sharing things I've learned....

[scoobysnacks]

Had a little time and wanted to share with those that may be new the things I've learned that have helped me to progress in order to beat this thing.

1) Find out why your pelvis is tight. For me I am a perfectionist, but I applied it towards my body. I don't think I clench during stressful situations. My clenching was self induced do to the need to make my body as perfect as possible. I pulled in the stomach and to do so I used the pelvic floor to bring up the stomach and chest. Not good, probably did this for five years. The fix, relax the belly, and let the stomach drop to normal.

2) Stretching. For me this means a few different stretches than what is in the AHIP, though I use those too. You have to find the stretches that work for you. This can't be half-ass either. It has to be vigorous, and you need to learn to breath correctly while performing. Breath deep in the chest and fill the belly, watch it expand.

3) Internal massage. Go to a therapist, see/feel what they do and apply to yourself. I am not one who was going to get better with 10 sessions. I have probably now done about 30-40 including the 7 with a pro and 30 some performed by myself. I am probably too light at times, and that is why it takes longer, but better safe than sorry.

Realize that when an area has a trigger point massaging it out may make you worse for the next couple of days. Don't fret, stay the course.

One other thing in TPs for some they feel like knots, but for me they are areas that are very sensitive, best description raw areas that feel like when I first touch them I am doing so to an open wound with salt or lemon juice or sand paper.

4) After massage apply something to reduce the swelling and inflammation. I use internal Prep H cream. My TPs are very close to the opening of the rectum so this works well for me. If yours are deeper this may not be an option for you. But, to me it makes good logical sense, we are massaging those areas to reduce their tautness, inflammation, and swelling. Why not apply something that immediately reduces such. I also take 1 Aleve (naproxen) after every session.

5) Stretch after sex. This may not always be an option if you are single. Imagine taking a lassie home one evening, giving her all you have, and then doing the naked squat stretch against the wall. She might think you are nuts.

6) This reminds me when I do my stretches it actually works better with very baggy clothing so the area is free from being touched and restricted. Try stretching in jeans, can't get nearly the same affect around the pelvic region.

7) Quercetin does work, try it.

8) After sex I take 1 Aleve (naproxen) to prevent tons of inflammation.

9) During sex, don't really drive home near the beginning of orgasm. I know as men this is more pleasurable, but for now relax as it builds, it will still be pleasurable. A good way to learn how to not do this is to pull out near orgasm and finish it yourself, since you can control better this way the strength of the orgasm.

10) Exercise in some form. For me the only thing I can do is walk, and stretch upon return. I was a past competitive bodybuilder so for me this is utter torture, but you have to realize you can't be what you were while you heal.

11) use your support structure, wife, girlfriend, partner etc. Let them in on what you are doing.

12) Get a good cushion and protect the perineum. For me if I sit in a normal chair I can't relax the pelvis properly. I sit on a home-made cushion that is made from a cushion toilet seat covered with a pillow case. This allows me to keep the pelvis more bowled shaped, which is how its supposed to be.

13) Keep positive. Very hard to do sometimes, but very important.

14) Find a new sport if your old one won't allow right now. I have taken up golf, and find it quite enjoyable on a pretty sunny day with friends.

15) I must reiterate Stretch, stretch, and stretch. For me this didn't do much until I let the stomach hang, did internal massage, and realized I was tightening this region. But, once I put it all together stretching is paramount. I can immediately feel the effects of it.

16) Don't think this will go away on its own. I took this approach for a year, didn't work. BUT I AM ON MY WAY; BRICK BY BRICK, BRICK BY BRICK MY CITIZENS!

17) Read AHIP and The Mind Body Prescription, I recommend blending the two, don't rely on just one.

18) Cut out coffee and beer. Although wine isn't the greatest I have one glass with dinner and then stretch, after a long day this helps loosen the pelvis. Take Prelief with this to prevent irritation down there.

19) If you want/must drink I have learned for me good vodka and soda water with a lime causes no irritation. Give it a try.

20) Read, re-read this board. Filter out the things that may cause negative emotions in you. Cling to the things that cause a sense of hope. But, all posts are valuable in some way, even if its just to say to someone you support them, but are glad you don't have that symptom, etc.

Sorry for the length, I am not healed, and many have seen me write. I will not be healed until I can lift again and play soccer again with no problems, or little problems. That is my goal.

Good Luck!

SS

[CppsDad]

Excellent post. Well thought out. And very informative. It is good when people write these, because you never know which post a new member is going to read when they are searching for answers. Plus, the good posts eventually become old, and people don't go back that far to find information. It's good to have it repeated often. I'm sure some will disagree with certain things you said, but it doesn't matter - I think it is great information for many of the cases here. AND it is practical, AND uplifting.

Mike