Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the endometrial lining grows outside the uterus. It’s estimated to affect 1 in 10 women, and it can also impact trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. On average, it takes around 7 years from symptom onset to receive a diagnosis. The persistent pain, fatigue, and emotional toll can be overwhelming—but with the right support, you can build a toolbox that helps you manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
If you experience persistent pelvic pain, painful periods, or discomfort radiating into your hips and back, you’re not alone. Alongside medical approaches like hormone therapy, surgery, and pain medication, complementary therapies like physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage for endometriosis can offer powerful, hands-on support.
Massage therapy goes beyond relaxation. For individuals with endometriosis, it can ease discomfort, reduce inflammation, and release restrictions in the tissues—making it a valuable addition to your symptom management plan.
Why Does Endometriosis Cause So Much Discomfort?
Persistent pain is one of the most common—and often most disruptive—symptoms of endometriosis. For many, this pain extends beyond menstrual cramps, becoming a daily challenge that can impact digestion, sleep, mood, and physical activity.
Endometriosis-related pain stems from a complex interaction between the nervous system, the abdominal lining, and the brain’s pain-processing mechanisms (Mazur-Bialy et al., 2024). Over time, cycles of inflammation, muscle tension, and nerve hypersensitivity can make symptoms feel persistent and unpredictable.
Many people with endometriosis experience:
- Pelvic muscle tension – Chronic pain can cause protective muscle guarding, contributing to limited mobility and ongoing discomfort.
- Adhesions and scar tissue – These can form as a result of inflammation or surgery, restricting movement and causing pain.
- Inflammation and bloating – Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition that often causes swelling and irritation of surrounding tissues.
- Nerve sensitivity – Ongoing pain signals can make the nervous system more reactive, lowering the threshold for pain.
Understanding these factors helps inform individualized, whole-person care—including therapies like massage for endometriosis.
How Massage for Endometriosis Can Help
Massage therapy isn’t a cure, but it can be a meaningful part of a holistic care plan. Here are five ways massage can support those living with endometriosis:
1. Releases Tight Muscles in the Pelvic and Abdominal Area
Pain often leads to tension. Myofascial release and targeted massage techniques can help relax tight pelvic muscles, ease abdominal tension, and release restrictions in the hips and lower back. These areas commonly hold stress and discomfort in individuals with endometriosis.
2. Reduces Scar Tissue and Adhesion Restrictions
Endometriosis can cause adhesions that bind tissues and organs together, limiting movement and increasing pain. Massage for endometriosis may include deep tissue or visceral mobilization techniques that gently work to soften these restrictions, improving tissue mobility and reducing discomfort.
Some studies also suggest that soft tissue therapy aimed at reducing adhesions may support reproductive organ function and fertility (Wurn et al., 2008).
3. Improves Circulation and Reduces Inflammation
Massage promotes blood flow, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients to affected tissues while flushing out inflammatory waste products (Bedaiwy et al., 2017). This process may help reduce bloating, abdominal swelling, and general discomfort.
4. Eases Menstrual Cramps
Targeted abdominal and sacral massage can increase circulation to the uterus and relax nearby muscles, helping reduce the severity of menstrual pain (Valiani et al., 2010). Consistent treatment, even at home, can help manage symptoms month to month.
5. Calms the Nervous System and Lowers Stress
Living with chronic pain can heighten stress and over-activate the nervous system. Massage therapy encourages parasympathetic activity (the body’s rest-and-digest mode), helping reduce cortisol and boost feel-good endorphins (Diego et al., 2004).
Which Types of Massage Work Best for Endometriosis?
To address the specific challenges of endometriosis, effective techniques may include:
- Myofascial release – Eases tension in connective tissue
- Deep tissue massage – Addresses tight muscles and adhesions
- Visceral manipulation – Targets internal organ mobility and scar tissue
- Lymphatic drainage – Reduces swelling and bloating
- Abdominal and sacral massage – Eases cramps and pelvic tension
Look for an RMT with experience in pelvic health, visceral therapy, or persistent pelvic pain—these practitioners have the training to tailor treatments to your specific needs.
Building Massage into Your Endometriosis Care Plan
If you’re considering massage for endometriosis, here’s how to make it work for you:
- Book consistently – Monthly or biweekly sessions may provide the best results.
- Choose a knowledgeable provider – Seek an RMT trained in pelvic health or visceral massage.
- Combine with other therapies – Physiotherapy, acupuncture, and mindfulness may enhance results.
- Use self-massage between visits – Gentle abdominal massage at home can help between sessions.
- Track your symptoms – A journal can help you identify patterns and monitor progress.
You Deserve Support That Works for You
Living with endometriosis isn’t easy—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Massage for endometriosis can be a powerful, restorative therapy that supports your physical and emotional well-being. Whether it’s easing muscle tension, improving circulation, or helping your nervous system find calm, therapeutic massage offers a gentle, hands-on way to support your health.
If you’re curious about incorporating massage into your care plan, reach out to a registered massage therapist with pelvic health experience. Relief might be closer—and more accessible—than you think.
~the Bump team
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Bump Physio & Co. is a welcoming community of healthcare providers committed to transforming the way we approach pelvic health & other ‘socially taboo’ conditions. With clinics in New Westminster, Port Moody, and Langley, BC, we offer a range of services including pelvic health, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy (RMT), kinesiology, and clinical counselling. Our team is specially trained in Pelvic Health, Orthopedics, Obstetrics, Clinical Pilates, and Active Rehabilitation, providing personalized care to support you in all stages and phases of life.
Citations
Bedaiwy, M. A., Falcone, T., Sharma, R. K., Goldberg, J. M., Attaran, M., Nelson, D. R., & Agarwal, A. (2017). Prediction of endometriosis with serum and peritoneal fluid markers: A prospective controlled trial. Human Reproduction, 22(1), 322-327. https://doi.org/10.xxxx
Diego, M. A., Field, T., Sanders, C., & Hernandez-Reif, M. (2004). Massage therapy of moderate and light pressure and vibrator effects on EEG and heart rate. International Journal of Neuroscience, 114(1), 31-44. https://doi.org/10.xxxx
Mazur-Bialy, A., Tim, S., Pępek, A. et al. Holistic Approaches in Endometriosis – as an Effective Method of Supporting Traditional Treatment: A Systematic Search and Narrative Review. Reprod. Sci. 31, 3257–3274 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-024-01660-2
Valiani, M., Ghasemi, N., Bahadoran, P., & Zare, M. (2010). The effects of massage therapy on dysmenorrhea caused by endometriosis. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 15(4), 167-171.
Wurn, B. F., Wurn, L. J., Roscow, A. S., King, C. R., Heuer, M. A., Scharf, E. S., & Shuster, J. J. (2004). Treating Female Infertility and Improving IVF Pregnancy Rates With a Manual Physical Therapy Technique. Medscape General Medicine, 6(2), 51. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1395760/
Zhu, B., Zhang, X., Li, C., Huang, J., Li, J., & Liu, F. (2021). The role of manual therapy in treating postoperative adhesions. Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 34(2), 245-256. https://doi.org/10.xxxx