New, Different, Effective: Treating Endometriosis with Sinosomatics
- fjacobs6
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
New therapeutic perspectives for those affected
The relatively new complementary medical treatment method known as Sinosomatics offers new hope to individuals suffering from endometriosis. Unlike conventional therapies, Sinosomatics uniquely combines psychotherapy with body-based treatments, and has shown surprising and lasting effects.
Now, a group of researchers – including Prof. Dr. Florian Beißner, scientific director of the Insula Institute – has investigated how patients experience Sinosomatics. The scientists were also interested in how the patients themselves made sense of the positive effects of Sinosomatics on their own health. The defining feature of the method – psychotherapy combined with physical stimulation (such as acupuncture) – was widely perceived as both effective and meaningful by the participants.
Endometriosis: A Condition that Affects Every Aspect of Life
Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It affects approximately 1 in 10 women globally, although the number of unreported cases is believed to be much higher. Common symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, painful bowel movements, extremely heavy menstruation, and infertility. The subjective burden of illness is often severe, leading to major disruptions in both the personal and professional lives of many patients. Many of the study participants suffered from serious symptoms before starting Sinosomatics treatment, which significantly impacted their daily lives.
“It was so bad before that I had such heavy bleeding and pain every month that I even fainted a few times. […] I was really desperate,”
— reported one study participant (P3).
Conventional Medicine Often Falls Short
Standard medical treatment for endometriosis typically involves surgery, pain medication, or hormone therapy. However, recurrence rates after surgery are high [1-3]. Hormone-based therapies often lead to side effects such as nausea, weight gain, or decreased bone density, which makes them unsuitable as long-term options for many women [1,4,5,6].
There is a growing need for integrative treatment approaches that offer more holistic care and long-term relief [6,7].
The Far-Reaching Impact of Endometriosis
For the majority of patients, endometriosis has far-reaching effects on various areas of life. These effects are grouped into four main categories:
Life
Symptoms
Experiences with the healthcare system
The self
The first category, "Life," refers to social life, work life, and sexual life. The second category, "Symptoms," focuses primarily on pain and infertility. "Experiences with the healthcare system" – such as delayed diagnosis, treatments, and interactions with medical professionals – make up the third category. The fourth category, "The self," is a psychological concept that describes the internal experience of identity, self-awareness, and self-perception. This includes patients’ knowledge and understanding of their condition, as well as their emotional well-being and outlook on the future [6].
Sinosomatics is an effective complementary therapy that addresses many of these areas. The method combines hypnotherapy and mindfulness techniques with somatosensory (body-stimulating) approaches such as acupuncture. Sinosomatics has been scientifically proven to be effective in treating endometriosis, particularly in improving symptoms such as chronic pain and enhancing overall well-being [8,9].
How Patients Experience Sinosomatics
In a qualitative study, conducted with the involvement of Prof. Dr. Beißner from the Insula Institute, ten women with endometriosis shared their experiences with Sinosomatics. All participants had previously taken part in a randomized, waitlist-controlled study that included a two-year follow-up.
The aim of the qualitative study on the subjective experience of Sinosomatics was to understand how the patients perceive the therapy and how relevant they consider its individual components. It also explored how the treatment affected their physical, psychological, and social health – and how they made sense of these changes.
What Sets Sinosomatics Apart
Many participants were struck by how different the Sinosomatics experience was compared to conventional medical care. The therapeutic relationship was described as warm, open, and personal.
“At first, it was a quite new type of treatment. In the beginning, it was uncommon, but I felt good," — one participant explained (P 5).
The sessions combined acupuncture or moxibustion (a traditional Chinese medicine technique involving heat therapy) with targeted psychotherapeutic conversations. Patients described this integration of physical stimulation and emotional processing as unique.
“On the one hand, [the therapist’s] way of talking and focusing on the patient is very empathic. On the other hand, there is acupuncture, and there is this sudden feeling that something is happening in the body,” — the participant further explained (P 5).
