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Pelvic Pain Explained: What You Need to Know
At its heart, Pelvic Pain Explained is the story of how patients develop pelvic pain, the challenges patients and providers face throughout the diagnosis and treatment process, the difficult task of sifting through the different available treatment options, and the impact that an “invisible” condition has on a patient’s life and relationships, and much more. Those who develop pelvic pain find the path to proper diagnosis and treatment frustrating and unsuccessful, oftentimes because they are trying to work within the model of recovery they are used to; one in which they go to the doctor, maybe take some tests and then get a very specific diagnosis that dictates a very specific mode of treatment. This simply is not the path to healing from pelvic pain. Pelvic pain is a health issue that crosses the borders between medical disciplines and requires the patient to be a proactive participant in the healing process.
Here, Stephanie Prendergast and Elizabeth Rummer offer readers guidance on navigating a pelvic pain diagnosis and treatment, helping them to better understand their pain from a physiological perspective as well as how to digest the current treatment options available and put them on the path to healing. Providers, too, will gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary treatment approach. Major topics the book tackles the anatomy of the pelvic floor with an explanation of the many ways pelvic pain occurs; the different diagnoses and contributing factors associated with pelvic pain; a discussion of the current treatment landscape with guidance on how to navigate it; the vital role that PT plays in treatment; male pelvic pain; pregnancy and pelvic pain; sex and pelvic pain; the role of the patient in healing; the role of the brain in pelvic pain; and much more. Anyone with pelvic pain will find here a starting point on the road to healing and living pelvic pain free.
Here, Stephanie Prendergast and Elizabeth Rummer offer readers guidance on navigating a pelvic pain diagnosis and treatment, helping them to better understand their pain from a physiological perspective as well as how to digest the current treatment options available and put them on the path to healing. Providers, too, will gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary treatment approach. Major topics the book tackles the anatomy of the pelvic floor with an explanation of the many ways pelvic pain occurs; the different diagnoses and contributing factors associated with pelvic pain; a discussion of the current treatment landscape with guidance on how to navigate it; the vital role that PT plays in treatment; male pelvic pain; pregnancy and pelvic pain; sex and pelvic pain; the role of the patient in healing; the role of the brain in pelvic pain; and much more. Anyone with pelvic pain will find here a starting point on the road to healing and living pelvic pain free.
194 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
25 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 17, 2021
One of the best books I've read regarding the pelvic floor. Very detailed & informative.
July 28, 2023
This book was super informative. This book also gives hope for the future that I can get better!
July 12, 2024
I read this book twice.
I work in the field of Neuromodulation for chronic pain (peripheral nerve). Furthermore, I wanted to educate myself regarding peripheral nerves residing within the pelvis. This book was concise and highly precise with its descriptions of the anatomical influences in pelvic pain.
It was also insightful learning what physical therapy was all about, especially pelvic floor specialists. Furthermore, for many years I questioned what specialist serves the neuromuscular system. For example, the cardiovascular system belongs to the cardiologist and the urinary system goes to the Nephrologist. After reading this book, I have my answer; the physical therapist.
The author elegantly describes all the moving parts in the pelvic floor that cause persistent pelvic pain. I heavily enjoyed learning about the physiological role tight muscles have in referred pain. Furthermore, the author emphasized not all connective tissue is created equally and the muscles in the pelvic floor contribute a unique role in our physiology, making them susceptible to becoming trigger points. The author also wrote about the prominent peripheral nerves in the pelvis and how entrapments and surgery can influence several kinds of neuropathies.
Finally, I appreciated the author's notes on the sensitized nervous system (central sensitization). The emotional and cognitive aspects of chronic pain should not be neglected. The author provided several scintillating patient stories throughout the book, some of which focus specifically on this topic.
On a final note, if you are suffering from endometriosis or know someone who is, BUY this book. The author provides some enlightening mechanics regarding how impairments in the pelvic floor muscles can exacerbate pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.
I work in the field of Neuromodulation for chronic pain (peripheral nerve). Furthermore, I wanted to educate myself regarding peripheral nerves residing within the pelvis. This book was concise and highly precise with its descriptions of the anatomical influences in pelvic pain.
