An Endometriosis Success Story
- Gaia Women's PT and Wellness
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
After years of suffering and multiple dead ends with healthcare providers, Sarah decided to give pelvic floor therapy a try. She had heard about our clinic and reached out, hopeful but hesitant after so many disappointments.
"Using the bathroom had become so frequent and emergent that I rarely left the house. It significantly impaires my life," Sarah shared in her initial assessment. But, as we worked together, it became clear this wasn't a new challenge—she had been dealing with chronic pelvic, urinary, and bowel issues for decades, issues that had simply become an unwelcome part of her daily existence.
A Lifetime of Endometriosis Symptoms
Sarah recalled being so ill and in pain from her menstrual cycles as a young girl that she would miss school. Over the years, she made significant lifestyle changes in search of relief, eliminating gluten and dairy from her diet. She sought care from gastroenterologists, OB-GYNs, naturopaths, and holistic healers. Despite these efforts, she remained uncomfortable most days of the month, visiting the bathroom as many as 16 times daily.
What was particularly remarkable about Sarah's story was her resilience. Despite these challenges, she had built an impressive career, working her way up through a large company to become a franchise owner. She maintained a bi-coastal lifestyle, flying several times a month while managing her business and personal relationships.
Yet beneath this outward success, Sarah was quietly restricting her life. To minimize discomfort and reduce bathroom trips, she avoided certain foods, activities, and unpredictable situations. The anxiety around air travel—being unable to leave her seat or finding the airplane bathroom occupied—was intensifying her physical and emotional distress cycle.
Our Collaborative Approach to Endometriosis
Based on Sarah's examination and initial sessions, we identified several key issues:
Muscle tension in her pelvic floor, abdominals, back muscles, and glutes
Decreased joint mobility in her hips, spine, pelvis, and tailbone
Shallow breathing patterns affecting her pelvic floor and core
High pain and stress contributing to GI distress and nervous system overwhelm
Muscle weakness
Bathroom behaviors perpetuating her frequency and urgency cycle
Restrictive eating patterns providing only temporary relief
Our treatment plan was comprehensive and personalized:
Deep breathing exercises to reduce muscle tension and calm her nervous system
Therapeutic massage for her pelvic floor, back, abdominals, and hip regions
Mobility and stretching techniques to improve joint function and movement patterns
Joint mobilizations combining physical therapy and chiropractic approaches
Bathroom behavior modifications, including breathing techniques and tools like a Squatty Potty
Nutritional guidance focused on long-term health rather than short-term symptom control
Progress and a Turning Point in the Endometriosis Journey
Sarah began seeing significant improvements, reporting feeling "75% better 75% of the time." However, she continued experiencing cyclical symptoms—the week before and during her menstrual cycle brought a return of GI upset, bowel and bladder urgency, incomplete emptying, and low back pain.
Given this pattern and her history, we suspected underlying endometriosis might be contributing to her symptoms. Though Sarah didn't present with the "typical" heavy bleeding and painful periods, she had strong bladder and bowel symptoms—often overlooked manifestations of endometriosis. She mentioned her sister had been diagnosed with endometriosis, and she suspected her mother may have experienced it as well.
We referred Sarah to an endometriosis specialist who agreed her symptoms were consistent with this condition. After surgical exploration and excision, the diagnosis was confirmed: Sarah had extensive endometriosis lesions on her bowel and throughout her pelvic cavity.
Post-Endometriosis Excision Surgery: Recovery and Healing
Following surgery on the West Coast, we began with virtual sessions two weeks post-operation. These sessions focused on pain management, appropriate movement and rest guidelines, breathwork, posture education, and self-care strategies.
When Sarah returned to our clinic, we resumed hands-on treatment with:
Gentle massage and stretching
Abdominal massage techniques
Updated toileting practices
Nutritional support and eating habit guidance
Manual therapies for joints and muscles
Progressive mobility and strengthening exercises
A crucial aspect of Sarah's recovery was what she called "re-learning her body's signals." She worked diligently on managing her nervous system response when experiencing occasional abdominal pain, using breathing techniques, self-talk, and nervous system regulation strategies to remind her body it was safe and healing.
A New Chapter: Life on the Other Side of Endometriosis
Approximately six months after surgery, Sarah had transformed her relationship with her body. She had retrained her bladder and bowel habits, developed trust in her body's signals, healed her gut, and returned to exercise and travel. Most importantly, she resumed the activities she loved with her husband—hiking, camping, and even flying in their private plane!
Hope for Others with Endometriosis
Every patient's journey is unique, but Sarah's story demonstrates the power of perseverance and the importance of finding the right healthcare provider. Her experience highlights how pelvic floor therapy can be a vital component of a comprehensive treatment approach, especially when combined with proper medical diagnosis and intervention.
If you're struggling with pelvic health issues, remember that Sarah once thought her symptoms were just "part of life." Today, she lives with freedom and confidence. Health is indeed a journey, but healing is possible.
Are you ready to start on your journey? Check us out HERE
Other resources for gathering information and finding providers include:
