Safety Concerns when Needling the Pelvis
Needling the pelvis, especially in the context of pelvic health interventions such as trigger point needling, dry needling or Ashi point needling, requires careful attention to safety considerations.
Safety concerns associated with needling the pelvis are:
Anatomy:
When using trigger point needling, the goal is to place the needle into muscle tissue. Precise knowledge of pelvic anatomy is crucial to avoid accidental injury to nearby structures, including the location of nerves, blood vessels, lymph chains and organs. Learning anatomy and physiology is crucial for a practitioner who needles the pelvis.
Patient Comfort and Communication:
Open communication with the patient is essential to ensure their comfort during the needling process. Practitioners should obtain informed consent, explain the procedure, and encourage patients to communicate during needling.
Sterile Technique:
Maintaining a sterile technique during needling procedures is crucial to prevent infections. Practitioners should use clean, sterile needles, and ensure proper hand hygiene and skin preparation. Whenever needling the peri area, it is recommended to use gloves and to clean the skin area. Needles should never be inserted more than once into the peri area.
Patient Positioning:
Proper patient positioning is important to access the pelvic area safely. Patients should be positioned comfortably, and practitioners should be mindful of potential discomfort or strain on the patient during the procedure. Often, the patient will be lying sideline for needling, so positioning them with a pillow for their head and between their knees is very helpful.
Professional Training:
Only trained and qualified healthcare professionals, such as acupuncturists or physical therapists with expertise in pelvic health, should perform needling in the pelvic region. Adequate training helps minimize the risk of complications.
Adverse Reactions:
Practitioners should closely monitor patients for any adverse reactions during or after needling. This includes observing for signs of excessive bleeding, unusual pain, or other unexpected reactions.
Contraindications and Precautions:
Understanding contraindications and precautions is vital. Certain conditions, such as pregnancy, coagulopathies, or local infections, may warrant avoiding or modifying needling procedures in the pelvic area.
Integration with Comprehensive Care:
Deep Needling in the pelvic region should be integrated into a comprehensive care plan that considers the patient's overall health, medical history, and TCM pattern. Collaboration with other healthcare providers may be necessary for optimal patient care.
Post-Needling Instructions:
Providing clear post-needling instructions to patients is important. This includes guidance on activities to avoid, potential side effects, and when to seek medical attention if any concerns arise. Don’t forget, whenever needling trigger points, we are eliciting a micro inflammatory response, so that the tissues will change and begin to heal themselves. This often means recommending heat versus ice and limiting anti-inflammatory medicines. It is also important to encourage clients to drink more water than usual.
Informed Consent:
Obtaining informed consent is a critical aspect of ensuring patient autonomy and safety. Patients should be informed about the procedure, potential risks, and benefits before undergoing pelvic needling.
When aware of the safety considerations, trigger point needling of the pelvis can be a game changer for our clients. Its our job as practitioners to adhere to safety standards, stay up-to-date with best practices, and prioritize the well-being of their patients when incorporating needling into pelvic health interventions. Additionally, understanding and following relevant regulatory guidelines and scope of practice is essential for safe and effective pelvic needling procedures.
To learn more about my comprehensive approach to pelvic care click here.