Chronic Pelvic Pain in Females

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a debilitating condition that significantly impacts the quality of life of females. It is defined as pelvic pain lasting at least 6 months or longer, and stems from multiple etiologies, including gynecologic, gastrointestinal, urologic, musculoskeletal, neurologic, and psychological issues. Considering its complex presentation, CPP management often demands a multidisciplinary approach. This review describes the osteopathic approach to managing CPP. A discussion of the five osteopathic models (biomechanical, respiratory-circulatory, metabolic-nutritional, neurologic, and biopsychosocial) is evaluated, demonstrating how OMT can improve structural imbalances, fluid dynamics, autonomic tone, and mental well-being in females living with CPP. Integrating OMT with nonosteopathic approaches such as pharmacologic treatment, pelvic floor physical therapy, dietary-lifestyle interventions, and behavioral health support provides a holistic framework to manage CPP. In this review, we provide support for the role of osteopathic physicians in the multidisciplinary care of CPP and emphasize the utility of integrative approaches to optimize therapeutic outcomes.