Bowling?

[jerry025]

I used to be a regular league bowler and a pretty good one at that. Since I had surgery on my Achilles last year I haven't bowled in league, but I had developed my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms while recovering from that. I have bowled a few times this year, but can't tell if it aggravated things or not. Just curious if anyone out there thought bowling would make things any worse. My symptoms now are mainly this irritation in the subrapubic area that seems to be made worse by a bowel movement or after I urinate. This is much worse at work where I sit all day and it still persists though I have purchased one of those those cushions from the IC site.

[boulder]

Well, I can feel the load on my pelvic floor when carrying big bags of groceries, so I'm sure a bowling ball is going to be putting load on there as well, not to mention, you must be throwing the pelvic floor and related musculature into it when you swing and release the ball (sorry, don't know the bowling lingo), and then brace after the release (at least that's what I feel my body doing after I release the ball). These are just thoughts, and I'm not a doctor- or much of a bowler, obviously! There are some more knowledgeable members of this forum who can probably comment on this better...

Also, it's very common to knock back a few "oat sodas" while bowling, right? Alcohol flares some folks, especially beer.

[jerry025]

Well, I've pretty much given up alcohol. I haven't been a big drinker for the most part in my life. I would binge drink on the weekends at times in my younger days, but not even so much of that the past few years. I drink now and then when bowling, but not normally.

Your thoughts about putting pressure on the pelvis make sense. I would just hate to have to give it up after so many years of doing it. My symptoms aren't normally incredibly intense, but they are always present, and I would like to do something about it so it doesn't get any worse and hopefully will get back to normal at some point.

[BrettP]

I just flared up from swinging a bat playing over the line, so it doesnt take much! I also used to be an avid bowler, but wouldnt dare try and bowl. I could be mistaken, but bowling is somewhat hard on the pelvic floor. The approach, the swinging of a 16 pound ball, the leg swinging behind, and the squating. I love bowling as well, and have actually decided against going to prevent a flare up. Just my two cents.

[strobers]

I had to give up racquetball, which really sucks as I've played over 20 years. My exercise nowadays revolves around walking and stretching. I'm getting a lot of reading in though, so I guess there is a silver lining in everything.

[jerry025]

Thanks for the replies guys. After the few times I bowled in the last few months I can't tell if it made things worse or not. Maybe I'll see how the summer goes and make a decision in the fall.

[calguy]

If you enjoy it and it takes your mind off everything then it may be good for you. You have to stretch muscles a little. Afterwords just do some relaxation or take hot bath. It is important to do things you enjoy it is good for the soul and mind. I think I set myslef back going snow boarding but that it way more intense! I was going to take up golf as old men in there 70's can do it I figure I might be able to, I swear I feel like an old man at 33. Take it easy and enjoy!

[latte]

I play golf twice a week. Sometimes my pelvis acted up but I just go home after the round and sit in my jacuzzi and stretch. Its all a matter of managing our chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome condition. I wouldn't give up an activity you enjoy because I was scared of it. Remember, this condition responds to our therapies so I don't think you can do any permanent damage. I'd go for it unless you find it really painful.

[jerry025]

Thanks. I have bowled a few times and it hasn't seemed to make things any worse, but I was just curious if anyone out there had some firsthand experience with it. Guess I won't know until I try.

[carld]

I have a very strong opinion about this not because it's bowling....I did it and it was a blast and caused no further irritation....

Life is to be lived and not endured....Do what you love or I like to say charge hard in life but in a relaxed way....I still do everything I did before my onset, the only thing that's changed is my mental thoughts and my control over stress and anxiety....I say throw that ball and knock those pins down...

[scoobysnacks]

Yeah man, if you like to bowl, then bowl, the protocols are more of a coping device for me, I do EVERYTHING I pretty much want.

Ss

[jerry025]

Thanks Carl and Scooby. I'm still kind of in the stage where I don't know exactly what's going on and what makes it worse or what makes it better. I am trying to stay more relaxed and that does seem to help. I definitely want to start bowling and other activities again that I used to do.

[BrettP]

Another thing, and you all may laugh at this, but video games have proved to be an AWESOME outlet for me. I have never been an avid gamer, ever. However, I recently bought a PS3 for the bluray capability, and what can I say, I got sucked into some games. Mainly call of duty 4, where you can play online and shoot each other up, its pretty damn amazing. BUT, if you do find that bowling upsets your pelvic floor, there is a game on the ps3 which you can download that is a bowling game. And let me tell you, it is FANTASTIC. ITs wireless, so you can hold the controller like you would a ball, adjust your spin, and make an approach, without all the stress from holding a 16 pound ball. The physics of the game are also quite realistic, and as a bowler, I have found this to be a fun experience, you can also go online and play against other people.... just a thought.

[strobers]

You can bowl with a WI. It is a lot of fun and a lot like the real thing.

I on-line game too. I have a nice cumfy chair and my trusted pad. My game of choice is COD 1. I play in a clan and really enjoy myself. Time goes by fast and when you aren't feeling good, that's a very good thing. It's also a great stress outlet. I miss racquetball terribly, but at least I can still walk and have other pursuits that relax me and are enjoyable.

There is no doubt in my mind that the day will come when I will be back to normal and I can get back on a racquetball court.