Trigger point in external abdominal oblique

[benzo]

Went to my PT today, after a 7-month period of feeling relatively OK.
The last couple of weeks I noticed a serious flareup though. I did notice that the side of my abdomen was particulary sensitive when performing self-massage with a rubber massage ball, causing referred pain in the rectum. I was already thinking it had something to do with my bowels but my PT was able to pinpoint the exact location today. After going over 2 other possible trigger points in the abdomen the 3rd one was spot on. He pressed down and told me to lift my leg which caused massive pain where he was pressing. He told me it was a trigger point in the external abdominal oblique.
Apparantly it can cause referred pain in the rectum and testicles, which seems to the case with a lot of abdominal trigger points.
This picture gives a good idea of its location.





He subsequently treated it and advised to refrain from exercising my lateral abs for a while.
I'm going to take it easy for a couple of days and see where this is going.
He will treat the other side in 2 weeks or so.

[texas2006]

Hello!

I read your posts from time to time and I wonder if you ever have tried the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol, and your experience with it?

Thanks!
Ryan

[benzo]

Hello!

I read your posts from time to time and I wonder if you ever have tried the Stanford/Wise-Anderson Protocol, and your experience with it?

Thanks!
Ryan

Hi Ryan,

thanks for asking. Like virtually everyone else on this board I have AHIP on the shelf so I'm familiar with the techniques that are described in the book.
I have contemplated of travelling to California but since I live in Europe this is not a simple task. There's also the money issue: I understand it's about $5000 for the treatment alone so if you add travel + hotel + rental car it's not an easy decision. I talked several times to Dr. Wise over the phone and he struck me as an straightforward man so I really value his opinions.
I have a PT that is skilled in myofascial therapy and has read AHIP. Travelling to the USA is one thing but continuing your therapy at home is another of course.
Apart from that I perform the AHIP stretches after every workout session. I know some people on this board advise against weight training but it energizes me and makes you feel, well less like a patient if you know what I mean.
In spite of my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome I want to live life to the fullest and I think that involves doing the things you like such as working out, indulging in a good glass of wine, having passionate sex with my girlfriend and succeed in your career. I couldn't imagine myself sitting on the sofa, doing nothing but thinking about my pain all day, trying to avoid all physical exercise but stretching and drinking tea and water. I am quite a hedonist so that's not really an option.
I think it's all about finding the right balance: I do eat very healthy, I take supplements (quercetine, zinc, magnesium, vitamine C and Omega-3), I exercise and I stretch. I work in IT Sales and have quite a stressful job with lots of driving but I like my job. Talking about stress: some of my most intense flareups were while on holiday.

[CppsDad]

I really find a lot of symptoms improved from abdominal work, cobra stretches, and massage. I think your therapist is onto something there.

Mike