Pelvic pain is a common gynecological problem. It is not always clear whether there is a causality between symptoms and objective clinical signs (AWMF Guidelines, 2009), and therapies do not always achieve long-term results in resolving symptoms. Endometriosis specifically is a disease prone to relapse, with relapse rates estimated at 20 and 50% two and five years respectively after primary treatment (Guo, 2009).
Women with chronic pelvic pain very often have pelvic pain, pelvic floor muscle stiffness (Montenegro, Mateus-Vasconcelos, Rosa e Silva et al., 2010) – which is not found in healthy women without symptoms (Kavvadias, Pelikan, Roth et al ., 2013). There is significant comorbidity with the musculoskeletal system, which is not widely recognized (Ostensen, Schei, 1997).
Inflammation of the internal organs can cause musculoskeletal symptoms and defects and vice versa for the sonato-visceral and viscero-somatic reflex. Furthermore, functional limitation at one skeletal level may cause symptoms at a different level. These interconnections are defined as lesion chains (Langer, Hebgen, 2012).
In a study carried out in 2016 by Sillem, Solomayer et al. An osteopathic treatment plan was applied to women with pelvic color with endometriosis, based on muscle stiffness. The treatment involved the release of somatic dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system, in particular of the sacroiliac joints, followed by mobilization of the diaphragm and abdominal organs using standard techniques. The pelvic floor was released using the so-called “grand maneuver” (movement of the abdominal organ compartment in a cranial direction).
The treatment ended in many cases with the mobilization of the temporomandibular joints and the cervical spine.
This study demonstrated how osteopathy has been well received as a treatment option, and has proven effective. New studies are being produced on the topic by colleagues who have been working in this sector for years, and new results will soon be released.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to voice and speech disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts
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