August is Pelvic Dysfunction Awareness Month

August is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Awareness month


August is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) Awareness Month. It's a time to educate the public about pelvic floor dysfunction, a condition that affects millions and can lead to issues like:

📍urinary or fecal incontinence

📍pelvic pain

📍pain with intercourse

📍organ prolapse

Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to a condition where the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor and pelvic girdle are not working properly. The month is dedicated to promoting awareness, encouraging open conversations, and reducing the stigma surrounding this condition.

Acupuncture may be a helpful complementary treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction by addressing pain, muscle imbalances, and neurological factors related to pelvic floor dysfunction. While many of the pelvic floor muscles are internal, acupuncture is an external treatment that can influence the muscles of the pelvic floor through the fascia system, targeting related organs and muscle groups. Acupuncture and herbal therapy can potentially strengthen weak muscles, relax overly tense ones, and improve overall pelvic floor function and pain. 

How Acupuncture Works for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: 

  • Targeting Fascia: Acupuncture utilizes the fascial connections to influence internal organs and muscles, including those of the pelvic floor. 

  • Addressing Muscle Imbalances: Acupuncture can help to relax tight pelvic floor muscles and strengthen weak ones, restoring balance and proper function. 

  • Pain Relief: By stimulating specific acupuncture points, acupuncture can help reduce pain associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, such as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, tailbone pain, and painful bladder syndrome. 

  • Neurological Integration: Acupuncture can facilitate communication between the pelvic floor muscles and the central nervous system, potentially aiding in the reintegration and adjustment of muscle function. 

  • Complementary Therapy: Acupuncture can be used alongside other treatments like physical therapy and exercises to enhance pelvic floor rehabilitation. 

Conditions Treated with Pelvic Floor Acupuncture: 

Acupuncture is an external treatment that can influence the muscles of the pelvic floor through the fascia system. Acupuncture and/or herbal therapy may be beneficial for various pelvic floor conditions, including: 

  • Chronic pelvic pain

  • Tailbone pain

  • Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder

  • Painful bladder syndrome

  • Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)

  • Endometriosis and menstrual pain

  • Vaginismus

  • Pelvic organ prolapse

  • Constipation and IBS

  • Postpartum recovery 

Our clinical director, Naomi Skoglund, is doing a deep dive into acupuncture for pelvic health this year, through a certification program with Krystal Lynn Couture DPT, LAc. Naomi has had great success with pelvic pain and dysfunction since adding these skills to her toolbox!