Endometriosis

What it is

Endometriosis is a disorder where the tissue similar to the tissue that typically lines the uterus grow outside the uterus. This can be a very painful disorder that is typically exacerbated during menstruation.

How it is treated with physical therapy

This condition typically creates a great deal of guarding muscle spasms throughout the pelvic floor musculature. The pain of the muscle spasms exacerbates the pain from endometriosis. Therapy cannot eliminate the pain from endometriosis, however, by reducing the muscle spasms in the pelvic floor your overall pain can be greatly reduced.
Therapist will use manual therapy techniques to release this muscle tension. This involves the therapist using a gloved finger to work directly on the tissue. Most work for this condition is done internally.
Therapist will likely work other soft tissue involvement in the abdomen, hips, and thighs.

Your Homework

Therapist will teach you to perform all manual work on your pelvic floor at home. You will also be given relevant stretching and strengthening exercises as needed based on your presentation.
You are welcome to bring in your partner if they would like to learn how to do what I do in order to help you progress quicker with a home program. The long term goal is for you to feel in control of your pain. When you own it, it no longer owns you!

How many sessions

Your treatment can go on until you feel independent with working on your pelvic floor on your own. This varies widely from patient to patient. I have seen patients for as few as 3 visits, and for as many as 30.
I typically like to see this patient once per week so the muscle tension is less likely to return between sessions.