Dr. Dennis Lobstein explains the Chinese Medicine patterns of pelvic pain and vulvodynia. Dr. Dennis also explains the Western medical treatments and the Chinese Medicine treatments for these issues. Then he explains which acupuncture points may be helpful for these symptoms.
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Pelvic pain and vulvodynia is a very common among women around the world. Many times in Western medicine, the causes are unknown. Some of the known causes include candida (yeast infection), herpes, human papilloma virus, autoimmune lichen patches, cancer, nerve pain (neuralgia). The autoimmune problems can create the dryness (like a Sjogren’s) and increases lymphocytes to the area which causes excessive inflammation. In Chinese medicine that would be Yin deficiency Heat.
- burning and redness – excess heat
- itching and irritation – excess wind
- dryness – yin deficiency
Western treatments include wearing cotton underwear to prevent excess moisture, biofeedback and Kegel’s or reverse Kegel’s (see www.PelvicPainRelief.com). Some therapies used include steroids, lidocaine, botulism, surgery and internal pelvic release (through physical therapy).
Chinese treatment principles: Clear heat, release wind, and yin tonification or drain damp. depending on the symptom. Heat-wind-dry or Heat-wind-damp are the two common patterns. By balancing water (yin) it helps both.
Master point for Dai Ma (belt channel) – Gallbladder 41 (GB 41). This channel connects with all other channels that go up and down such as the kidney channel, spleen channel, liver channel. The gallbladder is the yang phase of the Wood element and it can help disperse stagnant liver Qi. The liver meridian circumscribes the genitalia. By accessing GB41, we’re indirectly accessing liver and wood.
Yang Ming Channels – Stomach and Large Intestine meridians. Heat is stored in the body through these channels.
- Stomach 44 is a really good point for clearing total body heat. Ying Spring point. These Ying Spring points clear heat. Drains damp and regulates water.
- Large intestine 20 – meeting point of large intestine and stomach channels. It is part of the Yang Ming channels. If there is an infection or build up of heat in the body (toxicity, infection for example) it will expel heat and wind.
Large intestine 4 – releases spasm in the genital area.
Bladder 22 – Shu point for triple burner – regulation of water through hormone balance. It is located below lumbar vertebra 1 at the GV 5 point level. It is right above the kidneys where we find BL 23.
Spleen 6 – it is common gynecological point where liver, spleen and kidney meridians cross. It is used to relax the genitalia area.
Liver 3 – it is a major point on top of the foot for dispersing stagnant liver Qi. Our toxic stressful lives build up a lot of liver Qi stagnation. It can then generate wind and itching. It can also cause liver yang rising: high blood pressure, headaches, migraines. The liver channel goes around the genitalia. If you have an orgasm you can relieve the liver Qi stagnation and prevent the migraine by regulating blood and yang Qi from going to the head.
Liver 5 – if sore, it means stagnant liver qi (globus hystericus, plum pit Qi – feeling like a knot in the throat). Orgasms can help clear this. It helps to regulate menses. Painful menses for example.
Governing vessel 20 opens up the Tai Chi pole and brings in more Qi through the head. Bring in more yang Qi in for those with chronic disorders. Most have yang deficiency.
Conception vessel 4 also reduces spasm in the genitals
Conception 2 – CV2 also helps with genital itching and burning. CV2 is just above the pubic bone.
Stomach 30 – It is a Sea of Water point that regulates water. It is indicated for swelling and pain in the genitals. It is located 2 cun next to CV2.
The lateral border of the rectus abdominus muscle is 4 cun from the midline. 1/2 way would be stomach 30.
Kidney 11 – 1/2 cun on either side of the CV2 right on the pubic bone and it is known as treating genital pain.
How to apply patches to these points. Here are some protocols. Choose one to try.
Pelvic and vulva pain and swelling options:
- SIMPLEST: Y-age Aeon on GV 20 support chronic issues healing; Y-age Glutathione patch CV 2 (Itching or burning)or 4 during the day
- Y-Age Glutathione right ST30 and Carnosine patch left ST30 (if they have low antioxidants and need glutathione)
- Dr. Karen’s favorite: IceWave patches ST30 white on right, tan on left for pain and inflammation; Glutathione (antioxidants) or Nirvana patch (increases endorphins) or Alavida (help heal the skin in vulva) on CV 2. Add Energy Enhancers on GB41, white on right tan on left for additional coverage of the Belt meridian.
- IceWave Tan on the LV3 and white on right GB41 will still activate the Dai Mai as well as soothe liver Qi stagnation.
Additional Options:
- Fluid swelling issues: IceWave on BL39 He Se point can be added or as an alternative to move fluids through the hollow yang organs. San Jiao is hollow organ, so will move water and regular water. You can always use SP6 patch on the left and Aeon on the right for hormonal issues with water retention
- Icewave BL22 (water issues), SP6 (treat all three meridians), LV3 (stagnant qi), or LV5 (psychological condition) white on the right, tan on left.
Menstrual Cramping:
- Icewave on Liver 3 bilaterally; Aeon or glutathione on CV2. OR
- SP6 patch on left spleen 6 and right TB17 with Aeon patch with menopausal cramping and hot flashes and hormone balance.
Relax uterus and pelvic floor:
- Chong Mai Master point is SP4 (Tan Icewave) used synergistically with PC 6 (white).
- Add LV 3 and GB 41 in addition if the above doesn’t work with SP6 an Aeon or another set of IceWave
Goji helps with multiple issues related to the above. Boil 10-20 minutes or eat it raw. Mulberry fruit also is a herb that tonifies yin (moisture).
