Where can I get Treatment for Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS)?
Men United vs. Prostate Cancer is a superb campaign that Prostate Cancer UK are running this month. I am sure you have seen Bill Bailey on the TV, heard him on the radio or seen the posters around. The concept and marketing is very catchy and a far cry from the previous forms of advertising for Prostate Cancer awareness campaigns. The Men United campaign is about getting Prostate Cancer as well known about and as understood as Breast Cancer; it is about raising funds for more reliable testing and treatment, it is about men standing together to say that they deserve better. March is also Prostate Cancer awareness month too; I think that the Prostate Cancer Charity have this absolutely spot on, a really good build-up of advertising and PR before the awareness month. Having worked at the Prostate Centre, Wimpole St for a number of years and been to a number of Prostate Cancer charity luncheons and events, seeing their previous campaigns this is amazing, it is driven and focused, it is catchy and inclusive too. It is about time if you ask me!
However, if you ask most of the public what Prostatitis is they will shrug their shoulders and shake their heads. Prostatitis is hardly heard of, let alone spoken about. So what is it then? Well, Prostatitis literally translates as inflammation of the prostate gland, yet it is considerably more complex than that and in a large majority of cases there is no inflammation within the small gland! Prostatitis is an umbrella term that is often used to pigeon hole male patients who suffer with pain in any the following areas:
- Penis (shaft, base or tip)
- Testicles
- Rectum
- Prostate
- Urethra
- Bladder
- Inner thigh
- Back pain
- Pain on and/or after ejaculation
- Pain during or after urination
- Increased urinary frequency
- Increased nocturnal urination
These are the most common symptoms reported by sufferers; some only have a few, others have lists that exceed the one above!
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has classified Prostatitis into the following 4 categories:
- Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
- Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
- Chronic Non Bacterial Prostatitis, also known as Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPPS)
- Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis
It is estimated that over 80% of Prostatitis sufferers have Chronic Non Bacterial Prostatitis, or CPPS. It has also been estimated that up to 25% of all visits by males to Urologists are Prostatitis related! Yet there is very little known about this debilitating condition. Many patients end up on my doorstep having been passed from pillar to post; doctor to urologist; pain specialist to psychotherapist and they are still left with no clear indication as to what is wrong. Many of the tests they have; urine, blood, semen, STD and prostatic secretions have all come back clear. Quite often these patients are told that “there is nothing wrong” with them, “it must all be in your head” and “I am sure it will pass.”
There are no charities here in the UK for Prostatitis or male Pelvic Pain, there are no fundraising events or TV campaigns, there are no awareness months or sponsored runs and as a result there isn’t any cash for research to be carried out extensively. Treatment by Doctors and Urologists is still very archaic, it is not patient focused and often involves heady cocktails of antibiotics, alpha blockers and strong pain killers for prolonged period of time, often leading to other health complications. Patients are left feeling bewildered and isolated, out in the dark with no support or empathy from their health care providers.
So what help is there for sufferers of Chronic Non Bacterial Prostatitis or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome?
Well, the book “Headache in the Pelvis” has been a saviour for many men, being able to read an in depth account of their symptoms, realising that there are other men out there who have the same set of symptoms. There are stretches and recommendations for home care advice in the book too; self-massage, trigger points, stretches and meditation or mindfulness to name a few. There is also an excellent book by Amy Stein called “Heal Pelvic Pain,” which in my opinion is a better read; more accessible and more direct. This is the book I suggest to my patients when they ask.
What about treatment here in the UK? Where can I find Physiotherapy or Massage Therapy for Prostatitis and/or Chronic Pelvic Pain? Well, there are a number of specialists who do exist here in the UK; offering Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Massage Therapy to reduce, manage and control Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain symptoms:
Dr Ruth Jones is a Physiotherapist based in Southampton specialising in Pelvic Pain. She co-edited the book Chronic Pelvic Pain and Dysfunction: Practical Physical Medicine. She also runs the ‘Private Detective,’ specialised physiotherapy pelvic pain courses for males with Bill Taylor (see below.) She works at The Eastleigh Osteopathic Clinic – http://www.eastleighosteopaths.co.uk/
Bill Taylor is a Physiotherapist based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He runs the ‘Private Detective’ courses with Dr Ruth Jones (see above). He specialises in spinal and pelvic pain dysfunction, using a range of Osteopathic, Acupuncture, Pilates and Massage techniques to treat his patients. He works out of his clinic in Edinburgh, Scotland – http://www.taylorphysiotherapy.com/
Kay Crotty is a Physiotherapist based in Harrow. She has diversified from a spinal specialist into a Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction therapist. Kay has completed a programme of research in pelvic floor exercises in collaboration with The University of Hertfordshire and St Mark’s Hospital. She works from her Physiolink clinic in Middlesex – http://www.physiolink.com/
Maria Elliot is a Physiotherapist based in a number of locations across London. She originally trained in Chronic Pelvic Pain Rehab and continues to work extensively in that area. Maria offers Pelvic Pain coaching to all her clients combining a wide range of modalities and approaches. She works out of clinics in Chiswick and Harley Street – http://www.simplywomenshealth.co.uk/
I am Karl Monahan and my background is Sports and Advanced Clinic Massage Therapy and Abdominal/Pelvic Pain therapy. I developed my Pelvic Pain and Prostatitis treatments whilst working at The Prostate Centre, Wimpole St London, where I was based for 6 years. I currently work out of my clinic in Surrey – http://www.thebodyworkspractice.co.uk/
There ARE strong links between Chronic Non Bacterial Prostatitis (type 3 Prostatitis) also known as Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome and muscular imbalances, overly tight pelvic floor muscles, emotions, stress and anxiety, even foods and alcohol can set off a patient’s symptoms. For me I think there are sub groups within the 4 categories outlined by the NIH, other variants that are simply not recognised and other health conditions that do affect the condition too. There is no doubt that further research is required to fully grasp this debilitating condition and all of its associations. There have been grumblings of setting up a specific charity for male Pelvic Pain and Prostatitis, discussions on forums and posts on Facebook pages all suggest that one is needed. Looking at what has been achieved for Prostate Cancer and other male health charities there is some hope, there is certainly an example to be followed, a model that has taken sometime to flourish but one that now appears to have the public by the short and curlies!
Please find details here for the British Prostatitis Support Association forum – https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/bps-assoc/info
There are a number of Facebook pages now dedicated to male Pelvic Pain and Prostatitis, including:
Karl Monahan
Karl is a sports and advanced clinical massage therapist with the qualifications, experience and knowledge in the treatment of male pelvic pain and in particular Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS). He has worked in men’s health since 2006 and has successfully been treating male pelvic pain since 2009. He is the owner of The Pelvic Pain Clinic, London.
The post Treatments for Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) first appeared on The Pelvic Pain Clinic website