endometriosis

[jennessa]

Is there anything we MT's can do to help alleviate pain associated with endometriosis?  Any advice, techniques, experience with this?

[makingachange]

there is some thought that nmt along iliopsoas will help - anything to relax the pelvic floor will help whether it be yoga, pelvic rocking was an enormous help for me.
i also can't tell you how many times reiki (although i was NOT a believer!) worked miracles on painful ovarian cysts.  

depends on where the endo is and the stage. my stage II was on nerves & blood vessels in the cul de sac behind the uterus... very painful in low back with pain all the way down my leg.  it felt like it wrapped around my ankle.

DEFINATELY have thorough conversation or thoughts about where the pain is and how it affects the body (does it refer?).  

massage won't cure it, but it can certainly help with the symptoms.  and relaxing the area could very well lessen not only the pain but the damage caused.

good luck.

[Texas-gal]

I was doing a little searching on this and found out that this particular class may be of help:

Maya Abdominal Massage™
http://www.arvigomassage.com/courses.html

Symptoms and Signs of the Wandering Womb  
   Whether the uterus falls backward, forward, downward or to the sides, the signs and symptoms can be the same. They can be:    
   •  Painful or irregular periods  
   •  Dark thick fluids at the beginning and end of the period  
   •  Blood clots  
   •  No menstruation at all  
   •  Headaches, especially with the period  
   •  Dizziness with the period  
   •  Varicose veins  
   •  Tired legs, numb feet or sore heals  
   •  Lower back ache  
   •  Infertility  
   •  Endometriosis
   •  Endometritis  
   •  Uterine Polyps  
   •  Painful intercourse  
   •  PMS  
   •  Uterine infections  
   •  Frequent urination  
   •  Ovarian cysts  
   •  Vaginitis  
   •  Hormonal imbalances  
   •  Difficult pregnancy and delivery  
   •  Weak newborn infants  
   •  Premature deliveries  
   •  Difficult menopause  
   •  Cancer of the cervix, uterus, colon or bladder  

[makingachange]

has anyone had any success with clients with endometriosis lately?

i've been working with infrared heat, abdominal massage and the work through the personal coach as well and have had quite a bit of success, but am wondering who else is working in this area as well.

thanks!
amanda

[Vita]

I have stage 4 endometriosis which involves my colon, bladder and kidneys. Heat often helps endo, but in my case the heat starts to irritate my colon. The only thing that has helped me so far is the craniosacral pelvic work and gentle rocking motions. I also often receive reflexology which has been a tremendous help.

I personally can't handle any moderate-deep work in my lower back or abdominal area. I had a massage therapist attempting to "help" me during some very bad pain a week ago. I asked for comfort oriented massage and she continued to go deep and do nmt. I finally stopped the massage - and went home for two days of bad pain and vomiting. Granted, this is probably due to my extreme case, but just be aware other organs can be involved and very sensitive during certain periods of the cycle. Communication is very important.

[makingachange]

I personally can't handle any moderate-deep work in my lower back or abdominal area. I had a massage therapist attempting to "help" me during some very bad pain a week ago. I asked for comfort oriented massage and she continued to go deep and do nmt. I finally stopped the massage - and went home for two days of bad pain and vomiting. Granted, this is probably due to my extreme case, but just be aware other organs can be involved and very sensitive during certain periods of the cycle. Communication is very important.

you've got that right! there were times before my hysterectomy that you could just look at my abdomen and i'd be sick. i'm glad you're getting some help with reflexology - it helped me as well.

i was curious, too, if anyone had any luck with things a little more outside of massage, such as flower essences, biofeedback, hypnosis for the pain, etc. our personal coach uses a method of affirmations tied to physical pain and new thought patterns. thinking outside of the box can put new tools in your belt.

[Vita]

i was curious, too, if anyone had any luck with things a little more outside of massage, such as flower essences, biofeedback, hypnosis for the pain, etc. our personal coach uses a method of affirmations tied to physical pain and new thought patterns. thinking outside of the box can put new tools in your belt.

