« My Journey With Endometriosis (Part 1): The Background | Fingertips Home | My Journey With Endometriosis (Part 3): Customer Service »

September 18, 2007

My Journey With Endometriosis (Part 2): What It Is

Endometriosis is a condition whereby the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus is found outside of the uterus.

Endometriosis lesions can be found anywhere in the pelvic cavity: on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and on the pelvic sidewall. Other common sites include the uterosacral ligaments, the cul-de-sac, the Pouch of Douglas, and in the rectal-vaginal septum.

The primary characteristic of endometriosis is pelvic pain.

The pain often correlates to the menstrual cycle, but a woman with endometriosis may also experience pain that doesn’t correlate to her cycle. For many women, the pain of endometriosis is so severe and debilitating that it impacts their lives in significant ways.

Personally, I never felt that my menstrual cycles were outstanding or debilitating in a way that is characteristic of someone with endometriosis. My primary symptoms were back pain. In the later stages of my condition, I began noticing discomfort in the descending colon area. I began thinking that I probably need a colonoscopy because of my father's history with rectal cancer and my mother's history with diverticulosis. And even though I'm several years shy of 50, an early exam may not be a bad idea.

Over the years, as I studied visceral manipulation, I began to find some relief of my symptoms following my classes. The first such relief came from a therapist working with my sigmoid colon. Now that I know more about adhesions, it is likely that therapist freed my sigmoid colon from some structure it was adhered to. My second significant relief came from the visceral class working with the female pelvic organs (see My Continuing Education Experience: Day 3, May 25, 2006). In this class my uterus was freed from adhering to my rectum and colon. For the first time in years, I went days without significant pain.

This week I will be blogging about my experience with endometriosis. I will be sharing information about what endometriosis is, its symptoms, treatment options and my personal experience with the disease.

tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health endometriosis

Posted by linda at September 18, 2007 8:59 AM