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Our experienced physiotherapists can help you manage your pain. We have been successful treating this problem both in-clinic and online. |
WHAT IS IT?
WHAT CAUSES IT?
HOW CAN PHYSIO HELP?
WHAT IS IT?
Chronic prostatitis, also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a fairly common condition defined by pain and discomfort in the pelvic area accompanied by urinary and sexual dysfunctions in men. Although not life-threatening, it can greatly affect your quality of life.
The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are constant or intermittent pain and discomfort in the pelvic floor muscles, prostate, testicles, penis, rectum, perineum, lower abdomen, groin, coccyx and/or lower back that has been present for at least three months. Pain severity may vary from day to day. Some men experience sexual issues such as painful or premature ejaculation and/or erectile dysfunction. Problems such as increased urinary frequency and urgency, pain when urinating and/or a poor urinary stream may also be present.
The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are constant or intermittent pain and discomfort in the pelvic floor muscles, prostate, testicles, penis, rectum, perineum, lower abdomen, groin, coccyx and/or lower back that has been present for at least three months. Pain severity may vary from day to day. Some men experience sexual issues such as painful or premature ejaculation and/or erectile dysfunction. Problems such as increased urinary frequency and urgency, pain when urinating and/or a poor urinary stream may also be present.
WHAT CAUSES IT?
The Prostate Gland?
It was previously assumed the prostate gland was responsible for the aforementioned symptoms. This is why this condition is also known as chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). Research now shows that the prostate gland is generally not the source of the problem; therefore the term ‘’chronic pelvic pain syndrome’’ is more accurate. Some types of prostatitis are due to bacterial infections and can be treated with antibiotics. In 90% of the cases, however, there is no infection or inflammation of the prostate. These cases are categorized as CPPS.
There is no consensus on a medical cause of chronic prostatitis; however, some risk factors have been identified. Some of these include prolonged slouched postures, bicycle riding for extended periods, weight lifting, trauma, surgery or infection in the pelvis, and excessive stress and anxiety (in general or specifically related to sexual encounters).
It was previously assumed the prostate gland was responsible for the aforementioned symptoms. This is why this condition is also known as chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). Research now shows that the prostate gland is generally not the source of the problem; therefore the term ‘’chronic pelvic pain syndrome’’ is more accurate. Some types of prostatitis are due to bacterial infections and can be treated with antibiotics. In 90% of the cases, however, there is no infection or inflammation of the prostate. These cases are categorized as CPPS.
There is no consensus on a medical cause of chronic prostatitis; however, some risk factors have been identified. Some of these include prolonged slouched postures, bicycle riding for extended periods, weight lifting, trauma, surgery or infection in the pelvis, and excessive stress and anxiety (in general or specifically related to sexual encounters).
Pelvic Floor Musculature
Dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles is known to cause a variety of issues at the level of the pelvic organs and tissues (namely blood vessels and nerves) due to their close relationship. Most people with CPPS have chronic tenderness, increased tension and even spasms in their pelvic floor muscles, and it is thought that this contributes significantly to the pain experienced.
Tension in the pelvic floor musculature can be due to a physical trauma or strain; however, it is more commonly due to mental and emotional stresses translating into physical tension in the pelvic region. Pelvic floor muscle tension can be felt as pain, and it can also compromise the normal function of the anus and urethra and other pelvic structures (e.g. nerve or blood vessel compression), which can subsequently cause more pain that can be referred to the coccyx, perineum, rectum, anus and genitals.
Dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles is known to cause a variety of issues at the level of the pelvic organs and tissues (namely blood vessels and nerves) due to their close relationship. Most people with CPPS have chronic tenderness, increased tension and even spasms in their pelvic floor muscles, and it is thought that this contributes significantly to the pain experienced.
Tension in the pelvic floor musculature can be due to a physical trauma or strain; however, it is more commonly due to mental and emotional stresses translating into physical tension in the pelvic region. Pelvic floor muscle tension can be felt as pain, and it can also compromise the normal function of the anus and urethra and other pelvic structures (e.g. nerve or blood vessel compression), which can subsequently cause more pain that can be referred to the coccyx, perineum, rectum, anus and genitals.
The Mid-to Lower Back
The mid-to-lower back is another potential source of pain. Just like how sciatica can refer pain down your leg, it can also refer pain into your pelvic and genital region. This can be the case even if there is no clear pain in the lower back, but the odds of it being pertinent increase significantly when there is pain in the lower back. It also increases significantly when you have pain that increases or decreases with certain positions (sitting, walking, lying on one side). The lower back is often missed in the treatment of this condition, which is unfortunate as we have found that approximately 50% of patients with chronic prostatitis respond rapidly with our specific approach to pain of spinal origin.
The mid-to-lower back is another potential source of pain. Just like how sciatica can refer pain down your leg, it can also refer pain into your pelvic and genital region. This can be the case even if there is no clear pain in the lower back, but the odds of it being pertinent increase significantly when there is pain in the lower back. It also increases significantly when you have pain that increases or decreases with certain positions (sitting, walking, lying on one side). The lower back is often missed in the treatment of this condition, which is unfortunate as we have found that approximately 50% of patients with chronic prostatitis respond rapidly with our specific approach to pain of spinal origin.
HOW CAN PHYSIO HELP?
Treatment
When the cause of pain is non-bacterial, research has shown that drugs such as antibiotics, alpha-blockers, and anti-inflammatories, and surgeries are rarely successful.
Our physiotherapists are specially trained to be able to determine which factors are playing a role in your pain and offering clear, logical advice and specific exercises to help relieve your pain and other symptoms.
If the lower back is found to be your primary pain generator, your physiotherapist's treatment will include advice you on limiting aggravating positions and activities and increasing activities and positions that may help to relieve your symptoms. Simple and effective exercises that often have an immediate effect on your pain will be given to help try to relieve your symptoms between sessions.
If tension of the pelvic floor musculature is found to be your primary pain generator, your physiotherapist's treatment will include a combination of education regarding your pathology, general relaxation techniques, specific muscle relaxation exercises and manual techniques such as trigger point release and deep tissue massage to help you toward your goals. Pelvic floor physiotherapy has been shown to be effective in relieving pelvic pain and improving associated sexual and urinary dysfunctions.
Call now for an appointment with one of our experienced physiotherapists!
When the cause of pain is non-bacterial, research has shown that drugs such as antibiotics, alpha-blockers, and anti-inflammatories, and surgeries are rarely successful.
Our physiotherapists are specially trained to be able to determine which factors are playing a role in your pain and offering clear, logical advice and specific exercises to help relieve your pain and other symptoms.
If the lower back is found to be your primary pain generator, your physiotherapist's treatment will include advice you on limiting aggravating positions and activities and increasing activities and positions that may help to relieve your symptoms. Simple and effective exercises that often have an immediate effect on your pain will be given to help try to relieve your symptoms between sessions.
If tension of the pelvic floor musculature is found to be your primary pain generator, your physiotherapist's treatment will include a combination of education regarding your pathology, general relaxation techniques, specific muscle relaxation exercises and manual techniques such as trigger point release and deep tissue massage to help you toward your goals. Pelvic floor physiotherapy has been shown to be effective in relieving pelvic pain and improving associated sexual and urinary dysfunctions.
Call now for an appointment with one of our experienced physiotherapists!
Treatment Options |
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