I do hypnosis, however it's not for the pain. This would be interesting to look into though. I go tomorrow for my session and I will ask if she's had any luck/experience using hypnosis for pain. If it's effective, it would be great for my Oncology clients. Interesting!

[AnastasiaB]

Sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time with endometriosis...... That stuff is the pits!

26 years ago, before my endo created such a problem that a hysterectomy was my last and only option, I tried myofascial release work, heat, cold [that was a horrid experiment that went way wrong!], over medicating for pain, and most of the other things that you have already listed.

From my own standpoint and experience, once it gets hideous to deal with there is very little that can be done, even with all the positive thoughts in the world and praying for and believing in miracles. Friends practiced "hillbilly healin'" -- a mix of laying on of hands and prayer, homeopathy, old time remedies for "lady ailments", etc. It would have been nice to not have had to undergo the total hysterectomy, HOWEVER, being totally pain free immediately after surgery was a godsend and I regret none of it.

[Vita]

[quote="AnastasiaB"]Sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time with endometriosis...... That stuff is the pits![/quote

You've got that right! :-)

In my case a hysterectomy alone won't work. They'd also have to resection the colon and rebuild the bladder and I'm not sure what they'd do with my kidneys. Several major surgeries is what we're trying to avoid. So they're giving me 1 more month to try to get preggers or they are going to chemically induce menopause (i'm 33). It has been a neverending problem. I honestly could live with the pain and would gladly take it over chemically induced menopause - but because the endometriosis is close to perforating my colon I'm running out of options quick.

But yes, when it's bad, all you can do is basically comfort-oriented things and bless you all that give comfort when it all acts up! :-)

[EgoMagickian]

Not exactly answering the OP's question, buuuut... I just read a column in Qi magazine by a woman who had endometriosis and healed herself with qi gong exercises. It took daily practice for 7 months before the pain went away, but she was thrilled.

[JLWmassage]

I wanted to bump this because I have a new client coming to see me for this. I know some CST and MFR techniques that may help but I am looking for some more ideas

[riversinger]

Wondering if Walt would have any helpful info to share? I would think the Mayan Uterine/Arvigo massage could help, but other than that so much would have to depend on the extent of the problem. I had a friend with this problem years ago & she went to one doctor after another before finally getting a correct diagnosis. Then they had to do some surgery to get rid of what they could & get things back in place where they should have been. After that it was a matter of putting her on hormone therapy. She had 2 successful pregnancies after that & no further problems with the endometriosis after that, so far as I know.

I've never looked it up, but would think that problems like this could arise from hormone imbalances. If that is the underlying cause then the client would need to look closely at their diet & other sources to see where the hormones are coming from. Most commercially sold meat & dairy products are a part of the problem, as are health & beauty aids containing parabens, then there is what form of birth control she's on - as this could be yet another factor. Of course this is all out our scope of practice, but is definitely food for thought!

[JLWmassage]

I have not seen her yet so I don't know how serve her case is. This is a referral from another therapist in my area. All I know is she has a lot of ADH's. I don't know if she is trying to get pregnant ect... And I was hoping Walt would throw in his So Walt if you are listening we need you over here

[cstobelmt]

Wow. I am currently a student (graduating in 3 weeks) and I have personal experience with this.

I have had diagnosed Stage 4 Endo since 1999. I have previously had 6 surgeries (and a stay in the ICU from blood clots in my lungs) and no permanent relief. I gave in and had a hysterectomy due to a 4cm mass behind my uterus in Nov 2009. I have had adhesions, bowel and bladder involvement each time they went in. The hysterectomy only changed my pain. I kept an ovary and my endometriosis invading the bowel. Well, I started massage therapy school September 2010 and two weeks prior I gut out gluten. Those are truly the only changes I have made!!!!! Getting 3 massages a week definitely helped me! Went to the doctor two weeks ago and he was impressed with how much better I am doing. Still believes that ultimately there will be a problem with the endo perforating my bowel, but if I can slow that surgery even once, that is great!!!!!!

