Holistic Care for Endometriosis

By Bridget Backhouse

Naturopath Bridget Backhouse understands the importance of treating chronic illness holistically, focusing not only on symptoms but the person as a whole to promote health and wellbeing. In this blog she takes us through some top tips for treating endometriosis holistically and why this approach is important. Bridget is a Victoria based naturopath and her practice Earthly Health Naturopathy has many areas of interest, including women’s health and all things endo, adeno and PCOS.

WHY HOLISTIC CARE IS IMPORTANT IF YOU HAVE ENDO

When approaching chronic conditions such as endometriosis, PCOS, adenomysis (or any ongoing reproductive condition!), naturopaths can be immeasurably valuable because of their ability to offer holistic care. Here’s why it’s so important to have that approach…

Reducing inflammation

A lot of the management of endometriosis symptoms comes down to controlling inflammation – recognizing triggers and reducing its prevalence in your body. One of the key sources of inflammation comes from our diet, triggering immune reactions, gut symptoms and endo flare ups. Inflammatory foods can include

  • Processed and refined carbohydrates

  • Dairy products

  • Trans-fats and fast food

  • Alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks (1)

  • Gluten and wheat (2)

… and so many more. It is important to work with a naturopath to identify your triggers and remove them from your diet and replace them with beneficial, anti-inflammatory options instead! These include:

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables (1,2)

  • Sources of good healthy fats like fish, nuts and oils (1)

  • Adequate protein sources

  • Antioxidants (2)

  • Optimum micronutrient intake (2)

Energy production and mental health support

What about just being able to cope, day-to-day? Actually having the ability to get up in the morning and cope with the stress of work, uni or appointments is vital to feeling “normal”. Naturopaths address the following concerns with a detailed treatment plan… 

  • Adequate nutrition for energy production

  • Stress support to reduce the impact on your health (3)

  • Good quality sleep to support energy, healing and recovery (3)

  • Movement and exercise at a level you’re comfy with

This is all part of the holistic approach to your health.

Advice on supplements

Have you tried to self-prescribe supplements from the chemist? Tried them once and didn’t see the benefit? Yeah, haven’t we all. The benefit of seeing a qualified and educated practitioner means that you’re getting tailored advice on what supplements are necessary for YOU. ‘Practitioner-only’ supplements ensure quality, meaning that you’re getting the dosage that you need, the form of nutrient or herb that’s best for you AND you’re not wasting money on unnecessary products that end up sitting on a shelf. 

Treating you as a whole person, not just your condition. 

You are so much more than your diagnosis and your symptoms are uniquely your own. Naturopaths will…

  • Work in a complementary way to support your medical treatment (4)

  • Address underlying triggers and causes instead of putting a bandaid over your symptoms. 

  • Create a multi-system treatment plan to heal the body as a whole

  • Treat your other concerns and symptoms alongside your condition (4)

  • Work at a pace and within a budget that suits you

So take the leap. Invest in creating a whole support team around you and include the holistic approach of a naturopath to manage your health. 

Bridget Backhouse - Naturopath

Earthly Health Naturopathy

REFERENCES

  1. Parazzini, F., Viganò, P., Candiani, M., & Fedele, L. (2013). Diet and endometriosis risk: A literature review. Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 26(4), 323-336. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.12.011

  2. Halpern, G., Schor, E., & Kopelman, A. (2015). Nutritional aspects related to endometriosis. Revista Da Associação Médica Brasileira, 61(6), 519-523. doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.61.06.519

  3. Buggio, L., Barbara, G., Facchin, F., Frattaruolo, M., Aimi, G., & Berlanda, N. (2017). Self-management and psychological-sexological interventions in patients with endometriosis: strategies, outcomes, and integration into clinical care. International Journal Of Women's Health, Volume 9, 281-293. doi: 10.2147/ijwh.s119724

  4. Reid, R., Steel, A., Wardle, J., & Adams, J. (2019). Naturopathic Medicine for the Management of Endometriosis, Dysmenorrhea, and Menorrhagia: A Content Analysis. The Journal Of Alternative And Complementary Medicine, 25(2), 202-226. doi: 10.1089/acm.2018.0305

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