Managing endometriosis pain: My top recommendations
As an integrated life coach and an osteopath, I’ve had the opportunity to support countless women suffering from endometriosis. But despite being incredibly common – it affects one in ten women of reproductive age – endometriosis is still so often misunderstood. Lack of clear information, delayed diagnoses, and hit-or-miss treatments can be demoralizing, especially when you’ve been living with truly debilitating symptoms.
But as more and more women talk to each other about their experiences with endometriosis. Patients are feeling more empowered to advocate for themselves when they interact with their healthcare professionals, and they are also seeking out ways to practice self-care.
Here are my top recommendations for managing endometriosis pain (beyond consulting your gynecologist).
Work with an osteopath.There are several ways a qualified osteopath can relieve endometriosis pain, from working with you to strengthen your pelvic floor, to helping to relax your trigger points, to showing you exercises and stretches to improve your blood flow. A good osteopath should truly listen to you, offering empathy and curiosity.
Choose anti-inflammatory foods.Favour whole foods like fresh produce and lean meats, and load up on foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as nuts, avocado, olive oil, and low-mercury wild fish; which can reduce inflammation too. Processed foods are not your friend!
Try CBD. A growing number of women report great results from CBD supplements, as they can help balance hormones and decrease inflammation. My go-to favourite CBD brand is Functional Botanicals.
When you can, move your body.You may not feel like exercising when you’re in pain. But when you feel up to it, try to get moving for at least 30 minutes a day. Physical activity can help reduce ovarian stimulation and estrogen production, which in turn can help relieve endometriosis symptoms.
Find ways to get a good night’s sleep. There’s no big secret: sleep heals. I advise you to get as much of it as you can! If wind-down rituals are your thing, make them a priority – whether it’s tea with valerian root, a bath with lavender and camomile oil, or just a simple, relaxing routine you stick to each night.
Explore the mind-body connection.Stress compounds physical symptoms, so it makes sense that mindfulness and meditation can soothe your nervous system and the intensity of pain symptoms. A certified integrative life coach can help you develop an action plan to keep stress in check and achieve balance.
Find your community.Online support resources such as My Endometriosis Team and Facebook groups to connect with others who have endometriosis. Your gynecologist may know of local groups you can join. Some of the profiles that I personally follow and recommend:
We are all gloriously different, and our bodies don’t all react the same way. It’s a good idea to experiment with various strategies until you find the combination that suits you best.
