A Headache in the Pelvis: A New Understanding and Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes

When I bought this book I was desperate with pain and unable to take prescribed pain medicine. Urologists and internal medicine doctors are dubious about efficacy of the approach - but you shouldn't be. It save me and many others. Here's my take. The book has three important aspects: the authors are smart flexible thinkers who were paying attention during their time with patients, they employ trigger point release which is remarkable in it's own right (see Travel & Simons), finally, progressive relaxation was lifted from Edmund Jacobson - a practical genius. You can trust the Stanford protocol.

If you've experienced symptoms of pelvic dysfunction, such as pain, difficulty with urination, or sexual problems, and have not yet found an answer, this book may be exactly what you need. The book applies to both sexes, but I can speak from experience to the men: if you have any of these symptoms, and/or have been diagnosed with prostatitis and especially if antibiotics have given limited or no relief from symptoms, PLEASE read the book. I began to improve within a week of starting the book and applying its methods. However, as the author points out, the treatment methods found in this book are not a quick fix. They require dedication and consistent effort. If you are as frustrated in your search as I was in mine, you will have no problem making that effort, and you may find the book to be a godsend, as I did.

I experienced pain above my groin and in the pelvis/abdomen for about four years before it was successfully controlled--mostly elminated--by learning the techniques from these authors. My pain was a dull ache, and the pain would worsen if I had to stand or walk for a long time (e.g. a movie theater line or walking in a shopping mall). Three urologists in 4 years could not find the reason for the pain, but it persisted. I also endured uncomfortable invasive medical procedures and bouts of powerful antibiotics, all without being healed. Finally, a urologist who had heard a research paper being delivered by one of the book's authors at a medical conference referred me to them at Stanford Urology. After beginning their progressive/deep relaxation protocol and physical therapy, my symptoms were reduced in intensity by 90%-100% (becaming mild, occasional episodes rather than chronic and painful). The best part of it: no drugs, no fancy medical procedures or spooky side effects. Actually knowing how to heal the problem elminated the tremendous emotional and mental burden of having the previously mysterious pain; I could control it--and even eliminate it. This is not the quick-fix; it takes time and discipline, probably for a lifetime.