Beyond the Pelvic Floor: How Acupuncture and Integrative Care Support Healing

Our favorite thing to do at BPHAC? Helping you feel great in your body again!
Our next favorite thing? When our acupuncturists and physical therapists can collaborate on your care, bringing you results from multiple areas of expertise.

Many of our patients benefit from the multidisciplinary nature of our clinic by having an acupuncturist, physical therapist, and massage therapist on our team. We are strong believers in the benefits of having more than one pair of eyes on an issue, and multiple tools in your toolbox.

Combining acupuncture and physical therapy care can be exactly what is needed to address pain, whether something long term & stubborn, or something new that has just reared its head. These approaches combined also work wonders for prenatal and postpartum care; from helping you conceive and maintaining a healthy pregnancy, to preparing for labor/delivery and healing post-birth.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese/East Asian medicine practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Traditionally, these points correspond to pathways and meridians in the body through which energy flows. Stimulating certain points along these pathways helps Qi, or the body’s natural energy, to restore and flow properly.

A more modern understanding of acupuncture takes into account the affect that stimulating these points and nerves in the body has a deep affect on the nervous system; bringing the body from “fight or flight” into “rest and digest” which allows the body’s natural healing to occur, while also improving blood flow and circulation, reducing inflammation, and cueing the brain to release endorphins.

While not totally free of sensation, acupuncture does not hurt. In fact, most people fall asleep on the table, and find the experience incredibly calming. The needles are thinner than a strand of hair and very flexible. The initial insertion feels like a fast and gentle pinch, which quickly fades. Acupuncture is safe and side-effect free, making it a great choice for those looking for a more natural way to regulate pain, stress, and improve their health.

Patients usually retain needles on the table anywhere from 30-50 minutes in a session. Additional elements like infrared heat, cupping, moxibustion, gua-sha, or herbs may be included in your session as well. Because acupuncture is a cumulative process, we encourage weekly treatments for your first 3-4 sessions. Some patients see immediate relief, while others need several sessions before feeling lasting results. After your first few, the frequency of sessions usually starts to space out farther apart. The cadence and frequency of treatments necessary will be determined between you and your practitioner, depending on what you are treating and how you are progressing.

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For those seeking care for pelvic floor related issues, acupuncture is an incredible option as well. We treat these things together daily in our clinic! Because of its ability to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, acupuncture can help to get patients out of pain by treating the tissue, nerves, and nervous system, before starting to focus on strengthening and muscle coordination or muscle retraining with a physical therapist.

Acupuncture can help to regulate your body’s nervous system and hormonal health, all of which assists in the treatment of pain, muscle tension, menopause/perimenopause, urinary issues, digestion and constipation issues, pain with penetration and erectile dysfunction, and more.

Acupuncture can help you in your fertility journey, support you through pregnancy pains and morning sickness, help ease anxiety and postpartum depression, and even help flip breech babies and induce labor. Meanwhile, your pelvic floor physical therapist can help ensure you have the exercises, stretches and breathing techniques to ease you into a healthy birth, then help your body heal and strengthen after delivery.

In addition to pelvic health, having an acupuncturist on your team can make a world of difference for your health. Acupuncture can treat virtually every part of the body; so if your pelvic floor pain and incontinence issues resolve, but next you’re hit with seasonal allergies or stress-related headaches, you know exactly who to call next.

Together, your acupuncturist and your physical therapist can help address pain and postural imbalances that may be contributing to your chronic neck, back, and hip discomfort. Not to mention headaches, jaw pain, shoulders, knees and toes, too 🙂

Our practitioners deeply understand how the whole body is interconnected and works together, not as separate parts, and bring that level of understanding to every treatment.

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How does this work? What do I book first? Am I seen by both doctors at once?

We require all patients new to our clinic to be seen first for an Initial Assessment. If you’re not sure if acupuncture, physical therapy, or Softwave is the best place to start for you, please reach out to inquire! Our office staff will consult with our providers to try and find the best starting point for you.

If you’re really not sure, oftentimes we highly recommend first coming in for a course of acupuncture treatments. Because acupuncture works internally and so directly with the nervous system, it is an great starting point for a vast array of issues, and has the benefit of being able to treat multiple concerns at once.

If your practitioner at BPHAC refers you to acupuncture or physical therapy to begin working from a different approach, we will set you up with another Initial Assessment to start within this new discipline. The Initial Visit for each unique discipline is an important step in transferring and collaborating on care. It allows your New Doc to have ample time to go through all your history, progress, and goals, while diving into this new aspect of your treatment without being rushed.

Appointments at BPHAC are always 1:1 between you and the practitioner you are seeing. Because each treatment plan is as unique as the individual receiving it, sometimes collaborative care looks like a person alternating back and forth between seeing their acupuncturist and their physical therapist.

