title: Using integrative therapies to treat women with chronic pelvic pain.
abstract: Chronic pelvic pain is a common gynecologic complaint, affecting about 5% of American women. The differential diagnosis is broad, including many medical diseases, surgical indications, musculoskeletal problems, and somatic dysfunctions. Women are more affected than men by pelvic pain because their bodies are subject to more changes. These changes include a cyclic hormonal milieu, major alterations in biomechanics during pregnancy, psychosocial stress, and other modifications during and after childrearing, and more adjustments during menopause. Both medical and surgical approaches to management exist, but integrative modes of therapy address the body-mind-spirit continuum. Osteopathic manipulative treatment is a valuable option for many affected women from childbirth to menopause.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Women's and Child Health, A. T. Still University-Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, 800 W Jefferson St, Kirksville, MO 63501-1443, USA. mtettambel@atsu.edu
authors.forename: Melicien A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tettambel
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology; D026301:Manipulation, Osteopathic; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013315:Stress, Psychological