Mind + Body Healing

Understand Your Symptoms

During your 45-minute evaluation, your PT will take the time to discuss your symptoms, the medical care you already have in place, and how pain and discomfort are impacting your day-to-day life.

Learn New Pain-Relief Strategies

Your treatment plan will be personalized to your symptoms, circumstances, and goals. It may include:

Manual therapy to relieve tissue pain and tension
Breathing and other relaxation techniques to help regulate your nervous system
Targeted exercises to improve pelvic floor muscle function
Movement strategies to reduce pain and keep you active

Go at Your Own Pace

When treating chronic pain, it’s important to go at the pace that’s right for your body. PT may take anywhere from 2-12 months, depending on your symptoms.

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We’re in-network with most insurance plans.

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What our patients say about Origin

"I found Origin when I was pregnant. After having my baby, I came back to do pelvic floor work. It's been a godsend!"

Stephanie S.

Separated Abs, Pregnancy

"After my c-section, I was experiencing core weakness, SI joint and hip pain, and tightness in my scar. My PT was incredible to work with and helped me meet my goals."

Sophie S.

Postpartum, C-Section Recovery

"I'm from France, where pelvic floor care is considered crucial post-delivery, and I was so happy when I found Origin. The team is knowledgeable, professional, and thoughtful in their medical approach."

F.C.

Postpartum

"I've learned great exercises and adjustments for daily movements to reduce strain and pain. I've been delighted by how effective the virtual visits are."

Jennifer S.

Low Back Pain

As seen in

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Endometriosis & PCOS Pain FAQ

What causes endometriosis pain?

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The pain of endometriosis can have several causes, including inflammation, adhesions that restrict the normal movement of organs and tissues, nerve irritation, pressure of endometrial tissues on surrounding organs and tissues, central nervous system changes that amplify pain, and pelvic muscle spasms.

What causes PCOS pain?

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It can vary from person to person, but some of the factors that can contribute to PCOS pain include ovarian cysts, pelvic congestion syndrome (varicose veins in the pelvic region), and severe menstrual cramps.

How does manual therapy help with endo or PCOS pain?

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Manual therapy for PCOS or endometriosis is intended to help restore the normal movement and function of the fascia, organs and muscles within your abdomen and pelvis. Your physical therapist may perform a variety of techniques including soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and myofascial release to help relieve pain and restore function.

How does physical activity help with PCOS?

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Exercise can help improve the hormone imbalances associated with PCOS, reduce painful inflammation, lower stress that exacerbates PCOS pain, reduce the negative impact of PCOS on cardiovascular health, and improve a person's psychological wellbeing. A physical therapist can help you feel confident and safe in beginning physical activity.

Who gets endometriosis and why?

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The exact cause of endometriosis is not fully understood, but some widely accepted risk factors include genetics, If your first period was before the age of 11, if you have short menstrual cycles, if you have heavy periods that last more than 7 days and if you struggle with Infertility.

Who gets PCOS and why?

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The exact cause of PCOS is not fully understood but many genetic and environmental factors likely contribute. Often those who develop PCOS may also have other comorbidities like insulin resistance or hormonal imbalances.

Related Conditions:

Relief from Painful Sex

Vaginismus

a woman sitting with her legs crossed in front of her

Endometriosis & PCOS Pain

The pelvic and abdominal pain common to both of these conditions can turn your life upside down. While pelvic floor physical therapy can’t address the causes of endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it can significantly improve chronic pain and support your bladder, bowel, and sexual function.

From movement and relaxation techniques to lifestyle modifications, your physical therapist can help you feel better in your body — and do more of the things you love to do.

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Treatments
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Endometriosis & PCOS Pain

Treatments

Endometriosis & PCOS Pain

Related Conditions

Dyspareunia

Lower Back Pain

Vulvodynia

Interstitial Cystitis

Vaginismus

The Gist: What Is Endometriosis?

Also known as: pelvic pain, adenomyosis

Endometriosis is a disorder where tissue similar to that found in the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found outside the uterus, often on the lining of the pelvic cavity, ovaries, or fallopian tubes. This can lead to adhesions, scarring, and severe pain. This tissue may also swell and bleed during menstruation. Studies show it may affect more than 11% of women between the ages of 18 and 44.

