Pelvic floor dysfunction is unfortunately all too common for women–in fact, a quarter of women in the U.S. are affected by it and dealing with the pain day to day. If you’ve been living with pain and tension and can’t find the relief you need, pelvic floor acupuncture could be the best way forward.
Pelvic floor acupuncture is a gentle approach to relieve your discomfort, and a personalized plan can restore range of motion, address incontinence, diffuse pain, and more.
At Willow Tree Clinic, we provide pelvic floor acupuncture as a holistic treatment method to address your concerns. Book a consultation with us today to get started!
What is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a condition where the muscles in your pelvic floor aren’t functioning properly. The dysfunction can result in muscle spasms, lax pelvic floor muscles, or coordination issues between muscles and organs.
For women especially, pelvic floor dysfunction is common after giving birth and with age. However, pelvic dysfunction can happen to anyone due to the following reasons:
- Muscle imbalance and overuse
- Trauma or injury
- Chronic straining and pressure
- Chronic stress
- Hormonal changes
- Infections and inflammation
- Medical conditions and surgeries
How Acupuncture Addresses Pelvic Floor Issues
Acupuncture provides the following benefits, which can all help address pelvic dysfunction:
- Relieving muscle tension and pain – Acupuncture stimulates anti inflammatory proteins, cytokines, to reduce muscle tension and relieve pain.
- Increasing blood flow – Acupuncture stimulates blood flow and ensures your muscles are receiving nutrient rich blood to an area that need healing and repair to restore proper function.
- Reducing stress – Stress and anxiety can be a big cause of muscle tension, and acupuncture works to relax both your mind and body.
- Regulating bladder and bowel function – Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, which can help improve muscle control over your bladder and bowel.
- Supporting hormonal balance – Acupuncture stimulates your endocrine glands and can help regulate hormone production, which has a direct link to women’s pelvic floor function.
Common Conditions Treated with Pelvic Floor Acupuncture
Through all of the benefits we mentioned above, pelvic floor acupuncture can address the following conditions.
- Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
- Tailbone Pain
- Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder
- Painful Bladder Syndrome
- Dyspareunia
- Endometriosis and menstrual pain
- Vaginismus
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Constipation and IBS
- Postpartum Recovery
Most of these conditions are caused by muscle tension, nerve imbalances, and organ dysfunction. Overall, acupuncture helps regulate your body to support healing, improve function, and strengthen your muscles and organs.
The Benefits of a Gentle Approach
A gentle approach is so important when it comes to dealing with pelvic dysfunction because you’re already facing tense or sensitive muscles and pain. Though pelvic floor physical therapy is another beneficial treatment to retrain your muscles, you might need initial trigger point acupuncture to relax your muscles and promote healing.
More intense treatments might be able to provide temporary relief, but they can actually cause setbacks in the long term if you’re further inflaming your muscles and triggering heightened nerve sensitivity.
With acupuncture and other gentle treatments like breath work, you can help prevent further muscle tension and work toward more sustainable, long-term healing. A gentle treatment plan can also desensitize your nerves over time and help lower your pain levels without triggering flare-ups.
What to Expect During a Session
Whether you’re brand new to acupuncture or know what to expect in treatments, you’ll be in good hands with Willow Tree Clinic. It is important to seek a practitioner who has taken advanced clinical skills training specific to pelvic floor acupuncture for the safest and most effective results. Dr Kiné Fischler sought out this training because so many of her OB/GYN patients have come to her with chronic pelvic floor concerns. Pelvic floor acupuncture improves the results of pelvic floor physical therapy – the two modalities are truly an integrative approach to care.
Our pelvic floor acupuncture sessions always start with an initial consultation. There, we can get to know you and your concerns as well as your medical history and lifestyle. This initial consultation is where we can start to develop the most personalized treatment plan for your needs. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, and that makes your acupuncture treatment that much more specialized.
Based on your history and goals, we’ll recommend a treatment plan and work with you to schedule your sessions. When it’s time to come in for your first session, you can count on a relaxed, calming environment in our clinic.
Your acupuncturist will make sure you’re comfortable before beginning the insertion process. They’ll place thin, sterile needles into your acupuncture points, which are only a fraction of an inch into your skin. For pelvic floor dysfunction in particular, your acupuncturist will choose the acupoints that can provide targeted support.
Once the needles are inserted, it’s your time to relax. We’ll leave the needles in place for about 20-40 minutes. You might feel some sensation, but most people feel no pain (and even fall asleep!).
After your session, you’ll feel relaxed and may experience immediate pain relief. We’ll recommend post-session care to help maintain results in between sessions.
Getting Started With a Pelvic Floor Acupuncturist
Getting started is as easy as booking your consultation! From there, you’ll get a personalized treatment plan and start your gentle approach to relieving pain and pelvic floor dysfunction.
If you’re ready to start a holistic healing journey, we’d be honored to have you as our patient!
How Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Work Together to Support Your Health
When you’re looking for holistic treatments, it’s often best to explore multiple options. In fact, treatments like acupuncture and herbal medicine can work together as
Postpartum Depletion: What It Is and How to Recover Quickly
Postpartum depletion is more than just feeling “tired from motherhood.” If you’re experiencing it, you know how much it can impact your life—from unshakable fatigue
Acupuncture For Digestion: Bloating, IBS, And Reflux Relief!
Bloating, acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more than just “digestive annoyances.” If you deal with these issues, you know how much they
Acupuncture for Athletes: Improving Recovery, Performance, and Injury Prevention
Athletes face unique challenges when it comes to staying active and performing at their best. Whether it’s recovering from intense workouts, preventing injuries, or achieving
The Powerful Benefits of Acupuncture for Back Pain: A Holistic Approach to Lasting Relief
Back pain is far more than a mild ache. If you’ve experienced it, you know it can bring intense discomfort, limited mobility, and constant frustration
Acupuncture For Migraines: A Drug-Free Approach to Pain Relief
Migraines are far more than “bad headaches.” If you experience them, you know they bring severe pain, nausea, and light sensitivity that can completely disrupt
