In this post we take a look at what endometriosis is, what the symptoms are, and what kinds of Abdominal Massage therapy treatments can help mitigate symptoms and discomforts related to endometriosis.
What Is Endometriosis?
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Endometriosis is a (sometimes painful) disorder where the type of tissue that lines the inside wall of a uterus (the endometrium, which during pregnancy becomes the placenta) grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can involve the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, bladder, and the pelvis.
Endometriosis behaves like normal endometrial tissue, that is, it gets volume, breaks down, and bleeds with menstrual cycles. Nevertheless, it has no option to exit the body normally.
It can also become a cause of cysts, scar tissue and adhesions. Scar tissue and adhesions may cause organs stick together, making normal movement and function of internal organs difficult.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
One of the primary symptoms of endometriosis is pelvic pain, usually associated with menstrual periods. In general, those who suffer from endometriosis experience pain (or more pain) during their menstruation period.
Other common signs and symptoms of endometriosis may be lower back and abdominal pain, pain during or after sexual intercourse, pain with bowel movements or urination, excessive bleeding, infertility, but also fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bladder problems, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
There’s also a strong association between endometriosis and infertility, because of the development of Fallopian tubes scar tissue and adhesions, and ovarian cysts, which can inhibit normal ovarian activity and egg growth. Additionally, an abnormal inner lining of the uterus can interfere with implantation of an embryo.
Endometriosis Treatments
Endometriosis treatments can be divided into treatments for pain and treatments to remove excessive tissue. Typical procedures consist of surgery, medication, hormone therapy, and/or massage therapy.
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Notably massage therapy can be beneficial to (naturally) treat the pains and discomforts associated with endometriosis.
Massage therapies for endometriosis are typically abdominal massages, those that work on the internal organs of the abdominal and pelvic cavity, specifically with a focus on the genital i.e. reproductive organs. Sometimes these types of massages are also called fertility massages.
Abdominal massages can clear scar tissue and adhesions, loosen up muscle knots, tangles and contractions, and enhance blood supply and lymphatic drainage. This can promote better nutrition of the reproductive and other abdominal organs, improved hormonal balance, relaxation of back and abdominal muscles, realignment and increased mobility of the internal organs, clearing of nerve entrapment, which all can finally result in less pains and symptoms caused by or associated with endometriosis.
Some popular abdominal massage modalities that can come to help to treat symptoms of endometriosis are:
Chi Nei Tsang Abdominal Massage
Chi Nei Tsang Massage, developed by Mantak Chia, aims at clearing energy blockages within the abdominal, pelvic and thoracic area and in the internal organs, thereby improving the unobstructed flow of blood supply, proper functioning of internal organs and vital functions, and emotional balance.
Karsai Nei Tsang Genital Massage
Karsai Nei Tsang, also known as Thai Genital Detox Massage, is a specialization of Chi Nei Tsang, and an internal abdominal and pelvic massage with a more precise focus on the genital organs.
Mayan Abdominal Massage
Maya Abdominal Massage is an internal organs and abdominal massage technique with the main objective to guide, realign i.e. reposition the internal abdominal organs into their correct, proper position to promote optimum functioning, health and well-being.
Mercier Terapy
Mercier Therapy is an abdominal bodywork modality created by Dr. Jennifer Mercier. It’s a non-invasive deep pelvic organ visceral manipulative technique for women to mobilize the reproductive organs, to restore a healthy blood flow and optimal pelvic organ function.
Mizan Terapy
Mizan Therapy was developed by Bushra Finch and is a traditional reproductive healing technique for men and women that focuses on guiding the reproductive organs back into their place.
Fertility Enhancing Massage™
The Fertility Enhancing Massage was created by Meredith Nathan. It’s five-part massage session series applied to increase the health of the pelvic and abdominal organs, and to improve the client’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Womb & Fertility Massage Therapy™
Womb & Fertility Massage Therapy was developed by Clare Spink. It’s an abdominal and sacral massage therapy that aims at improving circulation to the abdominal organs. This massage therapy specifically aims at reawakening and reconnecting women to their bodies.
Holistic Pelvic Care™
Holistic Pelvic Care was created by Tami Lynn Kent. This therapy is based on a combination of inter-vaginal massage, myofascial release techniques, trigger point work, visualizations and restorative breathwork, which aim at physically and energetically realigning the pelvis.
