Acupuncture

Learn how acupuncture can be used to treat endometriosis-related pain

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This is part of the  Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Endometriosis Series

There has been limited research on the efficacy of acupuncture for treating endometriosis-related pain. Current literature suggests that acupuncture has the ability to reduce pain and serum CA-125 levels. Higher levels of CA-125 have been reported in more advanced stages of endometriosis.

A systemic review found that acupuncture can alleviate the pain of dysmenorrhoea and reduce peripheral blood CA-125. As a result, the therapy could be applied as a complementary treatment for endometriosis-related pain. Due to limitations of the original studies, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Acupuncture may serve as a complement or alternative to these treatments. The pain-alleviating effects of acupuncture have been attributed to various physiological and psychological processes, such as activation of endogenous descending pain inhibitory systems, deactivation of brain areas that transmit pain-related signals, interaction between nociceptive impulses and somato-visceral reflexes, and the expectation of symptom relief.

- Effects of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Endometriosis-related Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Patients have self-reported using complementary and alternative therapies, like acupuncture, as an important part of their self-management techniques.

Resources

The following resources provide more information on acupuncture for endometriosis and pelvic pain:

Complementary and Alternative Therapies Series


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