What Acupuncture Points Help with Vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia, a chronic vulvar pain condition with no clear cause, affects millions of women worldwide. If you're looking for a natural treatment for vulvodynia, acupuncture is emerging as a promising therapy. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture helps reduce vulvar pain, improve circulation, and support emotional well-being.

This article explores the top acupuncture points for vulvodynia, how acupuncture works for vulvar pain, and what current research shows about its effectiveness.

What Is Vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia is defined as persistent vulvar pain lasting for more than three months, without an identifiable medical cause. Symptoms include:

• Burning or stinging sensation

• Irritation, itching, or rawness

• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

• Discomfort when sitting or wearing tight clothing

Common treatment options include medications, pelvic floor therapy, and nerve blocks—but many women are now turning to acupuncture for vulvodynia relief.

How Acupuncture Helps Treat Vulvodynia

Acupuncture stimulates specific points along the body’s energy meridians, improving Qi (energy) flow, relaxing pelvic muscles, reducing inflammation, and calming the nervous system. Here's how acupuncture may relieve vulvar pain:

• Blocks pain signals to the brain

• Reduces muscle tension in the pelvic floor

• Improves local blood circulation

• Lowers inflammation in vulvar tissues

• Supports emotional balance and reduces stress

Top 7 Acupuncture Points for Vulvodynia Relief

While every treatment is personalized, licensed acupuncturists often focus on these acupuncture points for chronic vulvar pain:

1. REN3 (Zhongji) – Lower Abdomen Pain Relief

• Location: Above the pubic bone

• Benefits: Regulates pelvic organs, alleviates bladder and vaginal pain, reduces inflammation

2. REN4 (Guanyuan) – Strengthens Reproductive Organs

• Location: One hand below the navel

• Benefits: Tonifies Qi and Blood, supports uterus health, used in chronic pelvic pain syndromes

3. SP6 (Sanyinjiao) – Hormonal and Pelvic Pain Support

• Location: Four finger widths above the inner ankle

• Benefits: Balances the Spleen, Liver, and Kidney channels; reduces menstrual and vulvar pain

4. LV3 (Taichong) – Stress & Emotional Regulation

• Location: Between the big toe and second toe

• Benefits: Moves Liver Qi, addresses emotional triggers and tension-related vulvodynia

5. BL23 (Shenshu) – Kidney & Sexual Health Support

• Location: Lower back near the second lumbar vertebra

• Benefits: Strengthens Kidney energy, vital for sexual and reproductive wellness

6. BL32 (Ciliao) – Key Point for Vulvar Pain

• Location: Second sacral foramen (in the sacrum)

• Benefits: Highly effective for pelvic pain, vaginismus, and nerve-related vulvar discomfort

7. GB34 (Yanglingquan) – Relieves Muscle and Nerve Tension

• Location: Below the lateral knee

• Benefits: Soothes muscles, helps with pelvic floor dysfunction and pain syndromes

Common TCM Diagnoses Associated with Vulvodynia

Traditional Chinese Medicine doesn’t treat vulvodynia as a single condition. Instead, it identifies underlying imbalances such as:

• Liver Qi stagnation (stress-related pain and tension)

• Yin deficiency (chronic, burning-type pain)

• Damp-heat in the lower burner (swelling, inflammation, itching)

A skilled acupuncturist will determine the root cause and tailor treatment accordingly.

Why Choose Acupuncture for Vulvodynia?

Here are key benefits of choosing acupuncture for vulvar pain:

• Drug-free and natural alternative

• Few side effects compared to medications

• Improves both physical and emotional well-being

• Complements existing therapies like pelvic floor physiotherapy

Final Thoughts: Acupuncture as a Natural Treatment for Vulvodynia

If you're living with vulvodynia, acupuncture offers a holistic, gentle, and effective option for managing your symptoms. When performed by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture can reduce vulvar pain, balance hormones, and restore emotional calm.

Be sure to consult a licensed acupuncturist with experience in women’s health or pelvic pain disorders. Combining acupuncture with other therapies, like pelvic floor therapy and stress management, may deliver the best long-term results.

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  Sarah San Acupuncture is located near Esher, Cobham, Claygate, Oxshott, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Surrey.