Stretching Exercises

[webslave]

Just tried some of the stretching exercises in A Headache in the Pelvis, and I was amazed to find that I have a lot of stiff, tight, painful muscles in my pelvis. With one exercise I almost cried out with pain. The pain was on my right side only, which is also the side on which I had the worst chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome problems. The pain seemed to extend all the way to the outside of my hip.

After the exercises I sat down to write this and there is a oddly light, relaxed feeling in the groin. Wierd!

If anyone else experiences this, please post here.

[alprost]

Normally my physio has to re-align my pelvis/spine at the start of each session. He recently gave me some stretches to do at home similar to some of those in the book, and I've added in the other ones in the book. They must do some good, because the last 4 times I have been he has not needed to re-align my back once.

[TK]

After the exercises I sat down to write this and there is a oddly light, relaxed feeling in the groin. Weird!

If anyone else experiences this, please post here.

My prepublication copy of "Headache" did not include the diagrams of the stretching excercises. But my physiotherapist gave me a set of stretches that are probably similar since they target the pelvic floor and adjacent/attached muscles.

I did have a similar experience, both after initially starting the therapy and the excercises. No doubt there is a more specific explaination that addresses the actual neuromuscular events . But in broader terms, it seems to me that, I had become so accustomed to the pain from that tension that I was not aware of it until it was released. A great feeling, no?

Like yours, my experience also suggests that the "side" that had the more severe muscle tension problems was also the side where I experienced the preponderance of pain. I recall some posts where others reported the same thing. I guess this is not surprising to the extent that it is intuitive in terms of common experience.

(Maybe we've all become so accustomed to the baffling aspects of our condition that we're surprised when we experience something that can be understood in relatively straightforward terms)

You might want to try gently massaging the muscles in the "crease" between your leg and your inner thighs, concentrating a little more on the inner leg. I find that enhances relaxation.

For those who have begun to suspect that this "Pelvic Myoneuropathy" might hold the answer for them -- I suggest trying this GENTLE massaging. If this brings a small, but definite sensation of relief, a feeling of "softening", then this might be a good preliminary indication that this is worth pursuing.

[DX]

I have been doing stretches from Headache in the Pelvis for about a month now combined with Relaxation. The results have been so amazing and after the sheer agony of the past 8 months, I even had 3 completely symptom free days last week. The symptoms came back after I had to go to a conference and sit in uncomfortable chairs for two days. However, my experience led me to believe that David Wise has it right (at least in my case) and I am starting a treatment with a therapist he recommended in NYC. I also have to agree with everyone who posted before about high integrity of David Wise. He didn't try to sell me anything and offered help, even if I can't come out and do their treatment in Stanford.

I am not quite sure what to expect from the trigger point release. The opinions ranged from it being extremely painful to no big deal. I did prostate massage in the past and found it incredibly painful.

[TK]

I am starting a treatment with a therapist he recommended in NYC.

I am also in NYC, and was treated by a physical therapist recommended by Dr. Wise -- probably the same group to which he referred you. You are in excellent hands!

[tstclr]

Can the exercises explained in the book be done at home, or do you need to seek out a therapist to assist you with them? Also, can the book be purchased in Canada?
Thanks
Todd

[Maurice]

Can the exercises explained in the book be done at home, or do you need to seek out a therapist to assist you with them? Also, can the book be purchased in Canada?
Thanks
Todd

Hi Todd

Yes you can get the 2nd edition in Canada. You could do it through amazon I am told , or I went right to the Manufacturer of the 2nd edition of the book as the first edition was sold out. Also the toll free number was blocked for Canadians trying to call the USA number. Rayve Productions in California 707-838-6200 sent me the book on October 29 as per their email and I received it today on November 18 in Calgary Alberta Canada.
I have not had a chance to go thru it, just read the first chapter.

Maurice

[Maurice]

Can the exercises explained in the book be done at home, or do you need to seek out a therapist to assist you with them? Also, can the book be purchased in Canada?
Thanks
Todd

Todd,

After reading of the book, there are exercises in there that can be used at home. At the same time of receiving the book I finally found someone where I live, who does pelvic floor work for both women and men. She will also be getting a copy of the book. I have seen her three times so far and she adds in mild stretches to be done at home each time I see her starting with mild anterior and posterior contraction/release, pelvic floor squat, adductors, iliopsoas, and cobra stretch. As she is a physiotherapist specializing in pelvic floor dysfunction I now understand why Dr Wise wants you to have a "coach" that can help you through the ups and downs, the increase or decrease in pain, the understanding of if you press "here", what should this feel like. I have no idea if my physio will agree or disagree completely with Dr Wise as she hasnt read the book but she is very open to getting the book and working with the process. Her cursory skim through my copy allowed me to match some of the stretches in the book to stretches that she uses to accomplish the same thing.

So far into this process, I had no idea of how many muscle groups are involved in the pelvic area from the bottom of the rib cage all the way to your knees. I simply didn't realize how tight one can get and how one can tend to hold it in the pelvic area.

Hope this is of some help to someone out there.

Maurice