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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffSeveral types of alternative therapies may reduce pain associated with certain medical conditions. Ask your doctor whether you should consider trying these approaches, and whether he or she can recommend a trusted practitioner.
Depending on the underlying cause of your chronic pelvic pain, if it's known, your doctor may be able to tell you how likely these alternative therapies are to relieve your symptoms. He or she also can let you know about any potential risks based on your personal health history.
- Relaxation techniques. Deep breathing and targeted stretching exercise for your pelvic region could help minimize bouts of pain when they occur.
- Biofeedback. This alternative therapy is based on the idea, confirmed by scientific studies, that you can use your mind to control your body. Working with a biofeedback therapist, you'll use special monitoring equipment that beeps or flashes when your body is sending cues that pain is on the way. As you recognize these cues, you can train your body to respond differently and decrease the sensation of pain.
- Acupuncture. During acupuncture treatment, a practitioner inserts tiny needles into your skin at precise points. Pain relief may come from the release of endorphins, your body's natural painkillers, but how this method works isn't known for sure. Acupuncture isn't safe if you're taking blood thinners or if you have low blood counts.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This approach may help improve localized or regional pain. During TENS therapy, electrodes deliver electrical impulses to nearby nerve pathways — which can help control or relieve some types of pain.
- Chronic pelvic pain. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/gynecologic/033.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Chronic pelvic pain. International Pain Society. http://www.pelvicpain.org/pdf/Patients/CPP_Pt_Ed_Booklet.pdf. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Pelvic pain. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp099.cfm. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Howard F. Evaluation of chronic pelvic pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Chronic pelvic pain. Rockville, Md.: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=10940&nbr=5720&string=. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Howard F. Treatment of chronic pelvic pain in women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 8, 2009.
- Gallenberg MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 16, 2009.
