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.


Acupuncture & Trigger Point Needling: Why Trained Acupuncturists Are Essential

The rise in popularity of acupuncture and trigger point needling (often referred to as dry needling) reflects their effectiveness in treating chronic pain and musculoskeletal issues. However, the debate over who should perform these procedures is a crucial consideration for safety, efficacy, and patient outcomes. While both methods involve inserting needles into the body, there is a compelling case that only licensed acupuncturists should perform needling techniques.


Understanding Acupuncture and Trigger Point Needling

  • Acupuncture: Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture focuses on balancing energy, or Qi, through specific points along meridians. This practice is holistic, addressing systemic issues such as pain, stress, and internal imbalances.
  • Trigger Point Needling: A Western adaptation targeting myofascial trigger points—tight muscle knots that cause localized or referred pain. While effective for musculoskeletal issues, it is more narrow in scope compared to acupuncture.

Though different in philosophy, both methods require precision, anatomical knowledge, and an understanding of underlying health conditions to ensure safe and effective treatment.


Why Acupuncturists Should Exclusively Perform Needling

  1. Extensive Training and Certification
    Licensed acupuncturists undergo rigorous education, typically including:
    • 3,000+ hours of training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and needling techniques.
    • Clinical internships under supervision to refine skills.
      This comprehensive preparation ensures that acupuncturists are well-versed in both traditional practices and modern safety protocols.
  2. In contrast, dry needling practitioners (often physical therapists or chiropractors) may receive as little as 20–40 hours of training, which is insufficient for mastering the complex skill of inserting needles into the body without causing harm.
  3. Patient Safety
    Improper needling carries risks, including:
    • Nerve damage
    • Punctured organs, such as a pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
    • Infection due to poor hygiene practices
  4. Acupuncturists are trained to avoid these risks through sterile techniques, precise needle placement, and a thorough understanding of human anatomy.
  5. Holistic Expertise
    Acupuncturists treat the whole body, addressing root causes of pain rather than just symptoms. Trigger point needling alone focuses on localized issues, potentially overlooking broader systemic factors contributing to pain or dysfunction.
  6. Regulation and Accountability
    Acupuncturists are licensed and regulated in most regions, ensuring they meet stringent professional and ethical standards. Dry needling often operates in a regulatory gray area, where practitioners may lack adequate oversight.

Scientific Support for Acupuncturist-Led Needling

  1. A study in Medical Acupuncture emphasized that the success of needling depends heavily on the practitioner’s training and expertise. Poor technique, often seen with minimally trained dry needling practitioners, increases the risk of complications.
  2. Research from Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that patients treated by licensed acupuncturists reported higher satisfaction and fewer adverse events compared to those receiving dry needling from less-trained providers.

The Ethical Implications

Allowing undertrained individuals to perform invasive procedures undermines patient trust and safety. Acupuncturists have spent years mastering the art and science of needling, ensuring that they can provide safe, effective, and comprehensive care. This level of expertise cannot be matched by weekend courses or limited training programs.


Conclusion

Acupuncture and trigger point needling are valuable tools in pain management and healing, but their effectiveness depends on the skill of the practitioner. Only licensed acupuncturists have the comprehensive training necessary to safely and effectively perform these techniques. Choosing a qualified acupuncturist ensures not only better results but also the peace of mind that your health is in expert hands.

Heal your muscle pain, soreness, and tension. Start treatment today with one of our compassionate and skilled acupuncturists or physical therapists. 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