Please find below a personal blog about Chris’s successful recovery from Prostatitis. Huge thanks to Chris for being open and honest about his struggles and path to recovery
The Onset of Prostatitis Symptoms
Treatment
I refused to lead a life on medication and was desperate to get back to the outdoor lifestyle I had enjoyed some much. I continued to search for answers by reading articles online and talking to physiotherapists; I also threw away my medication. The more I read the more I wondered if my constant pain may be linked to pelvic floor dysfunction. It was then that I came across Karl’s practice and from the moment we exchanged histories a wave of relief washed over me – here was someone who had also battled this condition and was now a practitioner helping others. We talked about the importance of stretching (Karl recommended an excellent book by Amy Stein – How to Heal Pelvic Pain), breathing exercises & relaxation techniques, and I began a daily routine of stretching and then strengthening exercises. Karl’s sensitive and mindful approach as well a consistent positive encouragement was a massive tonic and helped me understand that this was something that I could manage and recover from.
Recovery from Prostatitis
With the help of Karl’s guidance and drawing on other sources of self help I managed to make further progress – and about a year and half on from the initial symptoms I was 90% pain free most days. It wasn’t an easy journey: I gave up caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods all of which seemed to adversely affect my condition – the first few weeks were tough but I lost weight, slept better and slowly but surely my pain began to subside. Peppermint oil (taken orally) also had a strangely calming effect on my symptoms. I eased my way back in to running and cycling but I could no longer use a traditional saddle. Fortunately, some bright folks in Canada had already come up with a solution for the many men with symptoms like mine (www.spiderflex.com) – this was a revolution. I also reached out to a friend, Duncan McGechie, who practises acupuncture and had managed to help others with similar symptoms (http://www.acubody.net/) and with his help managed to make further progress.
I’m now living (and loving) life pain free – I still need to be attentive to situations that can cause a flare up – stress, lack of sleep, too much physical exertion etc. and I still stretch every night. I remain indebted to the team, not least Karl, who supported me during this difficult period. My message to anyone out there with these symptoms: Don’t give up hope, you can heal yourself. In the early days I never thought I would be writing this, but here I am – living proof that you can beat this.
…….