Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
Chronic pelvic pain is pain that persists or repeatedly returns in the pelvis. It may be felt in the lower abdomen, bladder, vagina, vulva, perineum, rectum, groin or lower back.
There may be no single structure responsible for the pain.
Instead, several factors can become involved — muscles, nerves, bladder, bowel, reproductive organs and the nervous system. Over time, persistent pain can make the nervous system increasingly sensitive, meaning that sensations which were previously tolerated may become painful.
This is one one reason why chronic pelvic pain can continue even after the original trigger has disappeared.
How Chinese herbal medicine can help
Chinese herbal medicine takes a whole-person approach to chronic pain.
Treatment can aim to improve circulation, reduce inflammatory symptoms, relax muscular tension, support digestion and sleep, and reduce the body's tendency to remain in a state of heightened sensitivity.
Because chronic pelvic pain can involve several interacting systems, treatment focuses on identifying and addressing the particular combination of factors present in each individual.