Ways to find relief: innovative endometriosis treatments with deep heat and physiotherapy

"It's just your period." "You must be exaggerating." "It's normal, don't be so sensitive." These all-too-often heard comments reflect the misconceptions and stigma surrounding endometriosis. Such trivialisations downplay pain and symptoms and isolate those affected. But the truth is that endometriosis is far more than just severe menstrual pain; it is a complex condition that requires serious attention.

Around 10 years ago, the first EndoMarch took place in the US - an international campaign to raise awareness about endometriosis. The term is a combination of the word "Endo" for endometriosis and "March", the English word for "marching" and "March". The month of March is now also a time when sufferers and supporters come together to raise awareness about this little-understood and often overlooked disease. In the following, we would like to highlight important aspects of endometriosis and discuss diagnostic methods and treatment options, including the role of deep heat and physiotherapy.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic disease in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. This tissue can colonise various parts of the body and cause considerable pain. It can occur almost anywhere in the body, e.g. on the ovaries, in the abdominal and pelvic cavity, on the intestines or peritoneum.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of endometriosis is complex and can be a challenge due to its multifaceted nature. Many years often pass between the first symptoms and the correct diagnosis. A detailed medical history is crucial to the diagnostic process, followed by palpation, ultrasound and, if necessary, laparoscopy. Specialists can now also diagnose endometriosis using imaging techniques such as ultrasound or MRI or a saliva test.

On average, it takes around 9 years in Switzerland before a diagnosis of endometriosis is made and patients consult around five doctors or hospitals. This may be related to the still scarce research results due to years of a rather male-dominated research orientation. In addition, it is still unclear what causes endometriosis in the first place. In another aspect, less money can be made with a hormone-dependent disease.

How is endometriosis treated?

The treatment of endometriosis depends on the intensity of the symptoms and the patient's wishes. There are both surgical and drug therapy approaches, supplemented by complementary methods such as physiotherapy or traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of complementary therapy approaches is to alleviate symptoms, reduce pain and improve physical and mental health. An important component of complementary treatment is the application of deep heat, as offered by the Calopad device. Deep heat can help to relieve pain and improve overall well-being.

Our Calopad® Care therapy solution combines classic with digital physiotherapy and uses deep heat for selective treatment to maximise therapeutic success.

What role does physiotherapy play in endometriosis pain relief?

Physiotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of endometriosis as it targets physical activity and muscle function, which is particularly beneficial for endometriosis sufferers. Regular exercise can increase muscle performance, improve the immune system and positively influence blood pressure.

Physiotherapy also supports endometriosis patients by promoting mobility and the ability to influence the body's perception and memory of pain. Physiotherapy can help to develop a deeper understanding of individual pain patterns and improve bowel mobility and bladder function through special exercises. In addition, muscular imbalances in the pelvic floor, such as too high or too low muscle tension, can be identified and treated. This is particularly important as a hypertonic pelvic floor due to persistent pain is common in people with endometriosis and must be addressed through targeted physiotherapy measures.

How can heat be used in the treatment of endometriosis?

Heat is a tried and tested means of relieving pain. Deep heat in particular, as generated by the Calopad device, can reach deeper pain points. This can relax the muscles and promote blood circulation, which in turn helps to relieve pain.

We spoke to Bianca, who has been suffering from endometriosis for several years. She struggled with severe menstrual pain from an early age and was not taken seriously for years. After unbearable pain and fainting attacks overshadowed her everyday life, a relative pointed out endometriosis to her. Trained doctors quickly recognised the disease and several operations followed, but the pain remained. After the birth of her dream child and further operations, Bianca remained a chronic pain patient. Today, she uses the Calopad to relieve the pain-related cramps and recommends it to other sufferers as part of her pain management strategy.

Endometriosis treatment is complex and needs to be customised. Due to the complexity of the disease, it is extremely important to improve our language as well as our understanding and response to the needs of people with endometriosis. Fortunately, with today's knowledge and technologies, sufferers can find hope and ways to significantly improve their quality of life.

Sources
https://www.endometriose-vereinigung.de/
https://www.endo-help.ch/
srf.ch/play/tv/themen/dokus