Complementary and alternative treatments for chronic pelvic pain

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Pain Management
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a prevalent condition with diverse etiologies affecting both genders.
• Treatment options for CPP are numerous, highlighting the need for comprehensive therapeutic strategies.
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is increasingly utilized, prompting investigation into its role in managing CPP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the efficacy of various CAM practices for treating chronic pelvic pain.
• To synthesize findings from recent literature on CAM interventions for CPP.
• To provide an overview of the current evidence base for CAM in CPP management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of English-language studies.
• PubMed database search conducted for relevant research.
• Inclusion criteria focused on studies published between January 2007 and August 2012.

Main Results:

• Analysis of recent studies investigating CAM efficacy in CPP treatment.
• Identification of specific CAM modalities showing potential benefits for CPP.
• Summary of the evidence supporting CAM interventions for chronic pelvic pain.

Conclusions:

• CAM practices represent a potential avenue for CPP management.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role and effectiveness of CAM in CPP.
• Integrating CAM into treatment plans may offer additional benefits for patients with chronic pelvic pain.