How to Determine if it is Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

If you’ve been feeling pain in your pelvic region, don’t assume that it’s not a valid condition. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a condition where the individual experiences pelvic pain that lasts six months or longer. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) can be a symptom of another condition or can be a problem on its own. Sometimes pelvic pain can develop for no apparent reason, without any definitive source or cause. However, there has been a significant increase in research in the past decade to study the cause and optimal treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

There is no known “cure” for chronic pelvic pain syndrome, but there are many forms of treatments that can alleviate the pain; as well as relieve the psychological and emotional stress  caused by the chronic pain.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome has also been called chronic prostatitis. Chronic prostatitis is a more specific term for males, while chronic pelvic pain syndrome can apply to both males and females. Causes and symptoms of pelvic pain can vary between men and women. Men can experience pelvic pain as a symptom of other conditions including urinary, organ-specific (prostate), infection-related, neurological, bowel, and muscle issues. Women can experience chronic pelvic pain from the same health conditions as men, as well as uterine and ovarian issues.

Those with chronic pelvic pain syndrome have likely developed the pain due to numerous interconnected causes. If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, it’s best to visit your primary care physician. They can provide you with an understanding your previous health conditions and how it might influence other conditions to cause the pain.

There are a few massage modalities that can assist with chronic pelvic pain syndrome:

  • Trigger point therapy – Myofascial trigger points are one possible cause of pelvic pain. Trigger point therapy for muscles in the pelvic region can help reduce the pain. This includes muscles in your lower abdomen and thigh areas.
  • Muscle energy techniques – Various studies have shown that muscle energy techniques increase muscle extensibility and range of motion.
  • Connective tissue manipulation –  This technique employs direct manual strokes and movement strategies to soften and lengthen those tissues which join or connect organs, muscles and bones to each other. The connective tissue is treated until there is: improvement in mobility, decrease in sensitivity, and increase in warmth.

The goal of massage therapy for chronic pelvic pain syndrome is to improve circulation; improve tissue integrity; decrease ischemia (lack of blood flow at the cellular level); reduce chemicals in restricted connective tissue; decrease or eliminate visceral pain or dysfunction; and decrease adverse neural tension on peripheral nerve branches. In addition to the physical benefits that massage therapy can provide for pelvic pain, massage therapy can also help with the emotional and psychological stress you may experience from the chronic pain.

I have worked successfully with pelvic pain patterns using soft tissue techniques, movement reeducation, and processes to encourage self-awareness. If you are experiencing chronic pelvic pain, chances are good that my work can have a positive influence on decreasing or eliminating it, and I welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you further, and to schedule an appointment as you choose.

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