It can also look like seeing an acupuncturist for several sessions before switching over to focus on physical therapy for a few visits (or vice versa, of course). It may also just look like your practitioner consulting with one of their colleagues who specializes in another area on your case, with your permission.

Either way, your practitioner will always make use of the fact that at BPHAC, we have the benefit of multiple approaches and specializations under one roof, bringing you the best care possible.

Meet BPHAC: Your Partner in Pelvic Health & Whole-Body Wellness

We treat with a variety of modalities, including; acupuncture / East Asian Medicine, physical therapy (both orthopedic and pelvic floor), Softwave (Shockwave) Therapy, massage therapy, and more.

  • Personalized: Everyone’s experiences are unique and we work with you to develop a custom plan to best address your individual needs and lifestyle.
  • Holistic: We take an integrated approach to wellness that accounts for the functioning of our minds, bodies, and environments. 
  • Compassionate: This is a new approach to healthcare where nothing is dismissed, concerns are respected, and everyone is welcome.

Understanding this part of our bodies is an integral part of supporting your whole health. Our practitioners are experts in helping to educate and treat you in a shame-free, trauma-informed, and supportive environment.

While we specialize in the pelvic floor and are experts in treating pelvic floor dysfunction, we also absolutely treat the whole body! Rest assured, you can come to us for support on any issue you are facing.


What is Desire Discrepancy, and What Can I Do About It? 

What is Desire Discrepancy, and What Can I Do About It? 

Desire discrepancy is a common challenge many couples face—it happens when partners have different levels of sexual desire. More often than not, my female patients complain that they feel as if they are broken because they do not want to have sex with their partners. They often describe that they feel as though they “should” be more into sex and feel tremendous amounts of shame for their lack of interest. 

News flash for all of y’all: we may assume that this is a female-specific problem. This is not true. Desire discrepancy can occur in any relationship by any particular person. Same-sex and queer couples can present this issue. Likewise, there are plenty of men with lower libidos than their female partner. 

Desires naturally ebb and flow. Many factors feed into our sex life even though we associate most of sex with our genitals. Our stressors, lifestyle, hormonal changes, children, sleep cycles and general health can all tremendously impact how we relate to our sexuality. 

The bottom line here that we all really need to understand a couple of things: 

  1. What value does sex bring into our lives? Is it a release? Physical touch? Intimacy? Reflecting on what sex means to you and being vulnerable enough to have that conversation with your partner is the first step in conquering this issue. The real challenge here is that SHAME wants to fault your desires and needs. 
  2. Good, giving, game of Dan Savage rules when it comes to our sexuality. We have to be willing to at least entertain or explore our partner’s needs in regards to our sexuality in a judgement free space. 
  3. SEX WILL CHANGE! This is inevitable. Our hormones change, our bodies change, we age. There are facts. Understanding 1 & 2 will keep these conversations open and make sexuality something that can be adaptable through the lifespan. 

At its core, desire discrepancy isn’t about “fixing” anyone. Instead, it’s about understanding the unique factors that influence desire, such as stress, emotional connection, and physical well-being. One powerful tool to navigate this difference is mindfulness.

How Mindfulness Can Help

Mindfulness, the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment, can shift the way couples approach desire and intimacy. Here’s how:

  1. Managing Stress: Stress is a major libido killer. Mindfulness exercises like deep breathing or guided meditation help calm the nervous system, creating space for desire to re-emerge naturally. Arousal needs us to be in a parasympathetic state. By managing our stressors through mindfulness, we can actually be in a state to be present. 
  2. Improves Emotional Connection: Mindfulness fosters nonjudgmental awareness, allowing partners to listen and empathize with each other’s feelings about intimacy without defensiveness or shame.
  3. Enhances Body Awareness: Practices like body scans or mindful touch can help individuals reconnect with their own sensations and desires, paving the way for deeper intimacy. I agree that disembodiment is a beautiful coping mechanism from time to time but we need to be inside of our bodies to experience pleasure. 
  4. Builds Communication Skills: When couples approach conversations about their desires and their shame with mindfulness, they can express needs and even boundaries with more ease which fosters mutual understanding.

Mindfulness Exercise to Try

The 5-Minute Connection Practice:

  • Sit facing your partner.
  • Spend one minute making eye contact without speaking. Notice your breath and your partner’s presence. Do not feel bad if this is awkward. Notice the feelings or thoughts and let them come and go. 
  • Take turns sharing one sentence about how you’re feeling in the moment. Listen fully without interrupting or problem-solving. You are allowed to feel great, terrible or anywhere in between. 
  • End by thanking each other for the connection.

