Endometriosis Physiotherapy in Clapham

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere, often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and lining of the pelvis. It causes inflammation and pain, which can be cyclical or constant.

Over time, ongoing pain often makes the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles tighten to protect the area. This tension can become a source of pain in its own right, creating a cycle of tightness and discomfort that medication alone doesn’t always resolve. Physiotherapy targets this muscular part of the pain directly.

Chronic pelvic pain

Ongoing pain in the pelvis or lower tummy, not only during periods, is one of the most common symptoms, and is often made worse by pelvic floor tension.

Painful periods

Deep, cramping period pain that affects daily life is not “just a bad period”. Physiotherapy can help you manage it alongside medical treatment.

Painful sex

Deep pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis. Read more about painful sex (dyspareunia).

Bowel and bladder symptoms

Pain when opening your bowels or weeing, constipation, bloating or bladder urgency can all be linked to endometriosis and pelvic floor tension.

Back, hip and leg pain

Endometriosis pain can spread to the lower back, hips and legs, and muscle guarding can add to it.

Adenomyosis

A related condition where womb-lining tissue grows into the muscle wall of the womb, causing heavy, painful periods. Find out about adenomyosis physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy doesn’t treat the endometriosis itself, but it can significantly ease the pain and muscle tension that come with it. Your plan is tailored to you, but may include:

• Pelvic floor relaxation: breathing and down-training to release tension and calm the pain response
• Manual therapy: gentle myofascial release for the tummy, pelvis and pelvic floor, only with your consent
• Stretching and mobility: for the hips, back and tummy, which often tighten with ongoing pain
• Pain education: understanding how persistent pain works, which can reduce flare-ups and fear
• A plan for flare-ups: practical strategies you can use at home

Heat

A hot water bottle or heat pad on the tummy or lower back can ease cramping and muscle spasm.

TENS

A TENS machine, which uses small electrical pulses through pads on the skin, helps some women manage period and pelvic pain.

Breathing and positions

Slow belly breathing and positions that let the pelvic floor relax, such as lying on your back with your knees bent and apart, or child’s pose, can take the edge off pain.

Pacing

Planning your week around your cycle and balancing rest with gentle movement can help prevent the boom-and-bust pattern that often makes flare-ups worse.

Exercise can feel daunting when you’re in pain, but staying active is one of the most helpful things you can do for long-term pain management.

Why it helps

Regular movement can ease muscle tension, improve mood and sleep, and help the body manage pain.

Where to start

Gentle walking, swimming, yoga and Pilates are good starting points. Build up gradually, and adapt around flare-ups rather than stopping completely.

If exercise makes your pain worse

That’s often a sign of pelvic floor or core tension, not a reason to stop. Olivia can help you find the right type and level of exercise for you.

Many women with endometriosis have laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery to diagnose or treat it.

After surgery

Gentle walking is usually encouraged early on, with more demanding activity built back up gradually over the following weeks, following your surgeon’s advice.

How physiotherapy helps

Scar care once wounds have healed, easing pelvic floor and tummy tension, and a graded plan to return to exercise. If you’ve had a hysterectomy as part of your treatment, see our post-hysterectomy physiotherapy page.

Your first appointment lasts 60 minutes and takes place in a private, judgement-free room at our Clapham clinic. Olivia will:

• Talk through your symptoms, cycle, diagnosis or investigations so far, treatment history and goals
• Assess your posture, breathing, movement and tummy
• With your consent, carry out an internal examination to assess pelvic floor tension. It’s always optional and fully explained beforehand
• Explain what she has found and agree a treatment plan with you

If you think you might have endometriosis, see your GP. NICE guidance says endometriosis should be suspected with chronic pelvic pain, period pain that affects daily life, deep pain during or after sex, or period-related bowel or bladder symptoms. Diagnosis can take years, so it helps to keep a symptom diary and ask about referral to a gynaecologist if treatment isn’t helping.

Seek medical advice promptly for new or severe pain, heavy bleeding, bleeding between periods or after sex, a fever, or blood in your urine or poo. Olivia is happy to work alongside your GP, gynaecologist or endometriosis specialist.