Rebecca Patton, PT, DPT

If I suspect endo based on their symptoms, my main priority is getting them to an endo specialist for a formal diagnosis and surgery.

That can take a few months for them to get paperwork together and finally see the specialist. In that time during physical therapy, we focus on pain management.

This is typically in a calm environment (dim lighting and meditation tones are helpful to relax the nervous system). I provide an environment that helps downtrain the CNS with visceral and nerve mobilization, passive mobility, and breathing techniques.

After surgery,
It depends on the person and their individual goals. Some want to continue visceral mobility. Some want to focus on pelvic floor retraining and possibly integrating dilators. Some are trying to manage bowel and bladder symptoms.
Others are trying to get back to exercise or recreational activities.

I use dry needling if appropriate and if I feel someone’s nervous system will respond well.

Improving management of bowel and bladder hygiene can be accomplished through pelvic floor retraining, breath work, CNS down training, visceral and fascism mobility and getting back to joyful activities.

Interdisciplinary care and communication is important and can involve the surgeon/specialist, GYN, PCP, nutritionist, acupuncturist, GI/colorectal doc, or urogynecologist just to name a few.

I try to help my patients navigate this complex system so they can prioritize their care and not feel as overwhelmed.

The most important thing I have learned is that although endo can have a lot of similar symptoms, every patient is individual in their goals, factors that exacerbate their symptoms, activity tolerance and overall lifestyle. I try to meet them where they are at for treatment and goals may change over time.