Specialist Pelvic Health Acupuncture in Gosport

A specialist approach to pelvic health acupuncture

Pelvic health symptoms are often complex. Pain, muscle tension, bladder signalling, hormonal influences, previous surgery and heightened sensitivity may all contribute to how symptoms develop and persist.

For this reason, acupuncture is not offered as an isolated or one-size-fits-all treatment.

Your first appointment includes a comprehensive assessment to understand:

• the symptoms you are experiencing
• how long they have been present
• any diagnoses, investigations or previous treatment
• relevant bladder, menstrual and pelvic health factors
• your current medical care
• what you most want treatment to help you achieve

Where acupuncture is appropriate, it can then form part of a personalised treatment plan. This may also include pelvic floor rehabilitation, bladder retraining, relaxation strategies, movement advice or liaison with your GP or specialist team.

Who may benefit from pelvic health acupuncture?

Pelvic health acupuncture may be considered for women experiencing:

• endometriosis-related pelvic pain
• persistent or chronic pelvic pain
• painful periods or menstrual discomfort
• overactive bladder symptoms
• urinary urgency and frequency
• waking frequently at night to pass urine
• pelvic floor muscle tension or overactivity
• protective muscle guarding associated with pelvic pain

You do not need to have a new diagnosis to seek help. Some women attend following a recent diagnosis, while others have been managing symptoms for many years or have found that previous treatment has not provided sufficient relief.

Acupuncture for endometriosis-related pelvic pain

Endometriosis can cause persistent pelvic pain, painful periods and symptoms that fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. It can affect work, exercise, sleep, relationships and everyday quality of life.

Acupuncture does not treat or remove endometriosis itself. However, some women choose acupuncture as an additional way of managing pain, muscular tension and the wider impact of persistent symptoms.

Treatment can be used alongside medical management, hormonal treatment, pelvic health physiotherapy or care provided by your GP or gynaecology team.

The aim is to provide additional support while ensuring that your wider healthcare remains appropriately coordinated.

Acupuncture for chronic pelvic pain and pelvic muscle tension

Persistent pelvic pain is not always explained by one single structure or diagnosis.

In some women, pelvic floor overactivity, protective muscle guarding and increased sensitivity contribute to ongoing discomfort. Symptoms may include a persistent pelvic ache, abdominal or lower back discomfort, pain during certain activities or a feeling that the pelvic muscles are unable to relax.

Acupuncture may be used alongside pelvic health rehabilitation to support relaxation, reduce pain sensitivity and make symptoms easier to manage.

Your treatment plan will be based on your individual presentation rather than the location of pain alone.

Acupuncture for overactive bladder, urgency and frequency

Overactive bladder may cause a sudden and difficult-to-defer need to pass urine, frequent toilet visits and waking during the night to urinate.

These symptoms can significantly affect confidence, sleep, travel, exercise and everyday routines.

Acupuncture may be considered as an additional treatment option for selected patients. It will usually sit alongside established pelvic health approaches such as bladder retraining, pelvic floor coordination, fluid and caffeine advice and strategies for controlling urgency.

It is not presented as a replacement for specialist bladder assessment or medical treatment. Your response will be reviewed carefully so that treatment continues only where it is providing meaningful benefit.

What happens during acupuncture treatment?

Acupuncture uses very fine needles placed at selected points on the body. The points used will depend on your symptoms, medical history and treatment goals and will be explained before treatment begins.

Some people feel very little as the needles are inserted. Others notice a brief pinprick, dull ache, warmth or heaviness. Treatment should remain comfortable, and you can ask for any needle to be adjusted or removed at any time.

Your comfort, privacy and consent remain central throughout the appointment.

Your first appointment

Your initial appointment lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes:

• a detailed discussion about your symptoms and medical history
• appropriate pelvic health and acupuncture safety screening
• an explanation of the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms
• discussion of whether acupuncture is suitable for you
• your first acupuncture treatment, where appropriate
• an individually tailored treatment plan

An internal pelvic floor examination is not automatically required in order to receive acupuncture.

Where an internal assessment could provide useful clinical information, this will be discussed separately. It will only ever be performed with your informed consent and can be declined without affecting your right to care.

Follow-up appointments

Follow-up acupuncture appointments last approximately 40 minutes.

At each appointment, your response to treatment will be reviewed and the treatment adapted where necessary. Progress will be judged against the symptoms and goals that matter to you, rather than following a fixed protocol.

Some women choose to attend for individual appointments. Others prefer a structured course of treatment. The likely number and frequency of appointments will be discussed after your initial assessment.

Pelvic health acupuncture prices

Initial assessment and first acupuncture treatment – 90 minutes
£155

Includes comprehensive pelvic health assessment, acupuncture safety screening, your first treatment where appropriate and a personalised treatment plan.

Acupuncture follow-up – 40 minutes
£75

Course of six acupuncture follow-up appointments
£420

Equivalent to £70 per follow-up appointment, saving £30.

The initial assessment is not included in the course price. A course will normally be recommended only after your first appointment, once your individual needs and likely treatment plan are understood.

Why choose Solent Specialist Physiotherapy?

Pelvic health acupuncture is delivered within our established specialist pelvic health service in Gosport.

This means your treatment benefits from:

• specialist pelvic health knowledge
• detailed assessment before treatment begins
• an understanding of pelvic floor overactivity, bladder dysfunction and persistent pain
• treatment tailored to your diagnosis, symptoms and personal goals
• the option to combine acupuncture with pelvic health rehabilitation
• liaison with your GP, consultant or wider medical team where appropriate
• confidential and respectful care in a supportive clinical environment

Our objective is not to offer acupuncture indiscriminately. It is to determine whether it is an appropriate part of your care and to use it thoughtfully within a clear, individualised treatment plan.

Meet our pelvic health specialist→