When we started reading the articles about using a “hands on” therapy to treat endometriosis and fibroids, we really started to look deeper.  We get a lot of letters from women who have breast problems and a good many of them have also had these issues. One of the key principles of breast health in Chinese Medicine is that there is always an imbalance in the reproductive organs before there can be a problem in the breasts.  Our experience has shown us that this is true at least 90% of the time.

This article was referenced from Clear Passage.  They have a very specific training for physical therapists to help not only with these pain issues, but also with fertility issues.  Their website is www.clearpassage.com.  This information brought me to the Myofascial Release technique (which is a similar technique that is widely taught to massage therapists and physical therapists).

I suppose I personally became fascinated with this topic because I have had an “issue” in my left pelvis for about ten years.  Incidentally it is the left breast that swells during menses or gets a lump from coffee and has led to a great deal of my study about breast health.  I always had a sense that the two issues were connected, but I had never found a explanation that made real sense to me.

When I started Myofascial Release treatments, I could feel the connection between the pelvis and the breast and as my pelvis opened, my breast felt less and less symptomatic.  Now I had plenty of ways to get my breast feeling better in the moment, but this actually seemed to get to the root of the problem. 

I was, am totally in awe of this technique and the gentle nature of it’s principles.  It is empowering to work with people and let their body guide the process, respecting the principle of “homeostasis”, that is – the body is always trying to create balance.

We have talked a lot on this website about the emotional issues that women hold in their breast.  We could publish a book on the things we hold in our pelvis!  Sexual trauma, sexual issues, image issues, worth issues, money issues, survival issues, you name it…  I’ll leave it to you to find your own.

The idea of treating pelvic pain issues by using internal fascial release techniques is well documented.  I will refer you to the Stanford Protocol in the book, Headache in your Pelvis.

So forgive my enthusiasm, but I am guessing that a few of you also have these issues and I encourage you to explore treatment. 

If you are in Florida, there is the Clear Passage Treatment Center or anywhere else you can refer to a Myofascial Release therapist.  (www.myofascialrelease.com if you don’t see someone there, call the 800 number and ask for a referral.

See the articles below from Clear Passage and then on the next page we will teach you how to do myofascial release in your breast.

Treating endometriosis pain with a manual pelvic physical therapy

Wurn LJ, Wurn BF, King CR, Roscow AS, Scharf ES, Shuster JJ

Fertility and Sterility , September 2006

Eighteen patients with endometriosis confirmed via laparoscopy or laparotomy and reporting pain with intercourse, ovulation, pre-menstruation, and/or menstruation received a series of manual pelvic physical therapy sessions designed to address restricted soft tissue mobility due to micro-adhesions and adhesions. The primary outcome measures were post-test vs. pretest scores on various pain scales (i.e., each patient acted as her own control).

Follow-up tests six weeks after the last therapy session showed improvements in all areas, with the greatest pain decreases during menstruation and intercourse – typically the most painful times. Sixty-one percent (61%) of the women reported decreased pain with menstruation and sixty-nine percent (69%) reported lower to totally eliminated pain with intercourse. Thirty-nine percent (39%) experienced decreased pre-menstrual pain and fifty percent (50%) reported decreased pain with ovulation.

The Wilcoxon Sign-Rank Test (2-sided) showed a statistically significant improvement in sexual intercourse pain (dyspareunia) and in the total difference at all three phases of the cycle, including pre-menstruation, menstruation and ovulation (P = 0.014). Decreased menstrual pain was significant (P = 0.008), and decreased sexual intercourse pain was also significant (P = 0.001).

Just as an aside, we find a lot of women have this issue too!  Stress incontinence, especially if there are known fascial issues can be helped by this method too.

Improving sexual function in patients with endometriosis via a pelvic physical therapy

Wurn LJ, Wurn BF, King CR, Roscow AS, Scharf ES, Shuster JJ

Fertility and Sterility , September 2006

Fourteen patients with endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy or laparotomy and decreased sexual function received a series of manual pelvic physical therapy sessions designed to address restricted soft tissue mobility. Each underwent pre-therapy testing, then a post-therapy test six weeks after treatment. Each acted as her own control.

Outcome measures were post vs. pre-treatment test scores on the validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) full scale and on the six individual domains (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain).

Six weeks after therapy, intercourse pain decreased or was eliminated in 93% of the participants after therapy. In addition, desire (libido) increased in 71% of the women. Orgasms improved in 64% of participants, with some women reporting first-time-ever orgasms after returning home. Lubrication improved in 79%, while 86% had increased arousal, and 71% had increased satisfaction after therapy.

The Wilcoxon Sign-Rank Test (2-sided) showed a statistically significant improvement (P =<0.001) on the full scale score, and all six individual domains: Desire (P = 0.011); Arousal (P = 0.004); Lubrication (P = 0.001); Orgasm (P = 0.004); Satisfaction (P = 0.005); and Pain (P <0.001).

Oh we still have more, including the instructions on self treatment.  press here