Aches & Pains
Serving Chicago and North Shore
Aches & Pains
Pain is a bummer, and unfortunately women are significantly more likely to experience chronic pain than men.
Research has also shown that women’s bodies produce a more intense response to pain stimuli for reasons including hormonal fluctuations (estrogen impacts pain receptor activity) and nerve density (woman have greater nerve density than men), yet much of the research done into pain and pain relief has been conducted in male subjects.
At Pulling Down the Moon we believe that women don’t have to grin and bear chronic pain. The tools we offer - acupuncture, yoga, massage and nutrition - are clinically proven to help women manage, alleviate, or even heal the chronic pain that’s negatively impacting their energy levels, their sleep and exercise patterns, and even their relationships.
Below are some of the most common causes of pain in women. Sometimes it can be hard to talk about the aches and pains you’re experiencing - but rest assured that we've been treating women for over 20 years - and we can help.
- Pelvic Pain and Cramping: Women learn early that pain and cramping are a regular part of life via the menstrual cycle. Yet cramping ranges from mildly uncomfortable to excrutiating and debilitating. Conditions like endometriosis, scarring from pelvic injury, or trauma can lead to pain levels that make daily life a challenge. Pain during intercourse is another common condition that not only causes physical pain, it can cause emotional and relationship strain and shame, too.
- Vulvodynia: Up to 5% of women are impacted by this chronic condition causing pain, inflammation, and burning in the vulva. Similarly to pelvic pain, the constant irritation of vulvodynia can deeply impact quality of life, relationships, and intimacy.
- Migraines/Headaches: Women experience migraine headaches at a rate 3 times higher than men, and are more likely to report longer-lasting headaches, more pain, and symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Migraines can result from hormonal shifts, musculoskeletal conditions, and social-emotional challenges like stress and anxiety.
- Abdominal Pain: Like migraines, conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that can cause severe abdominal pain are more common in women. Treatment may involve dietary therapy to limit flare ups, combined with strategies for pain relief.
- Orthopedic Pain and Fibromyalgia: Low back pain, hip pain, stiff and painful necks - women are susceptible to all the aches and pains that come with a screen-focused, desk-chair-bound culture. In addition to these lifestyle-related orthopedic issues, fibromyalgia syndrome, which is characterized by widespread pain and tenderness on palpation (tender points), is much more common in women than in men in a proportion of 9:1. Women are also more likely to experience orthopedic conditions like scoliosis and bone loss that make them more susceptible to orthopedic pain.
- Pregnancy & Postpartum Aches and Pains: The female body's ultimate act of creation, pregnancy is a heroic feat that often comes with aches, pains, and fatigue. Unfortunately, many pain medications aren't appropriate for use during prenatal use, so women are often left to tough it out - at the expense of their sleep, emotional health, and well-being. While prenatal yoga and massage are well-known, few women realize that acupuncture is a very safe and effective tool for managing pain and other discomforts during pregnancy. Labor and postpartum recovery can also benefit from acupuncture, massage, and light therapy.
We Offer A Range Of Modalities To Help Everyone Manage Aches & Pains
Chronic pain isn't an isolated inconvenience. It can impact your body, mind, and spirit. Our team will help you find balance and feel good again.
Acupuncture for Pain Management
Comprehensive First Visit (90 min) - $155
Follow-Up Visits (60 min) - $98
Red Light Add-On - $35
Rates for clients with insurance coverage for acupuncture will vary.
Add your policy to our verification portal for a review of your acupuncture coverage.
Did you know that adding regular acupuncture visits to your pain management regimen could help further ease your symptoms? Begin the healing journey with a 90-minute Comprehensive First Visit. Our licensed acupuncturist will start the session with a consultation that covers your medical history and treatment objectives (relief for specific symptoms or general wellness). They’ll also conduct an assessment using Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques including: feeling the pulse, examining the tongue, and asking specific questions related to how and where the pain manifests in your body.
The initial visit also includes your first needling session. You'll then receive a treatment plan tailored around your specific goals, whether that's support for occasional flair-ups, seasonally occurring conditions, injuries, or chronic pain. You may also receive guidance regarding the frequency of follow-up visits, recommendations for herbal supplements, cupping, and referrals for additional services that can help you maintain your overall wellbeing. Established clients may add Red Light Therapy to their follow-up visits for advanced healing.
Massage For Pain Management
60 min Therapeutic session - $120
90 min Therapeutic session - $170
60 min FEM session - $145
90 min FEM session - $195
Red Light Add-On - $35
We do not accept insurance for massage services.
Adding regular massages to your self-care routine can ease muscle tension, boost mood, and increase your body's ability to manage pain. Treat yourself to a blissful therapeutic massage for improved circulation and overall relaxation. Our therapists will work with you to address specific discomforts within the scope of their expertise and create a treatment plan that can have a positive impact on your energy, mobility, digestion, and more!
Women may further benefit from specialized sessions such as Mercier Therapy or our exclusive Cleanse The Core™ Detoxifier, part of Pulling Down the Moon's comprehensive FEM™ Protocol. These massages can address reproductive organ health, pelvic floor stability, scar tissue, hormonal balance, lymphatic drainage, detoxification, vagus nerve stimulation, and more. Add Red Light Therapy to any massage session for advanced healing.
Every massage session includes your choice of 60- or 90-minutes hands-on therapy as well as 10-15 minutes of assessment, education, and post-visit self-care recommendations.
Nutrition For Pain Management
Comprehensive Initial Consultation (60 min) - $125
Follow-Up Consultations (45 min) - $85
All nutrition consultations are virtual. Available to clients in Illinois, Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana & Virginia. Rates for clients with insurance coverage for nutrition will vary.
Add your policy to our verification portal for a review of your nutrition coverage.
Here's some food for thought: persistent pain can disrupt your appetite, making it difficult for your body to maintain optimal functionality. Chronic pain can also introduce new food sensitivities, increased sugar cravings, or metabolic fluctuations into an already frustrating situation.
Revamp your approach to meal planning and restore balance with an individualized nutrition plan that aligns with your symptoms and lifestyle.
Add functional medicine tests such as the DUTCH Test and GI Map for more comprehensive dietary insights.
Whether you want to manage weight, increase your intake of essential nutrients, minimize inflammatory foods, or maximize gut health, our team will help you find the perfect eating plan to decrease chronic pain and increase enjoyment. After all, healthy eating is an important ingredient to a happy life.