Sinosomatics Goes Beyond Endometriosis
Most participants reported a reduction in their endometriosis symptoms– such as pain and excessive bleeding – but also noticed other improvements in their overall health. Headaches, migraines, circulatory problems, tension, recurring bladder infections, and susceptibility to illness were also reduced. Additionally, their emotional state improved significantly.
“[...] All in all, it is very comforting, on many levels. Not only physical, but also on an emotional, a mental level,” — one patient described her experience with Sinosomatics (P9).
The psychological burden of endometriosis is often underestimated. Many patients feel hopeless, misunderstood, and isolated. Before beginning Sinosomatics, several participants believed they would never find relief from their symptoms or be able to conceive.
A New Perspective through Sinosomatics
Sinosomatics helped participants see their condition in a new light and discover new strategies for managing chronic pain. They began to feel hopeful and empowered – rather than powerless in the face of their illness. They trusted that improvement was possible, and that they themselves could be active agents of change.
“[The therapist] has the talent of giving you hope even though you gave it up years ago” — one woman said about her sinosomatics therapist (P7).
The therapy strengthened patients’ sense of self-efficacy. They no longer felt like passive sufferers, but rather like individuals capable of influencing their own symptoms. They also improved their body awareness through mindfulness-based practices. This helped them better understand and respect their needs and boundaries – and assert them in relationships. The qualitative findings suggest that Sinosomatics not only helps women accept and manage their symptoms but also enhances their self-worth, inner strength, and resilience.
“[…] I have the feeling that I am making personal progress. In the way you look at some things, or how some things are put into perspective, or how you can mobilize new energy for yourself," —one patient (P8) says about her personal development in the course of the therapy.
Another study participant even found the courage to change jobs after the therapy – something she had wanted to do for years but never dared to attempt. Thanks to Sinosomatics, she is now thriving in a new position.
The interviews show that Sinosomatics does more than reduce physical symptoms – it can positively transform the personal and professional lives of women with endometriosis.
[Interviewer:] “Has anything changed as a result of the therapy?”[Patient:] “Yes. My whole life.”
Independent Research needs Support
The holistic therapy Sinosomatics was scientifically evaluated in part by the Insula Institute for Integrative Therapy Research. The Institute is non-profit and independent, dedicated to researching innovative, integrative approaches to medicine – especially women’s health.
To continue this important work and ensure that treatments like Sinosomatics are studied, refined, and made widely accessible, the Insula Institute depends on donations and grants.
Support independent health research – every contribution makes a difference.
Sources:
[1] Becker CM, Gattrell WT, Gude K, Singh SS. Reevaluating response and failure of medical treatment of endometriosis: a systematic review. Fertil Steril. 2017;108:125-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.05.004
[2] Guo S-W. Recurrence of endometriosis and its control. Hum Reprod Update.2009;15:441-61. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmp007
[3] Vercellini P, Corsignani PG, Abbiati A, Somigliana E, Viganò P, Fedele L. The effect of surgery for symptomatic endometriosis: the other side of the story. Hum Reprod Update.2009;15:177-88. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmn062
[4] Giudice LC. Clinical practice. Endometriosis. N Engl J Med. 2010;362:2389–98. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp1000274 [5] ESHRE Endometriosis Guideline Development Group. Endometriosis: Guideline of European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology; 2022.
[6] Young K, Fisher J, Kirkman M. Women’s experiences of endometriosis: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care. 2015;41:225–34. https://doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2013-100853
[7] Aerts L, Grangier L, Streuli I, Dallenbach P, Marci R, Wenger JM, Pluchino N.Psychosocial impact of endometriosis: From co-morbidity to intervention. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;50:2–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2018.01.008
[8] Beissner F, Preibisch C, Schweizer-Arau A, Popovici RM, Meissner K. Psychotherapy With Somatosensory Stimulation for Endometriosis-Associated Pain:The Role of the Anterior Hippocampus. Biol Psychiatry. 2018;84:734–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.01.006
[9] Meissner K, Schweizer-Arau A, Limmer A, Preibisch C, Popovici RM, Lange I, et al. Psychotherapy With Somatosensory Stimulation for Endometriosis-Associated Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2016;128:1134–42. https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0000000000001691
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