Dry Needling for Vulvodynia, Painful Intercourse, and Other Pelvic Health Conditions
In the realm of pelvic floor occupational and physical pelvic floor therapy, there is a technique gaining recognition for its tremendous impact on client outcomes - dry needling. Dry needling for pelvic floor dysfunction involves the insertion of thin mono-filament needles into specific painful or dysfunctional muscles or connective tissues that impact an individual’s pelvic health and function. By targeting these specific regions of the body, dry needling aims to release muscle tension, improve blood flow, regulate the nervous system, alleviate pain, and restore balance to the pelvic area, contributing to the long-term relief of pelvic pain symptoms.
The pelvic floor plays the vital role of maintaining overall core stability, supporting the pelvic organs, and ensuring proper bladder and bowel control. However, issues such as pelvic pain and dysfunction can arise due to various factors such as physical trauma to the pelvis, childbirth, or chronic pain conditions. Traditional treatment methods for pelvic pain and dysfunction typically involve manual therapies, stretches, or exercises. Dry needling offers a unique and effective complementary approach. By stimulating muscular, vascular, and neurological responses, it targets the multifactorial causes of pain and dysfunction to promote healing.
In my practice, I have personally witnessed numerous clients with pelvic pain, low back pain, vaginismus, pudendal neuralgia, and vulvodynia experience the transformative benefits of dry needling, amazed by their rapid pain relief. Time and again, individuals struggling with pelvic pain have come back for multiple dry needling treatments, and it has consistently proven to be a game-changer in their healing journey. They describe their amazement at the rapidity with which dry needling has alleviated their pelvic pain. Through this therapeutic technique, my clients have found a newfound sense of comfort and liberation, enabling them to reclaim their lives free from the burden of chronic pelvic pain.
In this article, we will explore the concept of dry needling in depth - from its fundamentals to its impact on pelvic health. We will delve into its use as a therapeutic tool for treating pelvic pain conditions and discuss how it complements other forms of occupational and physical therapy. Additionally, I will include a few research studies that shed light on its effectiveness and safety.
So let us begin uncovering the benefits of dry needling and its tremendous potential in enhancing pelvic floor health!
The Role and Benefits of Dry Needling in Healing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. Many clients report pelvic pain affecting their social and sexual health, and urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse affecting their participation in their favorite exercises. The role of pelvic floor muscles in maintaining proper bladder and bowel control and supporting the reproductive organs cannot be understated. When the pelvic floor becomes dysfunctional, individuals may experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, painful intercourse, symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic muscle tightness.
The targeted nature of dry needling allows for precise treatment of affected tissues that may be contributing to pelvic floor dysfunction. These dysfunctional tissues are often areas where muscle fibers have become chronically contracted, or the nerves and central nervous system have become overly sensitive, leading to pain and/or restricted movement. Releasing these tightened muscles and assisting to regulate the nervous system through dry needling alleviates tension and pain, allowing for improved blood flow and restoration of normal function. Normal function = happy pelvis!
In addition to its potential benefits in relieving pain and improving muscle function in general, dry needling can also help address associated functional pelvic conditions commonly experienced, like chronic constipation, urinary incontinence, or pain with sex. For instance, by reducing tension in the pelvic muscles and regulating the nervous system response through this technique, individuals often find relief from constipation or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
What to Expect During a Dry Needling Session for the Pelvic Floor
During a dry needling session to treat pelvic floor dysfunction, you can expect a trained occupational or physical pelvic health therapist to perform a thorough medical history, as well as a physical assessment of your body. They may even examine seemingly unrelated areas of your body, like your jaw, lower back, or feet. Surprisingly, these areas can have a direct impact on the health of your pelvic floor and core function. Following this assessment, your provider will determine where each needle will be inserted for the best outcomes. Your practitioner will use very thin, mono-filament needles anywhere from 25 mm to 70 mm long to target specific areas of the body that are experiencing pain or tension.
Needles are inserted one by one into the regions believed to be contributing to your pelvic dysfunction. The needles are always inserted directly into affected muscles, ligaments, tendons, and scar tissue. Therapists appropriately trained in this technique are aware to avoid organs, arteries, and major nerves in the body; they will angle each needle and choose their insertion points with this knowledge in mind. Within my practice, I utilize the neurologic dry needling technique by rotating and keeping each needle in situ (in place) for 20-30 minutes in order to elicit a parasympathetic nervous system response; other practitioners may use a trigger point dry needling technique by pistoning, or gently moving the needles up and down, in order to elicit a therapeutic response.
Contrary to popular belief, dry needling the vulva is not required in order to relieve tension in high tone and/or pain in deep pelvic floor muscles. In fact, I most commonly treat deep pelvic floor muscles by dry needling next to the coccyx (tailbone), exactly where these deep pelvic floor muscles are inserted into. In addition, I will often dry needle other areas such as the sacral periosteum (sacrum), the lumbar erector spinae, masseter, trapezius, gluteal muscles, piriformis, sacrotuberous ligament, psoas, and quadratus lumborum as these tissues can contribute to pelvic floor pain and dysfunction when they are not functioning properly.
Image of a former client who received dry needling in her lower back to help alleviate her pelvic pain. After 3 sessions, this client noticed a significant improvement in her mobility and pain during her daytime job.
