NEW: Endometriosis & Pelvic Pain Program
An individualized pelvic health program for women with endometriosis, adenomyosis & persistent pelvic pain
Pelvic pain can affect far more than your period.
It can change the way you exercise, move, sleep, work, have sex, and feel in your own body.
At COVA Physical Therapy, our Endometriosis & Pelvic Pain Program combines one-on-one pelvic floor physical therapy, hands-on care, restorative movement, and progressive exercise to address the pelvic floor and musculoskeletal problems that can accompany persistent pelvic pain.
Our goal: help you move with less pain, feel stronger, and confidently return to the activities you love.
Could this Program be Right for You?
This program was designed for women experiencing symptoms associated with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and chronic or recurrent pelvic pain, including:
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Painful periods
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Pelvic or abdominal pain
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Pain with intercourse
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Pelvic floor tightness or muscle guarding
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Hip or low-back pain
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Pain or difficulty with exercise
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Bowel or bladder symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction
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Difficulty relaxing the pelvic floor
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Fear of movement or exercise because it may trigger symptoms
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Difficulty returning to strength training, Pilates, running, or other activities you enjoy
You do not need to wait until your symptoms become severe to seek help.
WHY PELVIC FLOOR PHYSICAL THERAPY?
Endometriosis and adenomyosis are medical conditions that require appropriate medical evaluation and management. Physical therapy does not remove endometriosis lesions or cure adenomyosis.
But persistent pelvic pain can affect much more than the reproductive system.
Over time, pain may contribute to pelvic floor muscle guarding, altered breathing and movement patterns, decreased mobility, weakness, sensitivity, and changes in how you use your abdominal, hip and pelvic muscles.
Sometimes the body becomes very good at protecting itself—and has a hard time letting go.
Pelvic floor physical therapy allows us to identify and address these contributing factors as part of your overall care.
And no, pelvic floor physical therapy does not automatically mean doing Kegels.
For many women with pelvic pain, learning how to relax, lengthen and coordinate the pelvic floor may be just as important as strengthening it.
MORE THAN PELVIC FLOOR THERAPY
Your pelvic floor doesn't work in isolation.
It works together with your diaphragm, abdominal muscles, hips, spine and the rest of your movement system.
That's why we also look beyond the pelvic floor.
Your treatment may incorporate:
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Improve pelvic floor relaxation, mobility, coordination and strength based on what your body needs.
Hands-on Treatment
Individualized manual therapy may be used to address areas of muscle tension, mobility restriction and sensitivity. Options include strain-counterstrain, IASTM (Instrument assisted soft tissue massage), myofascial release, genlte joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, and therapeutic cupping.
Restorative Pilates & Movement
Reconnect breathing, core function and movement in a controlled, supportive environment.
As your body is ready, progress to building the strength and capacity you need for everyday life—and for the activities you want to get back to.
You'll have specific strategies and exercises to continue between visits instead of being handed a generic list of pelvic floor exercises.
Supportive Recovery Modalities
Recovery strategies may be incorporated when appropriate to complement your treatment and exercise program.
Your 8 week Program
This is not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Your program begins with a comprehensive 90-minute evaluation with Dr. Annalise Thompson, PT, DPT to understand your symptoms, goals, movement, strength and pelvic floor function.
Initial 90-Minute Evaluation
We start by listening.
We'll discuss your symptoms, menstrual cycle, medical history, exercise history, bowel and bladder function, sexual health when relevant, and the activities your symptoms are keeping you from doing.
Your physical assessment may include evaluation of your breathing, abdominal wall, hips, spine, strength, mobility and movement patterns.
When appropriate and always with your consent, a pelvic floor examination may also be recommended.
Your Treatment Plan
Following your evaluation, Dr. Annalise creates an individualized treatment plan based on what she finds.
The program includes 8 one-on-one treatment sessions, generally beginning with more frequent visits and progressing to weekly visits as you become more independent.
Your treatment evolves with you. As symptoms, strength and movement improve, the emphasis can shift from symptom management toward building capacity and returning to the activities that matter to you.
Our Goal Isn't Just to Help You Hurt Less
We want to help you get back to living.
Maybe you want to exercise without worrying about triggering a flare.
Maybe you want to lift weights again.
Return to Pilates.
Have sex without pain.
Make it through a workday comfortably.
Or simply feel like you understand your body again.
Your goals become part of your treatment plan.
At COVA, we believe women's health physical therapy should go beyond managing symptoms. We want to help you build a body that feels strong, capable and resilient.
Meet Dr. Annalise Thompson, PT, DPT
Annalise specializes in women's health and pelvic floor physical therapy with a unique background that also includes orthopedic rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, Pilates, and hands-on treatment.
This combination is especially valuable for women with pelvic pain because treatment doesn't stop at the pelvic floor.
Annalise can help you progress from managing symptoms and restoring comfortable movement to rebuilding strength and returning to exercise.
Most importantly, she believes women deserve to feel heard.
Your symptoms, goals and experiences matter. Your first visit isn't about fitting you into a protocol. It's about understanding what is happening in your body and determining what we can address together.
Program Investment
$1,545
Includes:
90-minute comprehensive evaluation
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8 individualized physical therapy sessions
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Personalized home program
All sessions are one-on-one at COVA Physical Therapy in Solana Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pelvic floor physical therapy help with endometriosis?
Pelvic floor physical therapy does not remove endometriosis lesions or replace medical treatment. However, it can address pelvic floor and musculoskeletal problems that may occur alongside endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, including muscle guarding, pelvic floor dysfunction, painful intercourse, mobility limitations and difficulty returning to exercise.
Can physical therapy help adenomyosis?
Physical therapy cannot treat the uterine changes caused by adenomyosis. It may, however, help address pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, musculoskeletal pain, movement limitations and other factors that can coexist with persistent pelvic pain.
Do I have to have an internal pelvic floor examination?
No. Your comfort and consent are always priorities. Annalise will explain why a particular assessment may be helpful, and you decide what is appropriate for you.
Is this just pelvic floor exercises and Kegels?
No. In fact, strengthening an already tense or overactive pelvic floor may not be appropriate.
Treatment is based on your individual assessment and may include pelvic floor relaxation and coordination, manual therapy, breathing, mobility, Pilates-based movement and progressive strength training.
Can I participate if I want to stay active?
Absolutely. That's one of the reasons we created this program.
COVA specializes in helping active people stay active. Rather than simply telling you to avoid movements that cause symptoms, our goal is to understand what is contributing to those symptoms and progressively help you build the capacity to return to the activities you enjoy.
Do I need an official endometriosis or adenomyosis diagnosis?
If you have persistent pelvic pain but don't yet have a definitive diagnosis, you may still benefit from a pelvic floor physical therapy evaluation. Physical therapy does not replace appropriate medical evaluation, and we may recommend coordinating with your physician or other healthcare providers when needed.
COVA Physical Therapy
Keeping Active People Active
You Deserve More Than “Just Live With It.”
If pelvic pain is changing how you exercise, work, have sex, or live your everyday life, there may be things we can address.
Start with a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Annalise Thompson, PT, DPT and find out whether the Endometriosis & Pelvic Pain Program is right for you.
Endometriosis & Pelvic Pain Physical Therapy in Solana Beach
COVA Physical Therapy provides one-on-one pelvic floor and women's health physical therapy in Solana Beach, serving North County San Diego and the greater San Diego area.
Physical therapy does not diagnose or cure endometriosis or adenomyosis and is not a substitute for medical evaluation or treatment. We collaborate with your healthcare team when appropriate.
Reach out for more information
We'd love to conncet with you!