Background: Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that affects numerous women but is still unknown to many. Common symptoms include severe menstrual pain and pelvic pain, as well as problem with infertility. It can take several years to receive a diagnosis, and for many women, finding an effective treatment is a challenge. The most common forms of treatment are hormonal therapy, surgical treatment, and physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy treatment may have a degree of pain relief, but the results are contradictory. A significant pain reduction and improvement in quality of life have been seen in women with endometriosis treated with joint manipulation combined with soft tissue techniques. 

The aim of the research: To study the impact of joint manipulations in the pelvis, thoracolumbar transition and cervical spine on pain intensity, function and perceived quality of life in women with endometriosis-related pelvic pain.

Methods: The research design was a case study using a single-subject experimental design with an ABA-design. One patient with endometriosis was treated with spinal manipulations at 5 times over a period of 8 weeks. Follow-up was performed at one and three months. Outcome measures were pain, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), quality of life, measured with the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30), Patient Specific Function Scale (PSFS) and Patient Global Impression of Change Scale (PGICS).

Results: No significant improvement in pain was seen, but a small change of minimal clinical importance was noted at one-month follow-up. A slight improvement in one of two PSFSs was also observed. No improvement on quality of life (EHP-30) was noted. 

Conclusions: Joint manipulations may have a certain pain-relieving effect on endometriosis-related pain, but no significant effect is seen on perceived quality of life or function. Further studies are needed to be able to validate the results.