Visceral therapy in disorders of the female reproductive organs

Abstract

Dyspareunia is genital pain during sexual intercourse without constriction of the vulva or vagina. This is one of the most significant issues that lies at the border of gynaecology and sexology. Dyspareunia can be caused by endometriosis. Many women can also experience premenstrual syndrome, which can occur as a separate problem. All three of these can result from an imbalance between the female genital organs and their surrounding tissues with other structures of the skeletal or visceral system, with impaired mobility and motility of organs, intra-organ movement, vascular drainage, a pressure gradient between the urogenital and diaphragmatic cylinders, dysfunctions in the area of the broad ligament of the uterus, and fascial bonding. Apart from standard treatment methods used in gynaecology and sexology, physiotherapy (e.g., visceral therapy) is of great value. Visceral therapy aims at restoring intra-organ movement, reducing tension, focusing on the area of the two cylinders of the trunk, and supporting the functioning of the vascular system in the vicinity of the uterus. All these activities reduce pain and substantially change the functioning of the uterus and ovaries.

Physiotherapy Management in Endometriosis

“…It is also important to pay attention to muscle tone in the pelvis and thoracolumbar fascia, centralisation of the hip joint, sacroiliac region and the symphysis pubis [ 68 ]. Therefore, visceral manual therapy should begin with a postural analysis, as mobility abnormalities in the lumbar spine, hip joints and symphysis pubis are key contributors to muscle-fascial tension dissonance [ 69 , 70 , 71 ]. Assessment of the spine is also important, particularly in the thoracic region at the level of the 12th vertebra and the lumbar region at the level of the 1st lumbar vertebra and at the lumbosacral transition and the sacroiliac joint.…”

“…Uterine relaxation techniques are useful in the treatment of reduced uterine mobility. Additionally, these techniques aid uterine vascular drainage [ 67 , 70 ].…”

The Application of Physiotherapy in Urinary Incontinence

“…Manual visceral techniques can be used effectively in gynaecology and obstetrics for various dysfunctions in the pelvic area [49,50].…”

The Role of Visceral Therapy in the Sexual Health of Women with Endometriosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review

“…For patients complaining of painful intercourse, premenstrual syndrome, and painful periods, another treatment seeks to restore uterine broad ligament mobility [ 42 , 43 ].…”