Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is characterized by pain occurring in the pelvic region for more than six months, and can be either cyclic or non-cyclic. It can be associated with various factors, including lower urinary tract, reproductive system, bowel, and muscular. CPP is more common in females than males, with a prevalence rate that may be twice as high. In fact, non-cyclic CPP in females has an annual prevalence rate that is as frequent as that of migraine, back pain, and asthma.
Acupuncture is a widely practiced treatment modality for various diseases, particularly in pain management. In a previous large-scale study involving 17,922 patients, acupuncture intervention was found to be more effective in reducing pain compared to sham and no acupuncture intervention for back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headache. A more recent updated analysis involving 20,827 patients has also demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture for non-specific musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headache, and shoulder pain.
A recent review analyzed data on the use of acupuncture for pain management in CPP from January 2011 to September 2022. The study involved 1,455 CPP patients, of whom 867 were females and 588 were males. These patients underwent acupuncture treatment, either alone or in combination with other interventions, for a period of 2 weeks to 6 months, with some trials also assessing pain levels during follow-up periods ranging from 12 weeks to one year.
The findings of the review indicate that acupuncture treatment, either as adjunctive therapy or monotherapy, is effective in reducing pain levels in CPP patients. This suggests that acupuncture treatment alone may have beneficial effects for the management of CPP, regardless of the underlying causes of the condition.
In conclusion, chronic pelvic pain is a common condition that can be difficult to manage. Acupuncture is a promising treatment modality for CPP and has been shown to be effective in reducing pain levels in CPP patients. The review suggests that acupuncture treatment alone may have beneficial effects for the management of CPP, and may be considered as a viable treatment option for patients suffering from this condition. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of acupuncture in the management of CPP.
References
Kent Yu-Hsien Lin, et al Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Mar; 11(6): 830.
