Pelvic Care Blog
Our blog is dedicated to supporting acupuncturists who specialize or hope to specialize in pelvic health. We hope you enjoy our musings and offerings.
A new double blind RCT just published in The Journal of Pain
A new double blind, placebo controlled RCT on acupuncture for vulvodynia was just published in The Journal of Pain. It is the first multi needle, multi session, double blind acupuncture trial ever conducted for this condition. The lead investigator, Dr. Judith Schlaeger at University of Illinois Chicago, partnered with Dr. Ted Kaptchuk at Harvard's Program in Placebo Studies and Dr. Nobuari Takakura in Japan, whose lab developed the only validated double blind acupuncture needles in existence.
Acupuncture for Overactive Bladder in Postmenopausal Women
If you've been treating pelvic health conditions for any length of time, you'll know that overactive bladder (OAB) is one of those issues that quietly dominates your patient caseload. Symptoms like urgency, frequency, waking multiple times a night might not make headlines, but they significantly erode quality of life for the women experiencing them. And for postmenopausal women in particular, the burden is disproportionate.
NEW PUBLICATION: CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN & ACUPUNCTURE
Dr. Krystal Lynn Couture has officially been published in collaboration with Golden Flower Chinese Herbs.
This work brings forward a powerful and much-needed conversation around chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and the role of acupuncture in addressing one of the most complex and underserved conditions in modern healthcare.
The Pelvic Acu Ft on the Chick Chat Podcast: Exploring the Heart–Womb Connection
We’re honored that The Pelvic Acu was recently featured on the Chick Chat Podcast in the episode “Heart to Womb: The Emotional and Energetic Connection Between the Heart and Uterus.”
California Approved Acupuncture PDA
All of The Pelvic Acu courses are now California approved for PDAs / CEUs!!! We’re definitely excited to share this news with you! We’re pleased to be able to support more and more acupuncturists around the country with approved educational credits. Thanks for sticking with us as we build The Pelvic Acu and find more ways to support you! Feel free to use the comments section to let us know where you’d like to see our live events AND if there are other ways we can support you!
Pelvic Care intro Webinar - FREE
Our last Free Pelvic Care Intro Webinar was so popular, we’re bringing you another opportunity to join us!!! Live online, September 11, 2024 at 12 noon EDT. A replay will be available shortly after the course. Our Pelvic Care Intro Course will give you the insight you need to determine if Pelvic Care is for you and if Dr. Krystal is the right instructor for you! In just one hour, we’ll discuss the impact of acupuncture on Pelvic Health and some of the techniques and tools you already know to start treating the pelvis.
Menstrual relations
According to Chinese Medicine, there are unique relationships between the organs and fluids associated with our monthly bleed. Chinese Medicine differs from Western medicine in that the organs do not only carry out their functions on a physiological level, but also on an energetic level. Essentially, this means that each organ has an essence or energy that is particularly unique, almost like a personality. The fluids of the body also hold a vibration. The interplay of these frequencies makes an impact on the whole of the being.
The Elemental Nature of the Pelvis
I am so honored to be featured in such an amazing magazine that truly embodies to the nature of Chinese Medicine and explores the roots of what we do. I love being able to share my knowledge and passion for all things pelvic care.
What your client needs to know about their pelvic floor.
Clients who are curious about the pelvic floor and associated dysfunctions as well as those who present with pelvic floor patterns can really benefit from a little bit of understanding and some education. Clients who understand their pelvic floor function have a much greater opportunity to participate in the healing and leaning into the support you’re offering.
Clearing Blocks in Acupuncture
You may have heard of your acupuncturist say something like, “Before we work on your pelvic floor, we need to check for and clear any blocks.” Blocks are essentially barriers to the treatment being effective and holding from one session to the next or long term. Blocks can be diagnosed through the pulses, through your energy or even through the eyes. Blocks can also be physical symptoms like pain.
Connection between the Low Back and the Pelvic Floor
The low back can have indirect effects on the pelvic floor due to the anatomical and functional connections between these areas. The low back (lumbar region) and pelvic floor are part of the same musculoskeletal and neuromuscular system, and alterations in one region can influence the other. Here’s why Trigger Point Needling (Dry Needling or Ashi Point Needling) of the back impacts the Pelvic Floor:
Published Research on Acupuncture and Pelvic Pain
Research on acupuncture for pelvic pain, particularly related to conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome, has gained interest in recent years. Here are some notable studies:
Safety Concerns when Needling the Pelvis
Needling the pelvis, especially in the context of pelvic health interventions such as trigger point needling, dry needling or Ashi point needling, requires careful attention to safety considerations. Safety concerns associated with needling the pelvis are..
What is Pelvic Floor Dry Needling?
Pelvic floor dry needling is a therapeutic technique that involves the insertion of acupuncture needles which are sterile, thin, solid needles into specific points in the pelvic region. These points are usually Ashi (tender points or trigger points. “Ashi point” needling is acupuncture trigger point needling, and this is described in Chinese medical texts dating from 200 BCE – 200 CE. Insertion of needles into Ashi points can alleviate pain, improve muscle function, and address various pelvic health issues.
Common Pelvic Health Disorders in Women
Women can experience a range of pelvic health disorders that may affect various aspects of their reproductive, urinary, bowel and gastrointestinal systems.
Common Pelvic Health Disorders in Men
While pelvic health concerns are often associated with women, men can also experience a variety of pelvic health dysfunctions. These issues may involve the pelvic floor muscles, reproductive organs, and urinary or gastrointestinal systems. As with women, quality of life for men can be seriously impacted. For some men, pelvic health dysfunction may be a highly emotional topic and one that is very challenging to talk about. Addressing the issues can be life changing.
Pelvic Health as a Source of Profit in Your Acupuncture Practice!
If you’re like most acupuncturists, you hate when marketing specialists say ‘you have to niche your practice’. You probably don’t want to treat only one type of client. You don’t want to lose the clients you already have. And if you’re like me, you definitely don’t want to exclude certain populations.
Increase Quality of Life with Pelvic Care Acupuncture
Pelvic care can be seriously transformative for your life! Pelvic pain and dysfunction very often don’t get better on their own. They require intervention. Here are some of the things that can change once you start a Pelvic Care regiment with your acupuncturist….
10 Signs Your Client Needs Pelvic Care Acupuncture
As acupuncturists, we are amazing at distilling symptoms into a diagnosis. Pelvic Health is an area we can provide really nutritive support if we can recognize the signs that there might be an issue. Here are my top 10 signs and symptoms and how to investigate them.