The Anatomy Of Endometriosis

The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus. Each month, it thickens to prepare for pregnancy, but, if pregnancy doesn't occur, it sheds itself during menstruation (your period).

The exact cause of endometriosis is not certain. Some factors may include genetic components, retrograde menstruation (blood flowing back into fallopian tubes/pelvic cavity instead), or surgical scar implantation.

Who Gets Endometriosis? When Does It Occur For Women?

The exact cause of endometriosis is not fully understood, however some widely accepted risk factors include:

Genetics
If your first period was before the age of 11
Short menstrual cycles
Heavy periods that last more than 7 days
Infertility

Surgery can also lead to endometriosis. After a c-section or hysterectomy, endometrial cells may attach to the incision.

The Origin Way: Physical Therapy For Endometriosis

At Origin, we look at your entire history and take a comprehensive approach that includes not only addressing the pelvic floor but also the way you move, your abdominal mobility, and even your breath. You and your Physical Therapist will create a plan of care that moves at a pace that is comfortable for you.

A typical plan of care involves breathing and relaxation training, as well as mobility and lengthening exercises to improve your pelvic floor and abdominal range of motion.

Strengthening exercises for the core and pelvic girdle may also be indicated. Manual therapy techniques may also be used, but they will be used according to your plan of care. It may involve manual therapy to the abdominal fascia or the pelvic floor, but you and your Physical Therapist will discuss all manual therapy techniques prior to them being introduced. Our goal is to never cause more pain by moving too quickly.

How Long Does It Take?

Because we are not treating the endometriosis but rather the associated symptoms, a plan of care can take anywhere from 2-12 months to provide some symptoms relief and arm you with the appropriate tools and strategies to use once your course of physical therapy is over.

What To Expect In The Future

Endometriosis is a lifelong condition. In physical therapy, we are not treating the endometriosis but rather the subsequent pain and symptoms. So, you will likely have continued symptoms in some capacity even after physical therapy. However, you will have the tools, exercises, and strategies to manage those symptoms when and if they flare up again.

Additional Reading And Sources

Wurn, Belinda F., et al. "Decreasing Dyspareunia and Dysmenorrhea in Women with Endometriosis via a Manual Physical Therapy: Results from Two Independent Studies - Belinda F. Wurn, Lawrence J. Wurn, Kimberley Patterson, C. Richard King, Eugenia S. Scharf, 2011." SAGE Journals, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.5301/JE.2012.9088

Buck Louis, Germaine M, et al. "Incidence of Endometriosis by Study Population and Diagnostic Method: the ENDO Study." Fertility and Sterility, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21719000

Treloar, Susan A., et al. "Early Menstrual Characteristics Associated with Subsequent Diagnosis of Endometriosis." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mosby, 22 Dec. 2009, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002937809019802?via=ihub

Peterson, C Matthew, et al. "Risk Factors Associated with Endometriosis: Importance of Study Population for Characterizing Disease in the ENDO Study." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4114145/

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The Origin Way

Mind + Body Healing

Understand Your Symptoms

During your 45-minute evaluation, your PT will take the time to discuss your symptoms, the medical care you already have in place, and how pain and discomfort are impacting your day-to-day life.

Learn New Pain-Relief Strategies

Your treatment plan will be personalized to your symptoms, circumstances, and goals. It may include:

Manual therapy to relieve tissue pain and tension
Breathing and other relaxation techniques to help regulate your nervous system
Targeted exercises to improve pelvic floor muscle function
Movement strategies to reduce pain and keep you active

Go at Your Own Pace

When treating chronic pain, it’s important to go at the pace that’s right for your body. PT may take anywhere from 2-12 months, depending on your symptoms.

Let’s Get Started!

Book Now

Common & Treatable

Roughly 12% of women have PCOS and 10% have endometriosis. Physical therapy has been shown to reduce pelvic pain with endo and can support physical activity to improve PCOS.