Acupuncture for Pudendal Neuralgia: Natural Relief for Pelvic Pain
Are you suffering from chronic pelvic pain, burning, or numbness while sitting? You may be dealing with pudendal neuralgia, a condition that affects the pudendal nerve, crucial nerve responsible for sensory and motor function in the pelvic floor leading to persistent discomfort in the pelvic, perineal, and genital areas. Pudendal neuralgia is a nerve pain disorder caused by compression, irritation, or inflammation of the pudendal nerve and supplies sensation to the lower pelvic region, including the genitals and rectum.
Pathway of the pudendal nerve
Anatomy of the pudendal nerve:
The pudendal nerve originates from the sacral plexus (S2-S4 sacral spinal nerve roots) and travels through the pelvis (through the greater sciatic foramen) around the around the sacrospinous ligament and ischial spine, back into the pelvis through the lesser sciatic foramen, through the pudendal canal-a sheath in the obturator internus fascia, and then branches into the the inferior rectal nerve (to the anal sphincter and skin), the perineal nerve (to the perineum and pelvic floor muscles) and the dorsal nerve of the clitoris or penis (providing genital sensation).
Because of its long and vulnerable pathway, the pudendal nerve can be entrapped, stretched, or compressed at multiple anatomical points-especially near the ischial spine and sacrospinous ligament, where the nerve is close to rigid structures and pelvic muscles.
Common symptoms of pudendal neuralgia:
Burning, sharp, or shooting pelvic pain
Numbness in the vaginal, perineal, or rectal area
Increased pain while sitting, cycling, or after sexual activity
Feeling of a foreign object in the rectum or vagina
Tingling or electric shock-like sensations
While pudendal neuralgia is considered under-diagnosed, it’s more common than previously thought-especially in women (estimated to women are affect more than twice as much then men) and individuals with chronic pelvic pain, post-surgical nerve damage, or pelvic floor dysfunction.
Why Choose Acupuncture for Pudendal Neuralgia?
Acupuncture is a time-tested treatment that stimulates specific points on the body to:
Reduce nerve inflammation
Relieve neuropathic pelvic pain
Improve blood circulation to pelvic tissues
Calm overactive nerves and reduce pelvic muscle tension
Promote the release of endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers
What Does the Research Say?
Recent studies support acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndromes, including pudendal neuralgia. Below are 2 research studies showing that acupuncture reduced pain scores and improved quality of life in individuals with pelvic neuralgia conditions.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10493142/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10695139/
Furthermore, electroacupuncture-a form of acupuncture that applies gentle electrical pulses—has shown promise in nerve regeneration and neuromodulation, making it a valuable tool in managing pudendal nerve-related pain.
What to Expect at Healing Feeling Acupuncture & Wellness:
At our Fremont, Seattle acupuncture clinic, we take a personalized, gentle approach to pudendal neuralgia treatment that includes a comprehensive intake where we assess your medical history, symptoms, and potential nerve compression causes, targeted acupuncture often times including deep needling in the sacral foramen (foramen 2-4), pelvic floor acupuncture, and trigger points associated with pudendal nerve entrapment. Depending on the case we may do electroacupuncture to gently stimulate nerve repair and reduce chronic nerve pain. Often times will also do manual releases of the ligaments around the nerve like the sacrospinous ligament and the obturator internus fascia. We also provide pelvic wellness lifestyle advice to support long-term healing.
Sessions are calm, safe, private, and supportive- creating space for your nervous system to reset and recover.
