How to get out of the 'guarded state'
-
9999maverick88
- Beginner
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:11 pm
How to get out of the 'guarded state'
Someone in another post mentioned that a reason for pelvic pain may be because one has entered a permanent 'guarded state'. I think this describes what I have perfectly. My body feels like it's constantly on the defensive - like it needs to fend off some threat, even when I'm not doing anything arousing (like studying a book). Does anyone have any advice on how to get out of this state?
Onset Age: 13 Current Age: 21 History: Must of started as a urinary tract infection. My left testicle was hurting, and I waited about 2-3 years before mentioning it to the doctor. I was then put on antibiotics, which did not help. I saw 3-4 different urologists over the years. I was diagnosed with chronic epididymitis. About 2 years ago, the pain in my epididymis subsided, but I still have pain in the rectum/perineum/prostate areas. I have tried courses of antibiotics, ibuprofen, Prosta-Q, saw palmetto, cranberry juice, and many other natural remedies. This problem gets worse following defecation, or jogging/running. I definitely feel tightness in the pelvic floor, but I don't know how to relax it without concentrating on it (and thinking about this issue makes it much worse for me). I found over the years that my mind tends to focus on the pain, and if I'm distracted, it tends to get better. I read headache in the pelvis and feel that their interpretation of the problem is correct. I have recently started doing relaxation techniques and taking warm baths.
Re: How to get out of the 'guarded state'
That's the secret of life really. Most of us are trying to do that. Really, I don't see how anything but cognitive approaches such as meditation and therapy would permanently get you out of that state.
My psychologist, who deals mainly with chronic pain patients and uses mindfulness as technique makes a good argument in that we need to restructure our neural pathways that cause us to tense ourselves. That requires a time and a complete change in your outlook on life.
My psychologist, who deals mainly with chronic pain patients and uses mindfulness as technique makes a good argument in that we need to restructure our neural pathways that cause us to tense ourselves. That requires a time and a complete change in your outlook on life.
Age:24 | Onset Age:22 | Symptoms: Urgency and penile tip pain. Frequency at it worst. Reduced libido and functioning. | Helped By: Prostate massage. That's about it so far. Haven't thoroughly tried PT yet however. | Worsened By: Sitting. Perhaps stress and negative thoughts. Chiro, candida detox and standard treatments have not helped.
Re: How to get out of the 'guarded state'
Dr. wise talks about this. You can view the you tube video on the main page here.
This is the largest contributor to UCPPS. You can start by dropping the pelvic muscles. Or relax as if to pass urine. The pc muscle is a huge factor here. Let your stomach hang...Don't suck it in. Think Buddha here. It will be difficult and not feel natural at first...After practice, it will feel unnatural to clench.
Cognitive work for relaxation like autogenic relaxation is a good one...therapy,therapy,therapy...
http://www.chronic-pain-haven.com/autog ... ation.html
Best
This is the largest contributor to UCPPS. You can start by dropping the pelvic muscles. Or relax as if to pass urine. The pc muscle is a huge factor here. Let your stomach hang...Don't suck it in. Think Buddha here. It will be difficult and not feel natural at first...After practice, it will feel unnatural to clench.
Cognitive work for relaxation like autogenic relaxation is a good one...therapy,therapy,therapy...
http://www.chronic-pain-haven.com/autog ... ation.html
Best
I am not a medical doctor. Please fill out your signature (click here) ☼ ☼ My Starter List for new members
I encourage anxiety prone UCPPS people to consider L-Theanine
Age, 44 onset age 37 Feb 2006 Freq. need to urinate. Sensation of having to urinate soon after going. Perineum discomfort/burning/tightness, pubic area discomfort @ times,poor urine stream, post urine dripping/spray. All symptoms have improved with my protocol. At the worst I give it a 1 to 2 on irritation and discomfort and frequency. Helps: Elavil 5mg for anxiety and mast cell protection, (will only take it as needed) self internal PT as needed, stretching, walking, stairmaster cardio workout and light weights, reducing stress, moment to moment relaxation, deep breathing relaxation and using a Theracane. Makes worse: sitting for long periods, stress, over focusing on it. Currently 95%-98% recovered. Stay positive, relaxed and control your anxiety.
I encourage anxiety prone UCPPS people to consider L-Theanine
Age, 44 onset age 37 Feb 2006 Freq. need to urinate. Sensation of having to urinate soon after going. Perineum discomfort/burning/tightness, pubic area discomfort @ times,poor urine stream, post urine dripping/spray. All symptoms have improved with my protocol. At the worst I give it a 1 to 2 on irritation and discomfort and frequency. Helps: Elavil 5mg for anxiety and mast cell protection, (will only take it as needed) self internal PT as needed, stretching, walking, stairmaster cardio workout and light weights, reducing stress, moment to moment relaxation, deep breathing relaxation and using a Theracane. Makes worse: sitting for long periods, stress, over focusing on it. Currently 95%-98% recovered. Stay positive, relaxed and control your anxiety.
Re: How to get out of the 'guarded state'
What carld said.
Throughout the course of the day try to make yourself aware of any involuntary muscle tension you have (I noticed that I clenched my jaw a lot). This works the same for a "guarded pelvis." Next time you sit on the toilet, make note of how your pelvic floor drops. That is what a relaxed pelvic floor feels like. I've trained myself to let the pelvis drop and to not suck in my gut without even thinking about it. This has been one of the things that has made me pretty symptom free for a few months now.
Throughout the course of the day try to make yourself aware of any involuntary muscle tension you have (I noticed that I clenched my jaw a lot). This works the same for a "guarded pelvis." Next time you sit on the toilet, make note of how your pelvic floor drops. That is what a relaxed pelvic floor feels like. I've trained myself to let the pelvis drop and to not suck in my gut without even thinking about it. This has been one of the things that has made me pretty symptom free for a few months now.
Age: 31 | Onset Age: 25 for pain, 28 for urinary symptoms | Symptoms: right suprapubic pain (intermittent) radiating into right testicle and lower right back, frequent and urgent urination, sitting on golf ball feeling | Helped By: stretching, moment-to-moment relaxation | Worsened By: anxiety, stress, being on my feet for too long