Case Study: Pregnancy Post-Endometreosis

By Paul Doney - Chiropractor | Craniosacral Therapy & Myofascial Release

Endometriosis is a common medical condition characterized by growth beyond or outside the uterus of tissue resembling endometrium, the tissue that normally lines the uterus. It is also the second leading cause of infertility in normally ovulating women. Infertility occurs in about 30-40% of women who have endometriosis.

Jenny was a 33 year old woman who came to me with a complaint of chronic right-sided low abdominal pain associated with a history of endometriosis. She had had extremely painful periods from the age of 15. Three months prior to seeing me she had had a laparoscopy to remove a cyst on the right ovary and endometriosis that was also largely on the right. One week post-operatively she developed severe right low abdominal pain. CAT scans and other tests at the hospital had failed to find any problem however. Jenny’s periods in the 3 months since the operation had been much worse than before with very heavy bleeding and extreme pain for 4 days. She was unable to work at these times.

On examination, Jenny was acutely sensitive to even the lightest pressure in the lower abdominal area, especially on the right.

One problem that occurs with endometriosis and laparoscopies to remove it is subtle patterns of adhesions and scars between layers of connective tissue within the lower abdomen. These adhesions can produce acute pain, especially if there is any underlying condition that promotes inflammation. My aim in treating jenny was to significantly reduce her abdominal pain and hopefully make her periods more comfortable. My approach was to use a gentle technique called Myofascial Release that in effect performs a very slow, low force form of stretching into the adhered layers of tissue and organs in the pelvic region.

Initially I could only work at a surface level but over a number of treatments I was able to probe deeper into the lower abdominal tissue to search out areas of sensitivity and restriction to gently release them. Over a series of 4 or five treatments Jenny became pain free in the lower abdominal and her periods improved somewhat. The periods were having good and bad times depending on Jenny’s work patterns. By teaming with a naturopath to use herbs to reduce the inflammatory episodes and an acupuncturist to treat the periods Jenny became essentially pain free. She still requires regular acupuncture and the occasional chiropractic session to remain “normal.”

However, Jenny recently became pregnant and when she reached 21 weeks she began to develop the acute right-sided low abdominal pain that she had originally come to see me with. This was probably due to stretching of the remaining adhesions and scars in the pelvic region. These structures had been asymptomatic up to this point but with the stretching of the abdomen as the baby has grown they have been placed under renewed stress. Jenny responded immediately to a couple of treatments with Myofascial Release and then saw her acupuncturist to continue treatment. She will check-up regularly with both of us during the rest of her pregnancy to prevent a re-occurrence of her symptoms.

Leading chiropractor, craniosacral and myofascial release practitioner Paul Doney is a regular contributor to the much celebrated ‘Natural Health Booster’ fortnightly ezine with 1,000+ subscribers. If you’re ready to jump-start and optimise your health, wellbeing and fertility, get your FREE tips now at www.boostyourhealthnow.com or www.boostyourfertilitynow.com.

Paul has private consultations available, to make an appointment please phone Julia or Carolina on 1300 85 84 90.

Keywords: Chiropractic > Post-Endometreosis > Pregnancy