Ep. 84 Personalizing Pelvic Pain Treatment: Tools and Challenges with Dr. Frank Tu

What if surgery isn’t the only answer to pelvic pain? In this episode of the BackTable podcast, host Dr. Mark Hoffman and co-host Dr. Amy Park welcome Dr. Frank Tu, Vice Chair for Quality at Endeavor Health and Director of the Division of Gynecological Pain and Minimally Invasive Surgery. The episode explores the complexity of chronic pelvic pain, emphasizing its multifactorial origins and individualized treatment approaches.---SYNPOSISDr. Tu shares insights into the persistence and treatment of chronic pelvic pain, the role of trauma, and the evolving understanding of endometriosis and other gynecological conditions. The discussion covers patient treatment modalities, the potential of artificial intelligence in medical diagnostics, and the significant role of non-surgical interventions like physical therapy. Dr. Tu's reflections on interdisciplinary collaborations, preventative approaches, and the future directions of gynecologic pain management provide a comprehensive overview of this complex field.---TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction05:21 - Mentorship and Influences07:01 - Research and Innovations in Pelvic Pain09:21 - Preventative Approaches to Chronic Pain14:15 - Exploring Pain Mechanisms and Treatments26:32 - The Role of Sensory Reintroduction30:20 - The Importance of Mental Health30:49 - Challenges in Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain31:24 - The Role of Surgery and Mental Health in Pain Management34:00 - Barriers to Effective Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy35:40 - The Complexity of Treating Dysmenorrhea44:11 - Exploring Personalized Medicine and AI in Pain Management51:22 - The Future of Pain Management and AI54:25 - The Role of Big Data and AI in Medical Research59:25 - Final Thoughts