A randomized clinical trial provided encouraging evidence that a protocol based on manual therapy can effectively reduce pelvic pain in women suffering from endometriosis. The researchers examined the impact of an 8-week manual therapy protocol on the clinical characteristics, quality of life, and emotional well-being of women with pelvic pain associated with endometriosis.

Overall, 41 female patients with a mean age of 36.10 (6.97) years and suffering from endometriosis-linked pelvic pain were randomly divided into two groups:

• Manual therapy group consisting of 21 participants
• Placebo group consisting of 20 participants

Both groups underwent the 8-week intervention. Prior to the treatment (T0), following the intervention (T0), at one-month (T2) and six-month (T3) follow-ups, various factors were evaluated including pain levels, lumbar mobility, endometriosis health profile, quality of life, levels of depression and anxiety, and the subject's perception of change.

At T1, the implementation of manual therapy resulted in significant improvements in physical quality of life, lumbar mobility, powerlessness, and pain intensity. These improvements in pain intensity were sustained at both T2 and T3. Additionally, both the placebo group and manual therapy group showed enhanced emotional well-being at T1. However, there was no notable improvement in terms of social support, self-image, or levels of depression and anxiety observed in either group following the intervention.

Manual therapy could serve as an efficient complement to gynecological interventions for endometriosis-related pelvic pain. By improving pain, physical quality of life, and endometriosis health profile, manual therapy offers promising benefits to women grappling with this condition.

These exciting results pave the way for further research and potential advancements in the management of pelvic pain due to endometriosis.

As researchers continue to explore additional interventions or therapies that address the emotional well-being of these women, the focus on manual therapy as a viable treatment option brings renewed optimism to patients and healthcare professionals alike.