Exercise (running) has helped a lot

[69barracuda]

Hi I been a runner for 20 years plus. Four months ago I stopped running due to chest pains. A month into no running I developed prostate problems- swollen prostate, pain during ejaculation and intense pain in the peri-anal area. I was given antibiotics which only helped temporarily. I also gave up coffee and beer. Last Monday I started jogging again and my prostate symptoms diminished 75%. I still have irritation but not like before. The peri-anal pain is gone, just pain in the testicles. I am drinking coffee and beer again. I do believe that my prostate problems were caused by stress. The running for me relaxes the muscles in the pelvic region. I have read a lot of posts learning what you guys have done to relax. I know running won't help everyone but finding your own way to relax your muscles can help.

Dan

[Manick]

I personally have to be careful with running if I am experiencing a high level of symptoms. From what I understand, any exercise that will have a high impact on your body will harm your muscles even more if they are already highly tense and strained. I did quite a bit of walking and running one week during the summer, but my pain only progressively got worse because I was drinking coffee every day as well. I think that if anyone is in a relatively pain free state, it may be OK to run as much as you are comfortable with. I also hear swimming is an excellent, low impact but highly effective way to keep your muscles in shape without causing them much harm. Unfortunately, I have been out of shape for quite a long time and hadn't done any serious exercise of any sort in over 5 years.

[Canbob]

Until I developed chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome almost three years ago, I had been a runner most of my life. I stopped running based on advice from my uro and all the warning I had read on this forum and in other places. After I tried everything ... and I mean everything ... with only moderate improvement in my symptoms, I said what the hell and thought I would again give running a try. At first it really hurt and the hurt cause fear. But then I went through the chicken and the egg scenario in my mind and decided to continue. Later I concluded that in fact my symptoms were worse while I was running but then eased noticeably after I finished. It's almost like the muscles are significantly over tensed during exercise but then they relax much more than normal when I stop. The relaxation I experience is much more than I am able to achieve with any of the passive relaxation techniques I have tried. I've been at it for several months now running 4 - 5 days a week at 5 - 7 miles a day (still nothing like I used to do). I still go through the normal up and down days, but the return to running has really lifted my spirits and I believe it has helped my "problem". It may not work for everyone but I'm going to continue the routine unless something changes dramatically!

[extreme3]

I have to vouch for the benefits of running. I noticed that I am PAIN FREE when I am running and usually for a good time after that. It seems to really loosen up and warm the pelvic muscles.

Beyond running, I've noticed yoga has a similar effect. I really feel great during and after a yoga workout.

Wow, these are things that I should probably be doing anyway for good health in general...go figure.