March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing the awareness and understanding of a condition that affects millions of women and adolescents of reproductive age worldwide. This painful disorder occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, leading to severe pain and reproductive complications.
“Endometriosis can profoundly impact a woman’s life, causing debilitating pain affecting her ability to perform everyday activities,” said Emily Kliethermes, DC, lead clinician at the Foot Levelers Women’s Health Clinic at Logan University Health Centers’ Montgomery Health Center. “Our goal is for women to feel heard and know that their symptoms are taken seriously by healthcare professionals.”
The Women’s Health Clinic employs a multidisciplinary approach to not only manage the pain associated with endometriosis but also improve the overall health and well-being of patients.
“Our treatment focuses on relieving symptoms by regulating the nervous system and correcting pelvic distortions that contribute to painful menstrual cramps,” explained Dr. Kliethermes. “We offer chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, nutritional counseling and more.”
The clinic utilizes the Logan Basic Technique, a gentle yet effective method for adjusting the pelvis and sacrum. This reduces nerve interference and aids in better uterine function, which can lead to less painful menstruations and a more regulated menstrual cycle. The hairlike needles used in acupuncture treatment stimulate the meridian system, a system of energy channels that run through the body, to help alleviate pain and promote overall wellness.
“Many of our patients report a noticeable reduction in pain and an improvement in their quality of life after beginning treatment,” added Dr. Kliethermes.
One such patient is Emilia Kristine, who has endured severe symptoms of endometriosis since she was 17 years old.
“Before finding Logan’s Women’s Health Clinic, I suffered tremendously every month,” Emilia said. “My periods were unbearable to the point of throwing up and passing out.”
Doctors recommended birth control, prescribed her pain medication and suggested a surgery that would require general anesthesia.
“I was not interested in surgery and the pain medication didn’t help at all,” Emilia explained. “But ever since I began receiving care at the clinic, the improvements have been like night and day.”
Not only have Emilia’s symptoms significantly reduced, but the personal care and attention she has received have been life-changing. She praises the clinic staff for their dedication to listening and tailoring treatments to her specific needs, a level of care she had not experienced elsewhere.
“I tell people all the time that the Women’s Health Clinic is the first place I’ve been to where people really listened to me,” Emilia said. “They truly care about me and want me to feel better. I’m not just another item to check off their to-do list.”