Increase of Symptom

[AttyRod]

I've been reading some of the threads on an increase of symptoms following PT/stretches. I'm still trying to coax my GP into writing me a prescription to see a wonderful SP trained therapist here in the state. As I've started doing the AHIP stretches more regularly at home the last few days, I seem to have had a slight increase in nighttime urination. I wonder if others have encountered this as well. Perhaps its just the fact that I've recently begun drinking more liquids during the day, namely Kava tea. (I believe it's been quite uplifting, yet calming for me.)

-Rod in Wisconsin

[Richie]

Same here. Stretching results in almost immediate flares for me. It supposedly gets worse before it gets better. I am only two weeks in on serious stretching so I will keep it up.

[alprost]

The important thing to remember here is that stretching is only part of the treatment after pelvic floor dysfunction has been diagnosed. It might be that stretching pelvic muscles which which are full of trigger points may well increase your symptoms.

I'd take it gently until you see a PT.

[treynor33]

My PT specifically told me not to stretch any areas we are working on until we are done.

[SickofCP]

My PT specifically told me not to stretch any areas we are working on until we are done.

That doesn't make sense to me, and also isn't in line with what the Stanford people will tell you.

[treynor33]

All of them have different angles I guess. In only four appts my frequency has dropped from approx 16-20 times a day to around 8-10. And my only remaining pain is below the perineum and inside upper thigh area where we haven't worked yet. No more bladder or prostrate pain. She did a lot of work in my upper torso straightening out different muscles etc. Which by the way made things unfomfortable and painful for a while.

Whatever works right? There are plenty of people who have gotten better without follwoing everything in SP. Although the PT is a huge part of it.

[CppsDad]

Stretching is generally a good thing to do, but I agree that if the particular muscle you are stretching is so tight and shortened and filled with trigger points, stretching it COULD irritate the trigger points. In my own experience, stretching caused flare ups in the early stages. It wasn't until I started physical therapy that things started to finally improve. The other thing is that the first few months can be rough, so whatever you do, just keep your head down and plow ahead. You HAVE to get passed the tough beginning. It might take a few months, but you will get passed the first round of pain. After that, stretching will be much easier.

[AttyRod]

Thank you all for the good advice. It's the oddest thing. I'm suddenly able to go MUCH longer during the day between urinations, yet the nighttime urinations have notably increased (as a result?)