Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) is pain in structures related to the pelvis (from the umbilicus to the gluteal folds of the buttocks) where there is no proven infection or other pathology to account for the pain. There may have been pathology, infection or trauma in the past.

Evidence has found that 15-20% of women, aged 18 to 50 years, have experienced CPP lasting for more than a year

A number of factors contribute to CPP as can be seen in the diagram below:

 

Dr Ruth Lovegrove Jones (2015)

Treatments may include:

• myofascial soft tissue techniques.
• acupuncture.
• specific exercises to stretch tight structures and strengthen those that are weak.
• advice regarding lifestyle modifications.
• education regarding pain physiology and movement systems.
• the use of dilators to retrain the pelvic floor muscles to relax for vulvodynia/overactivity of the pelvic floor muscles.