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Heal Pelvic Pain: The Proven Stretching, Strengthening, and Nutrition Program for Relieving Pain, Incontinence,& I.B.S, and Other Symptoms Without Surgery
Bronze Medal Winner of a 2009 National Health Information Award Stop your pelvic pain . . . naturally! If you suffer from an agonizing and emotionally stressful pelvic floor disorder, including pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, prostatitis, incontinence, or discomfort during sex, urination, or bowel movements, it's time to alleviate your symptoms and start healing--without drugs or surgery. Natural cures, in the form of exercise, nutrition, massage, and self-care therapy, focus on the underlying cause of your pain, heal your condition, and stop your pain forever. The life-changing plan in this book gets to the root of your disorder
216 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 12, 2018
Pretty disappointing nutrition section. This book needs a new update. The author is still preaching the food pyramid.... I thought it would be more research-based and modernized than that. As for the rest of the book, many of the exercises were ones I’d already been doing per my pelvic floor therapist, so if you’re getting treatment peruse this book before buying to see if it will be relevant for you. Glad I read it, and will keep it as a resource and consider following the stretching/strengthening program, but the nutrition section was almost entirely useless for me.
February 2, 2019
A good book to help you think about new ways to help pelvic pain. The detail is just right although I would see a pelvic pain specialist before tackling any of the exercises.
June 14, 2021
As someone who has dealt with pelvic pain for many years, I'm always looking for more information and ideas that will reduce pain and irritation. I have tried all sorts of things over the years and many have worked to varying degrees but none have left me with full relief. I'm now in a place where I can really focus on the exercises and stretches, the diet and the stress reduction activities all at once and I was excited to see that there are several things in this book that I have yet to try or at least try on a regular basis and for a long period of time.
I was SHOCKED to read here that 43% of American women experience some form of sexual disfunction. 43%! In France, women are automatically sent to a pelvic floor specialist after giving birth and as a result, they experience far less pelvic pain issues. Here in the US, that is far from reality resulting in millions of women suffering from various levels of dysfunction and pain and, due to our lack of openness about talking about such things, so many women suffering in silence. That has to end! I have had vulvodynia for about 20 years or maybe more. It's hard to remember exactly when it all started but until recently, it took an average of 14 years for women with pelvic pain to get a diagnosis and far longer to get relief if they ever do. That is simply wrong.
I now know that talking about it and sharing my experiences can help other women who may be suffering in silence. Thankfully, more and more doctors every year learn about these issues so the time from reporting to diagnosis is getting shorter but that timeline is still several years and usually takes several practitioners until we find the help and relief we desperately need.
This book goes a long way to making women and men (they can suffer from some of these things too!) feel seen and heard and helping us find a path toward healing. I hope that as a standalone, this book can help people but I think it's fare more often that it can work alongside counsel from doctors, pelvic floor specialists, CBT therapists, accupuncturists, chiropractors, and more. This is a journey and hopefully, it can be made more concise with the help of this book.
I was SHOCKED to read here that 43% of American women experience some form of sexual disfunction. 43%! In France, women are automatically sent to a pelvic floor specialist after giving birth and as a result, they experience far less pelvic pain issues. Here in the US, that is far from reality resulting in millions of women suffering from various levels of dysfunction and pain and, due to our lack of openness about talking about such things, so many women suffering in silence. That has to end! I have had vulvodynia for about 20 years or maybe more. It's hard to remember exactly when it all started but until recently, it took an average of 14 years for women with pelvic pain to get a diagnosis and far longer to get relief if they ever do. That is simply wrong.
I now know that talking about it and sharing my experiences can help other women who may be suffering in silence. Thankfully, more and more doctors every year learn about these issues so the time from reporting to diagnosis is getting shorter but that timeline is still several years and usually takes several practitioners until we find the help and relief we desperately need.
This book goes a long way to making women and men (they can suffer from some of these things too!) feel seen and heard and helping us find a path toward healing. I hope that as a standalone, this book can help people but I think it's fare more often that it can work alongside counsel from doctors, pelvic floor specialists, CBT therapists, accupuncturists, chiropractors, and more. This is a journey and hopefully, it can be made more concise with the help of this book.
February 24, 2012
To all my IC friends, this is a must-read. This book changed my life!
Shelved as 'dnf'
March 2, 2024As of right now this is dnf’ed bc I only had it from the library and couldn’t get very far in 3 weeks. I also don’t have pelvic *pain*, just leakage 😂😭 I may come back to it.