[JLWmassage]

http://www.clearpassage.com/about/wurn-technique.php

I just had a new client ask me about this. Can anyone give me more infomation?

[nicmor]

I personally can't handle any moderate-deep work in my lower back or abdominal area. I had a massage therapist attempting to "help" me during some very bad pain a week ago. I asked for comfort oriented massage and she continued to go deep and do nmt. I finally stopped the massage - and went home for two days of bad pain and vomiting. Granted, this is probably due to my extreme case, but just be aware other organs can be involved and very sensitive during certain periods of the cycle. Communication is very important.

you've got that right! there were times before my hysterectomy that you could just look at my abdomen and i'd be sick. i'm glad you're getting some help with reflexology - it helped me as well.

i was curious, too, if anyone had any luck with things a little more outside of massage, such as flower essences, biofeedback, hypnosis for the pain, etc. our personal coach uses a method of affirmations tied to physical pain and new thought patterns. thinking outside of the box can put new tools in your belt.

I used to make my own flower essences with flowers from uk. I'm interested in making essences, make-up and soaps And I'm really sure that these biological products can help to relax and also help to recover. The body reacts to a good smell and some odors are good for health!
But of course it doesn't help everybody... it's a very personal thing

[GreenDragonfly]

A few weeks ago I actually had a woman pass out on my table after I did some medium swedish strokes on her sides I had to call the paramedics because I couldn't revive her.
She told me AFTER that that she had intense issues where she faints often because of the pain. I learned a valuable lesson also. wow.

[JasonE]

A few weeks ago I actually had a woman pass out on my table after I did some medium swedish strokes on her sides I had to call the paramedics because I couldn't revive her.
She told me AFTER that that she had intense issues where she faints often because of the pain. I learned a valuable lesson also. wow.

What kind of health history did you obtain prior to the session? Did she provide anything in writing? What kind of verbal intake did you do?

[GreenDragonfly]

A few weeks ago I actually had a woman pass out on my table after I did some medium swedish strokes on her sides I had to call the paramedics because I couldn't revive her.
She told me AFTER that that she had intense issues where she faints often because of the pain. I learned a valuable lesson also. wow.

What kind of health history did you obtain prior to the session? Did she provide anything in writing? What kind of verbal intake did you do?

I work at a health club. They don't do written anything. I do a verbal intake with every client. I ask about general health, if under the care of a physician and for what, medications, accidents/traumas/illness recent and in history. She did say she had endometriosis, and I've worked with ladies who have varying degrees of it but apparently never to this extent. She didn't tell me till afterwards she faints quite often from the pain or that any work anywhere NEAR the area can flare it up. I did not do abdominal work...

[WaltFritz]

Snow day here, patients cancelled...

Endometriosis, to me, is very much like many chronic inflammatory/pain conditions of the abdomen. I certainly do not disrespect the diagnosis one was given, but I evaluate by starting as if I did not know the diagnosis (a very helpful starting place, I believe). With ny type of abdominal/pelvic disorder, after clearing them based on medical testing, x-rays, etc, I do some gentle, simple single hand listening to the lower/mid abdominal region (see video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiAGPZYWBsA). This is the basis of most abdominal/pelvis work that I perform. There are many subtle variations, including adding a second hand tractioning under the sacrum, but the technique I've demonstrated in the video is what works well for me.

By nature, endometriosis is an ongoing condition. But, many women present with different symptoms, which is why I always act like I don't know the diagnosis; it prevents my treatment and eval from being clouded.

[pueppi]

...I do some gentle, simple single hand listening to the lower/mid abdominal region (see video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiAGPZYWBsA). This is the basis of most abdominal/pelvis work that I perform.

Great video and explanation of this type of work, Walt.

So much easier (watching)than something I could ever describe, but I find that you and I work similar. I don't use this technique often with the general clientele I have, but I have it for when I need it. I have basically picked up this technique somewhere along the way on my own, and never had anyone teach it to me, but I definitely hope I can take your seminars some day.

Thanks again for such a great demonstration. I am excited to find that you have even more videos.

[WaltFritz]

Well...I'm coming to the Dallas area this March