This simple practice (even if you laugh the entire time) can help you feel more attuned to your partner and create a foundation for open dialogue about your pleasures, desires or just feelings in general. . 

Desire discrepancy doesn’t have to create lasting distance between partners. Oftentimes, it can become a point to connect and evolve as a couple. With mindfulness exercises that are self-guided or partnered, you can turn it into an opportunity for growth, understanding, and deeper intimacy.

Want to learn more about the effect of stress on the body? Click here!

Menopause & Acupuncture: A Natural Path to Relief

Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, often accompanied by symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, and fatigue due to fluctuating hormone levels. While conventional treatments such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) exist, many women seek natural, non-invasive alternatives. Acupuncture, a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has emerged as a promising solution for managing menopausal symptoms. Here’s how acupuncture can help and what studies reveal about its effectiveness.


How Does Acupuncture Work for Menopause?

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to restore balance and regulate the flow of energy, or Qi, along meridians. In modern medical terms, this practice:

  • Stimulates the Nervous System: Triggering the release of endorphins and neurotransmitters that help regulate mood and reduce pain.
  • Balances Hormones: By influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, acupuncture can help stabilize hormone fluctuations.
  • Improves Blood Circulation: Enhancing oxygen and nutrient flow, which can alleviate symptoms like fatigue and poor sleep.

Evidence Supporting Acupuncture for Menopause

Numerous studies highlight acupuncture’s potential to address menopausal symptoms:

  1. Hot Flashes and Night Sweats: A systematic review in Menopause journal (2016) found that acupuncture significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hot flashes
  2. Sleep and Mood Improvements: Research published in Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society (2015) showed that acupuncture reduced insomnia and anxiety among menopausal women, likely due to its calming effects on the nervous system.
  3. Hormonal Regulation: A 2020 study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine demonstrated that acupuncture influenced estrogen and luteinizing hormone levels, helping to mitigate hormonal imbalances that contribute to symptoms​
  4. Cumulative Benefits: Regular acupuncture sessions were found to have a compounding effect, with women reporting progressive improvements in symptoms over time.

A Holistic Approach

One of acupuncture’s key benefits is its holistic approach, addressing both physical and emotional well-being. In TCM, menopause is often associated with an imbalance in the kidney and liver meridians, which acupuncture aims to harmonize. This perspective encourages a personalized treatment plan tailored to each woman’s unique symptoms.

Manage symptoms of both perimenopause and menopause naturally. Start treatment today with one of our compassionate and skilled acupuncturists. Book online here!

Learn more about how acupuncture works and what it can treat here

Natural Support for Your Endocrine System

Here is how we can affect and treat your endocrine system, naturally!

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) influences the endocrine system through several mechanisms that align its holistic approach with modern scientific understanding. TCM practices like herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary adjustments aim to restore balance to the body, often targeting hormonal regulation and metabolic pathways.

  1. Neuroendocrine Regulation: TCM has been found to impact the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a critical component of the endocrine system. Dysregulation of this axis is associated with stress-related disorders, metabolic conditions, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. TCM interventions, such as herbal formulas and acupuncture, can modulate neuroendocrine responses, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and promoting neuroplasticity through pathways like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulation​
  2. Metabolic Hormone Adjustment: TCM addresses conditions like diabetes and obesity by modulating gut microbiota, which is increasingly recognized for its role in hormonal balance. Specific herbs can influence glucose metabolism and improve insulin sensitivity. For instance, studies have shown that herbs like berberine act on the gut to improve metabolic disorders by influencing microbiota and reducing inflammation​
  3. Endocrine and Immune Interaction: TCM integrates the functions of the endocrine and immune systems, emphasizing the “kidney” and “spleen” functions as described in TCM theory. These correlate with hormonal balance and immune modulation in modern terms. Herbs and treatments targeting these organs aim to regulate energy metabolism and hormonal functions, demonstrating effects on conditions like hormonal imbalances during menopause and metabolic syndromes​
  4. Clinical Applications in Hormonal Disorders: Research highlights TCM’s role in managing conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid dysfunction, and stress-related hormonal imbalances. The integration of acupuncture with herbal treatments has been shown to balance sex hormone levels, regulate ovulation, and address symptoms of hormonal disorders​

Future research aims to deepen the understanding of how TCM impacts specific molecular pathways and how it can be tailored for personalized treatment. This integration of ancient practices with modern science continues to show promise in managing endocrine and related systemic conditions. For more information, check out these studies: Roles of traditional chinese medicine regulating neuroendocrinology on AD treatment and A Guide to Regulating Hormone Function Utilizing TCM

Get help with managing your endocrine system. Start treatment today with one of our compassionate and skilled acupuncturists. Book online here!

Learn more about how acupuncture works and what it can treat here