January 16, 2015
This book was awesome. I had a baby and things just were not the ...um...SAME. I could not find too many people who understood my specific issue of constant stabbing pain and tightness after having a baby (sorry tmi), and even after two physical therapists, I was not better. I really felt pretty hopeless until I found this book. The author goes into a lot of detail about all kinds of issues for both men and women and she tells you to go slowly with the exercises/stretches (a lot of therapists will just pile on the exercises and can make the issues worse). Trust me, not too many doctors are helpful with this stuff (though I did FINALLY find someone in the Chicago area who was). I highly recommend this book for anyone with confusing issues "down there."
March 17, 2009
Finally I found another book that addresses my specific chronic pain! I wish I could report whether their advice is helpful or not; but I just barely finished the book. However, most of the information "rings true" and doesn't sound like a hokey load of crap like some other health books.
I can only compare this to the book "A Headache in the Pelvis," because I haven't found any others that compare when it comes to my specific issue (there are about a MILLION about pelvic floor weakness, but that's the least of my worries). But, compared to "Headache" this is a much simpler route, easier to understand, and requires less professional help.
It's just one more piece in the puzzle. :)
I can only compare this to the book "A Headache in the Pelvis," because I haven't found any others that compare when it comes to my specific issue (there are about a MILLION about pelvic floor weakness, but that's the least of my worries). But, compared to "Headache" this is a much simpler route, easier to understand, and requires less professional help.
It's just one more piece in the puzzle. :)
January 28, 2022
Excellent book. Had more information than the 'specialist' I work with knew.
July 12, 2017
Provides really clear and concise method for dealing with pelvic floor disorders using physical therapy and massage methods. I've seen a pelvic floor rehab specialist in the past for pain postpartum, and she recommended this book as a continuing help at home. The exercises are good for anyone, man or woman, and can help alleviate pain, but there's also a big section on strengthening the pelvic floor. This can be helpful with incontinence issues, and other pelvic floor problems, which can include surprising things like interstitial cystitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
I plan to do the exercises regularly and see how I feel. While I don't have pain at the moment, I could certainly use the strengthening section. She also provides nutritional and relaxation tips for pelvic floor health (although as the parent of a toddler, I was feeling like "uh, when will I have time for all these things? :P)
I plan to do the exercises regularly and see how I feel. While I don't have pain at the moment, I could certainly use the strengthening section. She also provides nutritional and relaxation tips for pelvic floor health (although as the parent of a toddler, I was feeling like "uh, when will I have time for all these things? :P)
September 22, 2021
It gives a nice simple exercise protocol to get people started on easing pelvic pain, and gives easy to understand explanations of how different symptoms can all be related. I think this could be helpful for people who cannot easily access a pelvic health physical therapist.
It drove me bonkers that there are no in text reference numbers. That’s not how we do things. There’s a list of references by chapter at the back, but good luck determining what references go with which information.
It drove me bonkers that there are no in text reference numbers. That’s not how we do things. There’s a list of references by chapter at the back, but good luck determining what references go with which information.
May 19, 2023
Pretty straightforward for my education level, but a few solid tidbits to help encourage my patients with pelvic pain. Also a pretty good reminder for myself that we all need patience when treating (chronic) pelvic pain and that it takes time and consistency with a prescribed program
September 13, 2018
So many could benefit from the knowledge in this book. I've been to a pelvic floor PT and agree 100% with the teaching in this book. Knowledge is power.
May 24, 2023
I just started the "end the pain" exercises so I can't say if they work yet but I'm hopeful.
January 23, 2016
A brilliant book written in an easily understood way. I recommend it to all of my chronic pelvic pain patients as well as those who have recent onset pelvic pain (e.g. painful scar after recent childbirth) to try to prevent chronic problems developing. I'd recommend the book rather than the kindle version as it's much easier to access the various exercise sections with the physical book. (I bought the kindle version first but before long ordered the book). If you have pain 'down below' & are wondering whether to buy this book, do it!
January 8, 2016
I am four weeks post op from surgery excising endometriosis as well as a complete hysterectomy because of suspected adenomyosis. I still have some muscle pain that I suspect isn't going to go away without physical therapy.
I can't practice any of the exercises, stretches or massages mentioned in this book until I get the ok from the surgeon, so o have no idea if they will be helpful.
I did feel like I got a better idea of what to expect from physical therapy appointments, which is helpful in relieving some anxiety.
I can't practice any of the exercises, stretches or massages mentioned in this book until I get the ok from the surgeon, so o have no idea if they will be helpful.
I did feel like I got a better idea of what to expect from physical therapy appointments, which is helpful in relieving some anxiety.
February 6, 2011
This is a physical therapist's guide for natural healing for pelvic pain and abdominal complaints. The chapters have various steps outlining breathing, stretching, and massage techniques that have been successful when medications and surgery have not worked. A very thorough book!
July 25, 2011
kind of basic but can be good for patients with uncomplicated pelvic floor issues. i still recommend to patients bc it is fairly clear and easy to read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews