/ Health Concerns / Pregnancy Care

Back Pain & Pelvic Pain

Introduction

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is a complex condition characterized by persistent pain in the pelvic region that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. This syndrome encompasses a range of symptoms, including discomfort during urination, sexual dysfunction, and varying degrees of emotional distress. Various factors can contribute to CPPS, including pelvic floor dysfunction, psychological stress, and underlying medical conditions. As traditional treatments may not always provide relief, alternative therapies such as acupuncture have gained attention for their potential benefits in managing symptoms. Research into the effectiveness of acupuncture for CPPS has been growing, highlighting its role as a viable treatment option for those seeking relief from this challenging condition.

Acupuncture is superior demonstrating safety and efficacy, thus it should be considered when available (Chang 2016 – systematic review of 7 RCTs). Additionally, acupuncture is more effective in improving pain, voiding, and quality of life. It also provided better pain relief compared to medication, although it did not show significant differences in voiding and quality of life. Therefore, acupuncture should be considered as an adjunctive treatment for symptom control (Qin 2016 – systematic review of 7 RCTs).