After thirteen years of treating infertility, I have decided to treat patients with pelvic pain while maintaining my fertility practice. 

Very frequently pelvic pain is indicative of an issue or issues that may be contributing to infertility. Additionally chronic pelvic pain significantly reduces the quality of life of the individual experiencing it.

Although my main focus has been helping people to start or grow their families, it pains me to see my patients in pain. So rather than turn from it, I have made the decision to turn towards it.  As I have been studying and treating female reproductive issues for a long time, I have an intimate knowledge of the mechanisms of pelvic pain and am qualified to treat these issues.

 There are many causes of pelvic pain. Some of these require Western medical attention, some may be addressed with acupuncture and herbal medicine and some do better when combining both.

Conditions that can cause chronic pelvic pain include:

1.) Endometriosis

The most effective means of treatment for endometriosis is via laparoscopic excision of endometrial adhesions.  However, in many cases, even after laparoscopic intervention, pelvic pain, rectal pain, lower back pain and pain with intercourse persist. After a laparoscopy if pain does continue to manifest, acupuncture and herbal medicine have often been proven effective.

2.) Adenomyosis

This condition can only be treated with Western medical approaches.

3.)  Noncancerous (benign) tumors of the uterus Uterine fibroids Endometrial polyps

Both of these conditions are most effectively treated via Western medical intervention.

4.) Scar tissue (adhesions) in the abdomen and pelvis, typically caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, radiation treatment of the pelvis, or pelvic or abdominal surgery.

On occasion, a patient with undergo laparoscopic surgery to remove remaining scar tissue with pain reduction being the main goal. Sometimes this strategy is effective and sometimes even after scar resection, pain remains.  This patient is a good candidate for acupuncture and herbal medicine intervention.

 

5.) Irritable bowel syndrome

IBS is very frequently positively addressed by acupuncture and herbal medicine.

6.) Physical or sexual abuse in the recent or distant past

Though poorly understood, combined emotional and physical trauma is thought to cause chronic pain or make it worse.

As acupuncture, herbal medicine and the entirety of Chinese medicine is based upon the integration and interdependence of mind-spirit-body, acupuncture and herbal medicine along with the positive qi of an experienced practitioner can do wonders for this type if patient.

7.) Urinary tract problems, such as bladder inflammation  and chronic interstitial cystitis

Acute UTI’s MUST be treated with proper Western medicial approaches. However, anyone having chronic interstitial cystitis should be treated by both Western and Eastern modalities. This ‘combined’ approach usually leads to better outcomes.

8.) Pelvic organ cancers

Any cancer MUST be treated with Western medicine, but, herbs and acupuncture should be used as well to help support the immune function and to insure a rapid and healthful recovery.

9.) Structural problems with the uterus

Acupuncture and herbal medicine cannot ‘fix’ anatomical issues therefore, Western medical intervention is the way to go.

10.) Muscle spasm or pain in the lower abdominal wall muscles ("trigger points"). This is sometimes linked to past surgery in that area.

This is a perfect situation to be addressed by acupuncture and herbal medicine.
I am pleased to accept new patients for any of the above mentioned issues.