Exercise - why it flares / helps?

[Richie]

I read many different opinions on the above. Here is mine for what its worth.

Exercising for me flares a sensitive area within hours if the exercise in question impacts the taught pelvic muscles. In my case, weight lifting is fine, but walking flares my pelvic area within hours of the event.

The positive in weight lifting is the endorfin release gives me a positive mood change and generally a chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome pain free day.

So I think if you can do something to work up a sweat without seriously disturbing the chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome area, this is a good thing and perhaps an alternative to the pills.

[brianinthenorthwoods]

Richie,

I am curious to know about your condition before you started lifting (and taking other steps to improve your chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome condition.) In other words, how much of your improvement would you credit to weightlifting and exercise?
Thanks.

Brian

[Richie]

I would credit my progress in order of importance as follows:

1. Eliminating the irritant wheat / Gluten
2. Very consistent stretching and TP
3. Lack of stressful life events
4. Exercise.

I have been at this about a year and a half. I would characterize my symptoms as a mild occasional irritation these days.

[timberdoodle]

I've been wondering about the conventional wisdom on exercise a bit myself lately. I know that running and sit ups and various forms of exercise cause flares, but doesn't it seem reasonable to think that persistent exercise of the pelvic floor muscles would eventually make the muscles more limber and strong?

I was looking at the pilates program, where they do various exercises to strengthen what they call the "inner core" muscles, and figured that might be helpful to those of us with abdominal triggers. But I know others might say it would cause flare-ups and to stay away from it.

I've recently started a Nordic track exercise program. We'll see how it goes.

[conradin]

Stretching helps, but exercises, esp. weight lifting, can be harmful and one should approach it with caution.

I jog every other day and it seemed to help.