Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture For Pelvic Pain In Chelsea, Soho London

Understanding Pelvic Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment with Acupuncture

Pelvic pain is a complex and often debilitating condition that can affect individuals of all ages and genders. It refers to discomfort or pain in the pelvic region, which is the area between the hip bones at the bottom of the spine. Pelvic pain can be acute or chronic and may range from mild to severe, impacting an individual's quality of life.

Causes of Pelvic Pain:

Gynecological Issues:

Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and pain.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Infection of the female reproductive organs, often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Urological Issues:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Infections in the urinary system can cause pelvic discomfort.

Interstitial Cystitis: A chronic condition characterized by bladder inflammation, leading to pelvic pain and urinary urgency.

Gastrointestinal Problems:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A common digestive disorder that can cause abdominal pain and affect the pelvic region.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can contribute to pelvic pain.

Musculoskeletal Factors:

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Weakness or tension in the muscles of the pelvic floor can lead to pain and discomfort.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP): Common during pregnancy, PGP involves pain in the pelvic joints and ligaments.

Reproductive System Issues:

Ovarian Cysts: Fluid-filled sacs that can form on the ovaries and cause pelvic pain.

Fibroids: Noncancerous growths in the uterus that can lead to pelvic pressure and pain.

Symptoms of Pelvic Pain:

Persistent or intermittent pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region.

Discomfort during sexual activity.

Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea.

Urinary symptoms, including urgency or frequency.

Menstrual irregularities and pain during menstruation.

Acupuncture releases chronic pelvic pain (CPP) regardless causes- research update.

Acupuncture is a globally practiced therapy used for various ailments, particularly in the management of pain. A previous study involving a large sample size of 17,922 patients found that acupuncture intervention provided greater analgesic efficacy compared to sham or no acupuncture intervention for back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headaches. A recent updated analysis with 20,827 patients also demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating nonspecific musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headaches, and shoulder pain.

Acupuncture has also been found to be effective in managing chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), which is characterized by chronic pain in the pelvic region, often accompanied by ejaculatory and urination pain lasting for at least 3 to 6 months. The benefits of acupuncture for CP/CPPS have been well-established. A paper analyzing data from ten studies involving 329 participants concluded that receiving a greater number of acupuncture sessions was associated with increased symptom relief. After 6 sessions, a decrease in pain was observed, and significant improvement was noted after 18 sessions. This suggests a dose-response relationship between the number of acupuncture sessions and the outcome of CP/CPPS. Prolonged acupuncture sessions were found to be associated with lower NIH-CPSI scores, and it was determined that a minimum of six acupuncture sessions was required to achieve clinical effects.

In a recent review analyzing acupuncture's effectiveness in managing pelvic pain in CPP patients from January 2011 to September 2022, a total of 1455 CPP patients (867 females and 588 males) were included. These patients underwent acupuncture treatment, either as an adjunctive therapy or as monotherapy, for a period ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months. Some trials also assessed pain levels during a follow-up period ranging from 12 weeks to one year.

The findings of this review revealed that acupuncture treatment resulted in lower pain levels compared to control interventions for CPP patients, regardless of whether acupuncture was used as an adjunctive therapy or as the sole treatment. These results suggest that acupuncture alone may have beneficial effects in managing pelvic pain associated with CPP, irrespective of its underlying causes.

References

ReferencesQin Z et al Ann Transl Med. 2019 Mar;7(6):116. doi: 10.21037/atm.2018.11.45.

Kent Yu-Hsien Lin, et al Healthcare (Basel). 2023 Mar; 11(6): 830.

Coccyx Pain (Coccydynia): Causes, Symptoms, and Acupuncture Treatment

Introduction

Coccyx pain, medically known as coccydynia, refers to pain or discomfort in the tailbone, the small triangular bone located at the bottom of the spine. The coccyx consists of three to five small fused vertebrae and plays an important role in supporting the body when sitting, maintaining posture, and providing attachment points for several muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Coccyx pain is a relatively common musculoskeletal complaint that can significantly affect daily activities, particularly sitting, standing up from a seated position, bending forward and performing certain physical activities. Although symptoms often improve with conservative treatment, persistent or severe pain may require further medical assessment and intervention.

Anatomy and Function of the Coccyx

The coccyx is located at the inferior end of the sacrum and forms the terminal part of the vertebral column. It is composed of several small vertebral segments that are usually fused in adults.

The coccyx has several important functions:

Provides attachment for pelvic floor muscles and ligaments.
Supports body weight when sitting, particularly when leaning backwards.
Contributes to pelvic stability and posture.
Provides attachment points for muscles involved in bowel and pelvic floor function.

Due to its anatomical position and relationship with surrounding soft tissues, injury or inflammation in this region can result in significant discomfort.

Causes of Coccyx Pain

Coccyx pain can develop due to several factors, including trauma, repetitive pressure, abnormal movement and underlying medical conditions.

1. Trauma and Injury

Trauma is one of the most common causes of coccydynia. A direct fall onto the buttocks, sports injury or accident can cause bruising, ligament injury, dislocation or fracture of the coccyx.

2. Prolonged Sitting

Sitting for extended periods, particularly on hard or uncomfortable surfaces, can increase pressure on the coccyx. This is commonly seen in individuals who work at desks, drive for long periods or have sedentary lifestyles.

3. Pregnancy and Childbirth

During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause increased ligament flexibility. The mechanical pressure associated with childbirth may also strain or injure the coccyx, leading to pain.

4. Repetitive Strain

Activities such as cycling, rowing and other exercises that place repeated pressure on the tailbone may contribute to irritation and inflammation.

5. Abnormal Coccygeal Mobility

Excessive movement, restricted movement or abnormal positioning of the coccyx may cause pain during sitting and changes in posture.

6. Other Medical Conditions

Less commonly.

Signs and Symptoms

The most characteristic symptom of coccydynia is localised pain around the tailbone.

Common symptoms include:

Pain at the base of the spine, just above the buttocks.
Increased pain when sitting, especially on hard surfaces.
Discomfort when moving from sitting to standing.
Pain during prolonged sitting or driving.
Tenderness when pressure is applied to the coccyx.
Discomfort during bowel movements.
Pain during sexual intercourse in some individuals.

The severity of symptoms varies. Some people experience mild discomfort, while others develop persistent pain that interferes with work, sleep and daily activities.

Acupuncture is effective for coccyx pain.