For other people who experience vulvodynia or have more superficial vulvar muscles or nerves involved, dry-needling the vulva itself can prove to be extremely beneficial. However, even with superficial vulvar conditions, dry needling near (but not on) the nerve roots of the sacrum (lower back), where the pudendal nerve originates, can still provide a significant amount of relief for many people.
It is important to note that each individual's experience with dry needling is quite different. Some may feel minimal discomfort during the insertion of their needles, while others may experience temporary soreness or mild bruising afterward. However, many of my clients find that the benefits of this treatment outweigh any potential temporary discomfort.
Existing Evidence for Dry Needling for Pain Relief
One of the key overlooked advantages of dry needling is its impact on the autonomic nervous system. In short, the strategic placement of these mono-filament needles directly on the periosteum (the outer layer of bone), along with targeting specific dermatome regions, muscles, or tendons, can effectively induce a calming effect in the body. It works by reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (associated with fight or flight response) and promoting an increase in the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for rest and digestion). This ultimately helps tense muscles to relax and to modulate the region’s pain signals. This can lead to a significant and long-term reduction in high-tone pelvic floor muscles, chronic pelvic dysfunction, pelvic pain, and discomfort.
A systematic review was published in 2021 that explored pain relief experienced by clients after dry needling sessions. According to the review, patients reported experiencing pain relief effects both in the short-term and long-term. These included immediate to 72-hour relief (described as large), 4- to 12-week relief (also described as large), 13- to 24-week relief (again described as large). It also suggested that dry needling was more effective than no treatment, sham dry needling, and other therapies for reducing pain.¹
Neurologic dry needling and acupuncture have also shown promising potential in providing relief and managing symptoms of a more superficial pelvic pain condition; vulvodynia. The dry needles work by targeting the nervous system and aim to restore autonomic nervous system balance and alleviate pain.
A randomized controlled study published in 2015 found that women suffering from vulvodynia experienced significant relief in vulvar pain and dyspareunia after receiving dry acupuncture needling sessions. In addition, they reported improved sexual functioning compared to those who did not receive acupuncture. This suggests that dry needling and acupuncture can be a promising treatment options for individuals with this condition.²
Overall, the benefits of dry needling for pelvic floor rehabilitation and pain relief are enormous. From reducing chronic pelvic pain to improving bladder control and enhancing sexual function, this technique offers a holistic approach toward addressing these issues effectively.
Finding a Qualified Dry Needling Practitioner for Pelvic Health
When it comes to choosing a skilled provider for dry needling techniques, finding a qualified practitioner is extremely important. Whether you are seeking a pelvic floor occupational or physical therapist, it is crucial to ensure that you are in the hands of someone who has the necessary expertise and knowledge in both pelvic health and dry needling.
Finding a qualified dry-needling practitioner involves doing your research. First and foremost, check if the practitioner is appropriately educated in dry needling techniques. This ensures that they have undergone proper training and have met the required standards to practice safely and effectively. Listed here are a few reputable organizations that train individuals in performing dry needling:
In addition to receiving a reputable education and certification in dry needling, consider your provider’s experience in the treatment of pelvic health conditions; look for practitioners who have specialized knowledge and experience in treating pelvic health conditions. This will ensure that they understand the intricacies of pelvic floor and core anatomy, and can provide the most effective care. Listed here are reputable organizations that train and offer a directory of pelvic health therapists:
Furthermore, it can be helpful to seek recommendations from trusted sources such as healthcare professionals or friends who have had positive experiences with dry-needling practitioners. Reading reviews or testimonials from previous patients can also provide valuable insights into the practitioner's skills and patient satisfaction levels.
Don't hesitate to schedule an initial phone consultation with potential practitioners. This will allow you to discuss your specific needs, ask questions about their qualifications and approach, and assess whether you feel comfortable working with them. I provide a free 20-minute phone consultation through my website, which you can sign up for any time at www.calkopelvicrehab.com/appointment.
By taking these steps to find a qualified practitioner for dry needling techniques, you can ensure that you receive safe and effective care tailored to your individual needs.
Incorporating Dry Needling into Your Wellness Routine
It's worth noting that dry needling should not replace other essential self-care practices for pelvic health but rather complement them. Dry needling alone will rarely eliminate all dysfunction. Pelvic floor exercises, along with maintaining good posture, practicing breathing and relaxation techniques, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits are all integral components of a comprehensive pelvic health and wellness routine.
Everyone's journey toward healing is unique. Listen to your body and work closely with healthcare professionals who can guide you through the process of incorporating complementary therapies like dry needling into your overall self-care routine for improved pelvic well-being.
Experience the Benefits of Dry Needling with Calko Pelvic Rehabilitation and Wellness in Canfield, OH
The potential of dry needling as a non-invasive treatment option for pelvic floor issues is an exciting development in the field of pelvic rehabilitation and wellness. Calko Pelvic Rehabilitation & Wellness offers qualified pelvic floor dry-needling services that provide relief and improved functionality for individuals experiencing pelvic health issues in particular. I’ve been trained through both the Herman and Wallace Institute as well as Intricate Arts Body & Spine Solutions to skillfully dry needle the pelvic region.
For those seeking alternative approaches to managing their pelvic floor and pelvic health concerns, exploring the potential of dry needling at Calko Pelvic Rehabilitation and Wellness may offer new possibilities for improved health and well-being.
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