It was also insightful learning what physical therapy was all about, especially pelvic floor specialists. Furthermore, for many years I questioned what specialist serves the neuromuscular system. For example, the cardiovascular system belongs to the cardiologist and the urinary system goes to the Nephrologist. After reading this book, I have my answer; the physical therapist.
The author elegantly describes all the moving parts in the pelvic floor that cause persistent pelvic pain. I heavily enjoyed learning about the physiological role tight muscles have in referred pain. Furthermore, the author emphasized not all connective tissue is created equally and the muscles in the pelvic floor contribute a unique role in our physiology, making them susceptible to becoming trigger points. The author also wrote about the prominent peripheral nerves in the pelvis and how entrapments and surgery can influence several kinds of neuropathies.
Finally, I appreciated the author's notes on the sensitized nervous system (central sensitization). The emotional and cognitive aspects of chronic pain should not be neglected. The author provided several scintillating patient stories throughout the book, some of which focus specifically on this topic.
On a final note, if you are suffering from endometriosis or know someone who is, BUY this book. The author provides some enlightening mechanics regarding how impairments in the pelvic floor muscles can exacerbate pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis.
July 21, 2016
Description:
This book aids the patient and clinician to give overview of pelvic pain symptoms, causes and treatment options. For some patients this problem can really be misunderstood and medical knowledge can be lacking from the medical teams. This book gives good clear processes for patients and clinicians to follow.
Highlights:
The book is easy to read, written by experts and educators. The first sentence in the forward gives the patient confidence and reassurance” if you suffer with pelvic pain, you need to read this book” the hand of reassurance is there for the sufferer and partner. It also reassures the reader they are not alone (which sometimes feels like the case)
There are interesting patient stories and their journeys which are interesting and can aid the sufferer. This gives a personal feel to the book without it being too weighty on the medical aspects.
For nursing students who have no experience of this there is good chapters regarding anatomy and contributing factors for great understanding.
This is a well written book on a complex condition.
Strengths and weaknesses:
This book is for the patient so there is not a great deal of references or study aid at the end of each chapter for the practitioner or clinician. Nevertheless there is a good bibliography at the end of the book. The overarching strength for the sufferer is that there is so much hope in this book. Although this is written in the States this book is just as apt for the sufferer and medical teams in the UK. The title extends the arm of help and advice to all involved with this condition, as it is titled “what everyone needs to know”
The authors have helped numerous people with this problem so the reader knows this is based on experience and practice.
Overall I found no weaknesses in this book.
Potential Readers:
The patient, medical and nursing (what ever stage in their career) and medical teams (particularly useful when looking at individual cases)
This book aids the patient and clinician to give overview of pelvic pain symptoms, causes and treatment options. For some patients this problem can really be misunderstood and medical knowledge can be lacking from the medical teams. This book gives good clear processes for patients and clinicians to follow.
Highlights:
The book is easy to read, written by experts and educators. The first sentence in the forward gives the patient confidence and reassurance” if you suffer with pelvic pain, you need to read this book” the hand of reassurance is there for the sufferer and partner. It also reassures the reader they are not alone (which sometimes feels like the case)
There are interesting patient stories and their journeys which are interesting and can aid the sufferer. This gives a personal feel to the book without it being too weighty on the medical aspects.
For nursing students who have no experience of this there is good chapters regarding anatomy and contributing factors for great understanding.
This is a well written book on a complex condition.
Strengths and weaknesses:
This book is for the patient so there is not a great deal of references or study aid at the end of each chapter for the practitioner or clinician. Nevertheless there is a good bibliography at the end of the book. The overarching strength for the sufferer is that there is so much hope in this book. Although this is written in the States this book is just as apt for the sufferer and medical teams in the UK. The title extends the arm of help and advice to all involved with this condition, as it is titled “what everyone needs to know”
The authors have helped numerous people with this problem so the reader knows this is based on experience and practice.
Overall I found no weaknesses in this book.
Potential Readers:
The patient, medical and nursing (what ever stage in their career) and medical teams (particularly useful when looking at individual cases)
May 28, 2016
By far the most informative and helpful book available on this topic. I'm a patient, a health information-certified librarian, and a bit of a connoisseur of info about pelvic pain. So trust me-- skip all the other books and read this one.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews