Pelvic Pain Chronicles – Howard’s successful recovery from Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

A big thanks to Howard for sharing his story of recovery from chronic pelvic pain syndrome. From an initial infection and prostate injections to successful recovery

Prostate infection

I had been suffering from acute pelvic pain issues for around 2 months when I was first introduced to Karl. My case was complicated as it later transpired that I had also been suffering from a prostate infection which I travelled to Dr Songs 3D Clinic in Changsha, China for specific treatment. On the course of this journey however, I realised that a huge amount of my day to day symptoms were owing to the psychological patterns and physiological stress that had developed in parallel to my pathogenic problem. This was evident from the persistence of certain symptoms beyond prostate treatment that have since abated (but have a habit of creeping back when I let slip some of the powerful teachings and practices taken from my treatment with Karl!).

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)

The symptoms I was suffering from relating to chronic pelvic pain syndrome included pain in the urethra, the backs of the legs, pubic area, feet and of course every patient’s known acquaintance, urinary urgency. At the time I came to see Karl these symptoms were at the forefront of my attention and I was miserable. I had been put into contact via a family friend whom had come to see Karl with a similar basket of symptoms and spoke very highly of him, having reached a full recovery. 

Relief

The first conversation I had with Karl was in of itself a relief to my discomfort. The potency of having a conversation with someone who listens properly and empathises with your physical and mental burdens, following for all patients what has been an exasperating journey inside different doctor’s waiting rooms and online forums in search of answers, is not to be underestimated. 

Karl and I spoke at length about my symptoms and the impact that they’d been having on my life. He explained to me his understanding of the potential causes and contributing factors which he’d seen as a common denominator in other patients. His manner was warm and made me feel very comfortable sharing with him the existential factors in my life which had no doubt been compounding to my physical detriment. 

Treatment

The treatment that followed was curated by Karl around my specific physiology. We explored potential trigger points, impingements and any tell-tale signs of tension manifest in the pelvic floor. Throughout my treatment programme Karl has considered himself to be a student of the various conditions in which he practices, a real refreshment from the convictive diagnoses I’d received from other leading Urologists along the road.

A huge success factor in my treatment was down to the self-care programme which I followed in my own time. Karl made sure this was a practice I could fit into my life and took the time to explain the thinking behind the exercises and techniques, so that I was able to understand why a certain stretch or mental practice was being incorporated into my daily routine. It was such that I was able to follow his advice with purpose and whenever something didn’t make sense, or wasn’t yielding the results I had hoped for, Karl was always on hand to listen and discuss the best way forward.

Recovery from chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS)

Now I consider myself recovered and am happy to check in with Karl infrequently when something new crops up, or there is an external pressure which is causing symptoms to return. Every time that I do, I see that Karl has learnt more about the condition and has further deepened his knowledge based upon his first hand experience of treating patients like myself. I am confident that he is becoming one of the leaders in treatment of pelvic pain and will continue to be a practitioner that I can rely upon for years to come.

Karl Monahan is the owner of The Pelvic Pain Clinic, London. He has been successfully treating male pelvic pain since 2009. His depth of knowledge and personal experience on the subject provides his patients with a compassionate approach that is rarely found. His holistic approach to treating male pelvic pain addresses, lifestyle, diet, exercise, stress management and therapeutic movement. The clinics approach is very much aimed at empowering the patient, teaching them the tools and techniques to manage and reduce their own symptoms allowing them to be the driver in their own recovery and not just a passenger. www.thepelvicpainclinic.co.uk