Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol - what if I can't get to Stanford?

[fjt]

I've been reading this forum and also A HEADACHE IN THE PELVIS. It seems that the only way you can actually benefit from SP is by going to Stanford and receiving instruction in the techniques OR finding someone near you who specialises in SP. Is this the case? I can't go to Stanford (I'm not even in the US) and I dont think there is anyone in my country (South Africa) who specialises in SP (I've tried to find someone believe me!!). Does anyone have any suggestions on what I might be able to do instead?

Background: I have been suffering from chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome for about 10 months now. I was diagnosed with chronic prostatitis but I think the doctors only did that because they didn't know what was wrong with me. Eventually I was tested for Chlamydia and came back positive. The Chlamydia was successfully eradicated. Now I have this feeling of "stiffness" and "tightness" in the area of my coccyx. It almost feel as if there is something stuck in my rectum sometimes. This is VERY uncomfortable and often painful. Sometimes this feeling "shifts" to my prostate area but it doesnt feel like the prostate itself. My prostate is not swollen. In fact during the rectal examination (of the prostate) I dont feel any pain. Weird! I came down with all this during what was certainly the most stressful time of my life. My guess is muscle spasm. Other theories are most welcome.

SP is something that I would really like to try but it doesnt look as if that will be possible for me. So, any advice from anyone would be much appreciated.

[scotsman]

SP is something that I would really like to try but it doesn't look as if that will be possible for me. So, any advice from anyone would be much appreciated.

If you've already bought 'A Headache in the Pelvis' then you can start doing the stretching exercises it details there plus relaxation work (neither of which you need to go to Stanford for). For me the stretching it details in the book made a big different in the overall tightness and stiffness of my pelvis. I did it religiously every day (usually twice).

The latest edition of the book also has diagrams for internal triggerpoint work and you could always start that yourself (being very careful initially). I'd also recommend buying some relaxation books/CD's (do a search on here for suggestions).

Have you tried phoning round to find a physiotherapist who does trigger point/myofascial release work? (rather than asking them if they do SP).

Richard.

[CppsDad]

I agree with Richard. Start the stretching and relaxation exercises immediately, as they are really helpful.

As far as PT goes, the area around the coxcyx if probably the easiest to treat. The rectal tightness and the coxcyx pain are very accessible. So that's a good sign. If you want to find a PT, you might be able to find a doctor that treats women for IC and other incontinence issues. But a trigger points/myofascial release specialist should be able to do it as well.

But if you can't find anyone, then by all means treat yourself. As I said, the areas you report pain in are the easiest to reach. Do some reading, and as always, be careful in whatever you do. Your first self-treatment sessions should be more exploratory than actual work, so you can learn your way around.

Michael