Complementary Techniques

Apart from traditional and herbal medications, a wide variety of treatments are available to help ease chronic pelvic pain. These include:

• Acupuncture – Invented in China thousands of years ago, this practice involves putting long, thin needles into specific points along the body to relieve pain and discomfort. Acupuncturists believe that a healthy body contains channels through which energy flows. When these channels are blocked, energy cannot flow, and bad health can occur. Needles are inserted into the blocked areas to correct imbalances and open up the energy channels again. Acupuncture can be combined with electrical stimulation (electro-acupuncture). Trigger point release using massage and acupuncture may be effective. A number of clinical trials have shown that acupuncture can offer significant relief for people with chronic pelvic pain.

• Biofeedback – This involves using visual or sound cues to control your response to pain and stress. Learning to relax muscles and enter a state of calmness can help pelvic pain patients. Some also claim that biofeedback improves blood-flow to affected limbs, however there is no scientific evidence to support this. For pelvic pain, 80% to 90% success rates have been reported with biofeedback (use of a vaginal tampon that monitors muscle tone).
   
• Feldenkrais Method – The Feldenkrais method is a type of bodywork that uses gentle movements to promote personal awareness of the body, increase flexibility and improve coordination. One of the key philosophies of the Feldenkrais method is that there is no separation between the mind and body and that, as the body strengthens and gains new forms of movement, the mind will also strengthen and improve.Unlike manipulative physical therapies such as massage or Rolfing, Feldenkrais practitioners generally view the work as a way to expand one’s knowledge of self and promote the connection between the mind and the body. Classes – called “Awareness through Movement” – focus on teaching small, precise movements that can be beneficial to people of all fitness levels and abilities. One-on-one Feldenkrais is called “Functional Integration.” Many people find the experience relaxing and helpful. For more information, please see our full article on the Feldenkrais Method or visit www.feldenkrais.com.

• Homeopathy – This is an alternative, non-toxic approach used to treat illness and relieve discomfort in a wide range of health conditions. This practice is based on using the “law of similars” to cause a healing response. The law of similars states that a substance that will cause disease symptoms in a normal person can, when given in homeopathic dilutions, prompt the same set of symptoms to start a healing response. Homeopathic “remedies” must be prepared in a certain way. The dilution used will depend on the symptoms being treated.

• Hypnosis – This involves entering a state of altered consciousness, usually artificially induced, in which you focus your attention and awareness in an intense manner. It may be helpful to pelvic pain patients to learn self-hypnosis techniques to distract themselves from pain and/or to improve sleep.

• Manipulation – Chiropractors, osteopathic physicians and manual therapists most commonly do manipulations. Manipulation involves the movement of tissue by the laying on of hands. When done gently, it may be referred to as "mobilization." (Note: Do not undergo vigorous or "thrust"-type manipulation or numbness, weakness or paralysis may follow.) Doctors of Chiropractic and Osteopathy often do manipulations that are called “adjustments.” Patients often have short-term pain relief from this therapy. Many prefer these interventions because they avoid the possible side effects of medication or complications of surgery. People often can learn manipulation techniques that they can do at home in six to eight sessions. Dependence on these therapies for long-term pain relief is discouraged.

• Massage – This technique can help decrease stress and soothe tense muscles. Other benefits include increasing blood flow to the tissues and helping the muscles get rid of toxic waste. If massage is used, it should be combined with other pelvic pain treatments. Massage is often used for trigger point release and to help improve pelvic floor muscle control.

• Relaxation breathing – Breathing techniques help your body relax and take your mind off of everyday worries. Practice relaxation breathing by breathing in through your nose as you count to four, hold it as you count to seven, and breathe out through your mouth while you count to eight. It may seem silly or uncomfortable at first, but relaxation breathing will feel more natural with practice. Slow, steady relaxation breathing can help you relax tense muscles. Truly focusing on your breathing can help you break a cycle of negative thoughts.

• Visual imagery – This technique is the practice of using your imagination to create mental pictures that may help reduce stress and relieve your pain. Typically, this involves closing your eyes and picturing something in your mind. For example, you may picture a healing energy washing over your body, or the “wires” to the pain being cut.

• Yoga – Yoga is a great way to improve flexibility and muscle tone, develop good deep breathing and relaxation techniques and decrease stress. Developed 5,000 years ago, yoga is an exercise that focuses on physical postures called asanas and breathing exercises called pranayma. As with any exercise program, ask your health care provider before beginning yoga. Begin your yoga practice in a class where an instructor can help you learn to do the postures and breathing correctly.

• Over-the-counter herbal remedies – There are many different herbal remedies, but there is little research about the helpful effects of such products. Tell your doctor if you are using herbal medicines. There are certain dietary supplements and other remedies that contain active substances (e.g., gingko, ginseng, vitamin E) that may cause bleeding at the time of surgery or spinal injection procedures. If you take too much of certain herbal remedies, you may get irregular heart beat or other problems. Deaths have been reported as a result of some remedies (e.g., ephedra).

More Information

Acupuncture and Massage
Using Complementary Therapy to Relieve Pain
Rejuvenate Yourself
US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine