Finding Relief from Vulvodynia: How Dry Needling May Help Pelvic Floor Pain

If you’ve been living with vulvodynia—a condition that causes burning, stinging, or raw pain in the vulva—you know how frustrating and isolating it can be. For many people, the pain starts without warning and lingers without explanation. It may feel worse during sitting, sex, tampon use, or even just wearing tight clothing.

But there’s hope. New research shows that a technique called dry needling may offer relief—especially when the pain is linked to tight pelvic muscles and trigger points.

What Is Vulvodynia?

Vulvodynia means chronic vulvar pain without an obvious cause. It can affect any age group and often feels like burning, irritation, or pressure in the vaginal or vulvar area. Sometimes it’s constant, other times it’s triggered by touch (this is called provoked vestibulodynia, or PVD).

While vulvodynia is complex, studies show that many people with it also have tight, overactive pelvic floor muscles. These muscles can develop myofascial trigger points—small, painful knots that refer pain to nearby areas like the vulva, thighs, or bladder.^1,4

What Is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a gentle technique where very thin, sterile needles are placed into tight or sensitive muscles. The goal is to release tension, improve blood flow, and calm irritated nerves. It’s not the same as acupuncture—dry needling targets specific muscle knots (trigger points) to relieve pain at the source.

In the pelvic floor, dry needling can:

• Relax muscles that are too tight
• Reduce burning or stabbing pain
• Improve coordination and muscle function
• Calm down the nervous system so it’s less sensitive to touch^1,2

What Does the Research Say?

Dry needling is showing strong potential as a treatment for pelvic pain and vulvodynia. Here’s what the studies tell us:

• A randomized controlled trial in 2024 showed that women with chronic pelvic pain had less pain and nervous system sensitivity after five dry needling sessions—and they still felt better three months later.¹
• In a case report, a woman with vulvodynia for over 20 years had complete relief after just two dry needling sessions—and the results lasted for nine months.²
• An ongoing clinical trial is currently studying dry needling specifically for provoked vestibulodynia. Early data shows it’s safe and well-tolerated, and researchers are exploring how it affects pain, sexual function, and muscle health.³
• Older research shows that treating pelvic floor trigger points with manual therapy can ease similar conditions like bladder pain and urgency. This supports the idea that dry needling—another way to target these trigger points—can help with vulvodynia too.⁴

Why This Matters

For many patients, vulvodynia treatment feels like trial and error. Medications may help some, but others feel little relief. Topical creams, physical therapy, and dietary changes can also make a difference—but when myofascial pain is the missing link, those tight, painful muscle knots need to be addressed directly.

Dry needling offers a non-surgical, drug-free option to do just that. It targets the muscle and nerve dysfunction that may be fueling your pain, while supporting the body’s natural healing process.

What to Expect From Treatment

In my clinic, dry needling for pelvic pain is:

• External and gentle, (no internal exam or work)
• Performed with ultra-fine, sterile needles
• Focused on pelvic floor, hip, and lower abdominal muscles
• Often combined with breathwork, movement education, or acupuncture

Most patients begin to notice changes within a few sessions—less burning, easier sitting, and a greater sense of comfort and control.

You Deserve Relief—Without Shame

Vulvodynia is real. It’s not “just in your head,” and you’re not alone. If you’ve been struggling with persistent vulvar or vaginal pain, there are tools that can help—and dry needling is one of them.

Book your consultation today and let’s explore a personalized approach that supports your body, your comfort, and your healing.

Start your path toward relief—naturally, safely, and with care.

References

1. Aghaie M, Ghamkhar L, Mohammadi A, et al. Effect of dry needling on pain and central sensitization in women with chronic pelvic pain: A randomized parallel-group controlled clinical trial. Pain Res Manag. 2024;2024:11152953. PMC
2. Ahn SH, Lee YS, Lee JH. Successful treatment of vulvodynia with dry needling using a specially designed round needle (Ahn’s needle): A case report. Anesth Pain Med. 2012;7(1):22-24. PDF
3. ClinicalTrials.gov. Dry Needling for Provoked Vestibulodynia. NCT05797480. Updated February 4, 2025. Link
4. Fitzgerald MP, Kotarinos R. Pelvic floor myofascial trigger points: Manual therapy for interstitial cystitis and the urgency-frequency syndrome. J Urol. 2001;166(6):2226–2231. AUA Journals