pook
New Member
Posts: 14
|
Post by pook on Mar 7, 2008 16:50:04 GMT -5
I know there is a thread on physical therapy already, but I have been doing Pelvic physical therapy which is a bit different. It's a technique where the therapist puts her finger(s) just inside the vagina and stretches the pelvic muscles internally. My new doctor had prescribed it to help with pain from my endo, but come to find out I also had a lot of muscular trauma and scarring from the use of forcepts and very bad tearing I had during childbirth. All of this together with the endo has given me fits of pain in my abdomen and back, and I won't even go into intercourse! I have only been a few times so far, but I wish I had known about this years ago! Physical therapy can take time to be fully effective, but my therapist said to spread the word that this treatment is available and can really help with pain management!
|
|
|
Post by kb on Mar 7, 2008 18:02:23 GMT -5
So it works for intercourse pain???
Oh i cringed when you said how it was done, does it hurt? Guess it doesnt matter if it works.
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Mar 7, 2008 18:04:14 GMT -5
We used to have a member, sameera, who did that, only instead of a finger, the therapist used a dilator. She quit after going for quite a while with no relief.
Have you looked in to vestibulitis?
|
|
|
Post by jellybean on Mar 8, 2008 0:21:29 GMT -5
That does sound painful. I can't even use tampons comfortably, so I cringe at the thought of this too.
|
|
pook
New Member
Posts: 14
|
Post by pook on Mar 8, 2008 13:45:14 GMT -5
I know, it's very up close and personal! There are days when I don't even want people to look at me I hurt so much, let alone do something like that, but they only go just inside the opening and use gentle pressure. KB, yes, intercourse was one of the specific things this is supposed to help with. I know my husband appreciates that! I've noticed that I have better results on days I have less pain going in. Last week I was having a terrible day and the only relief I felt was during the appointment, afterwards I was back to feeling awful. My therapist said it will also help with healing after my lap in April, she has some techniques to loosen scar tissue too. Just like any treatment, it may not be for everyone, but I know I have had success so far. Don't know that I've heard of vestibulitis, ouchy, but will look it up. Thanks.
|
|
apple
Full Member
Posts: 214
|
Post by apple on Mar 9, 2008 13:16:00 GMT -5
This sounds similar to clearpassage massages, pelvic physio sound like a valid option instead of surgery (for some cases of course), my doctor never mentioned this to me, I will try to remember on my next appointment since I would be interested in trying something like that...I hear about something like that most for seniors I think they called exercising your pelvic floor but I do not think was any massage involved... Thank for info, please keep us updating...
|
|
|
Post by Nari on Mar 10, 2008 0:00:35 GMT -5
my doc wanted me to do pelvic physical therapy but they dont offer that here on this base, so i didnt get to try it out. I had no clue it went a lil like that... i think i would be embarrassed....
|
|
|
Post by anneny on Mar 12, 2008 10:20:14 GMT -5
That's exactly the kind of physical therapy I referred to in the other thread. It helped me tremendously by training me to be able to relax my muscles when I have pain. It's not going to take away endo pain, but if you can relax the surrounding muscles, it really, really, helps.
I also found it extremely helpful with pain during sex. The further my therapy progressed, the less careful we had to be, and the more enjoyable it became again. In fact, it was so enjoyable, that we were able to have sex frequently enough to conceive in our first month of trying! (I also charted religiously, so we knew when to try.)
The experience can be a little uncomfortable at first, but if you can find a therapist who is gentle and considerate, it's well worth it. Think about it: you let your ob-gyn examine you, and the physical therapist is another medical practitioner, so why not let her help? Being certified for pelvic physical therapy requires a ton of extra study and training under a mentor. They are not your average college grads.
Anyway, if I can figure out how to link to the other thread, I will. Otherwise, I highly suggest you read the comments there, too, since they refer to pelvic physical therapy.
|
|
|
Post by anneny on Mar 12, 2008 10:38:00 GMT -5
|
|
apple
Full Member
Posts: 214
|
Post by apple on Mar 12, 2008 10:39:03 GMT -5
I try to book an appointment to see a pelvic physiotherapist and they called it pelvic floor physio at this place I called... I guess is the same?? She seems quite expensive $120 for an hour, I think my insurance would only cover part of that, I'll have to check...
|
|
|
Post by anneny on Mar 12, 2008 12:53:11 GMT -5
Apple, that should be the same thing. If your insurance will cover part of it, it might be worth going once to see if you think the physiotherapist knows what she's talking about and will be helpful.
|
|
pook
New Member
Posts: 14
|
Post by pook on Mar 13, 2008 0:42:37 GMT -5
Anneny, thank you for adding the link to the other thread. I went back and re-read your post(s) and am now seeing your discreet references to the pelvic PT - btw where's that big heating pad at my appts? Hmmm...heating pad...it's calling me. I've also recently cut out gluten, along with sugar and chocolate (why do you want it so bad when you can't have it!? Grrr). Combined with the PT, I am feeling better than I have in a really long time. Because the therapy is giving me relief from the muscle pain, I'm getting better at sensing the differences between my different kinds of pain...the gripping, muscle spasm pain vs. what I call "organ pain" vs. pain from things I consume.
I also found this interesting, my doctor told me that when the body is in prolonged amounts of pain, the pain receptors become more sensitive and even the slightest twinge can cause them to go into overdrive. Even something as little as thinking about your pain and can trigger them. I thought it was only in my head when I would think "wow, I'm feeling pretty good today" and that would be the kiss of death. Wham, the muscle spasms would hit me almost immediately. Sick and wrong.
|
|
|
Post by anneny on Mar 13, 2008 21:37:54 GMT -5
Yeah...I tried not to get too graphic in the other thread. I was much shyer before I got pregnant. ;-)
Also, I never gave up chocolate, but I switched to only dark, and only a little at a time.
I'm so, so glad you're starting to feel better, and I hope everything continues to progress!
|
|
pook
New Member
Posts: 14
|
Post by pook on Mar 15, 2008 16:42:43 GMT -5
I hear you on the shy thing! After I had my son, modesty down there went out the window. Thankfully my therapist and I have good conversations during the appts which is distracting, but it is still a little weird when I stop and think about what's really going on. But, the relief my muscles and I get from it is so worth it!!
|
|
|
Post by cherry on Mar 16, 2008 8:00:10 GMT -5
Wow this sounds very interesting, embarrassment factor aside I can see how this would work better than with the dilators Sameera used. I had to go to A&E last year and be examined for a suspected burst cyst, and the doctor examined me using his fingers internally (the teen-sized speculum was out of stock in their department) and it felt far less painful, plus he could feel more from both sides than from just using the speculum and pressing down on my abdomen. Just think, fingers are pliable, can adapt to your vagina if it's not a 'standard' shape/size or if you're feeling sensitive, and do a lot more than an immobile glass rod! So given the choice I would prefer fingers and just blush and have nightmares later It's something I'll ask about if I have any return of severe pain. As someone said, better to have PPT than another lap!
|
|