Caused by abnormal migration of the endometrium (the tissue that lines the uterus) into the abdominal cavity during menstruation,endometriosis is a debilitating chronic disease that causes severe pelvic pain. These are triggered during rules but also during sexual intercourse, defecation, or in an unexplained way. Faced with these throbbing and tiring stomach aches, patients tend to slow down or even stop their physical activities, for fear of having more pain.
However, this is not necessarily the right way to reduce pain. Dr Delphine Lhuillery, algologist specialist in pain, explained to us the mechanisms involved in pain due to endometriosis, and the benefit of adapted physical exercises.
Inflammation of the nerves that creates tissue immobility
“Pain is never in the head, on the other hand the head has an influence on the pain feeling”, explains Dr Lhuillery. “If we have pain, it is because there is physiological information on the lesion that takes place in the body. This information will go up in the brain, which will make an analysis, a modulation, which will then reflect a feeling. Thus, on days when we are not doing so well, we have the impression of having more pain than on days when we are doing better. In short, summarizes Dr. Lhuillery, “the pain is not in the head but the head has an effect on the pain. “
Concretely, “the bleeding causes painful inflammation, but it is not the only source of pain”, assures the specialist. “Over time, we will have neurological micro-lesions, that is to say nerve endings which are as if suffocated and damaged by endometriosis, which manifests itself in neuropathic pain similar to sciatica (slenderness, stroke dagger, burns, …). It is an irritation of the nerves, which worsens over time in intensity and frequency. Metaphorically, Dr. Lhuillery likens the inflammation of the nerve to the match that then causes a fire: tissue immobility near the nerve. However, “a tissue which is immobile becomes painful. And this is the second source of pain, ”says the specialist.
Using our natural endomorphins through sport
In addition to the drugs to put out the match, in other words to reduce the inflammation of the nerves, “a dynamic body recovery is essential” to maintain tissue mobility and reduce pain. “And in this sense, the resumption of sport is fundamental, ”says Dr. Lhuillery.
“As soon as you have the slightest reduction in pain, reinvest a little time in gentle physical activities”, therefore advises Delphine Lhuillery. “As you move, you secrete endomorphins, the body’s natural morphines, stimulate pain control pathways, and ultimately distract your attention. Sports practice therefore has multiple benefits for the physical health of a woman with endometriosis, not to mention the psychological satisfaction it brings.
However, there is no question of going head-to-head in potentially painful intense physical activities. “You have to adapt your sport to your daily life,” says Dr Lhuillery. “The whole thing is to strengthen oneself, both physically and mentally, little by little. So if running hurts you, it’s best to start with a milder activity like walking. Little by little, the body readjusts to the movement, and we can hope to run again, at least in short periods of 10 minutes. “And it works”, assures the doctor algologist.
However, “we must not cause pain”, nuance Delphine Lhuillery. “Even if you only have pain the next day, you know you’ve gone too far, so you’ll have to fix things the next time. “
Read also :
Endometriosis, the taboo disease we must talk about
Endometriosis: all you need to know about the operation
Endometriosis: the hope of an effective treatment thanks to two molecules