There are now an increasing number of men who are reporting significant improvement and relief from the symptoms that are directly expressed by chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). The treatment approach is directly focused on the pain caused by the muscle spasm in the pelvic floor. The holistic treatment program includes relaxation technique, exercise regimen, release of the myofascial trigger point and focused counseling.
Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is the nonbacterial type of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) that affects 5% to 16% of men. This chronic type of pelvic pain syndrome has posed serious challenge to medical practitioners for almost a century.
A major part of the challenge is the failure to effectively deal with the problem using the traditional treatment involving antibacterial drugs, surgical interventions, anti-inflammatory drugs and even prostate massage. Medical practitioners agree that there has to be a holistic approach in managing CPPS. Emerging modalities that focus on physical therapy, psycho-social support and urological therapy are becoming the more appropriate approach for most patients suffering from chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
There are now several studies that indicate that the clinical symptoms of nonbacterial pelvic pain syndrome have no direct relation to any medical condition affecting the prostate. In fact, in a related clinical study that was conducted, 95% of those cases that were examined have not illustrated any distinct inflammation of the tissue within the prostate. There are now concrete evidences that show that the pain in the pelvic area is attributable to the trigger point formation and chronic spasm of the muscles in the pelvic floor.
In a recent scientific publication, a new treatment approach for chronic pelvic pain syndrome referred to as “Stanford Protocol” was introduced. The protocol is primarily a combination of medication, physical therapy and psychological therapy.
The medication component of the protocol requires the use of benzodiazepines and tricyclic anti-depressants. The psychological component of the protocol involves a new type of relaxation technique called paradoxical relaxation which was created by Edmund Jacobson. Finally, patients are made to undergo a special type of physical therapy known as trigger point release therapy which addresses the pain expressed by the muscles in the abdominal region and the pelvic floor. Yoga exercises are also used for some patients in order to release the tension in the muscles.
The paradoxical relaxation technique is the adoption of a serial type of deep relaxation methods. It involves the coordination and control of breathing by the patient to achieve harmony with the heart beat. This results to a more positive state of calm by the person suffering from discomfort as a direct result of muscle spasms in those regions. Once an individual attains the required level of proficiency of relaxation of the body, they start to focus on the source of the pain.
Trigger point release technique is the central component of myofascial therapy and neuromuscular therapy. This technique initially requires the identification of the source of the pain in the muscle areas. These trigger points do not emerge at random as they are mostly observed at the end portion or at the junction of the sheaths of the muscles. These trigger points may have been caused by injury to a group of muscles or injury to other muscles within the area adjacent to where the localized pain is felt.
The results of a recent experiment conducted by the Stanford Medical School have demonstrated the efficacy of the protocol in treating the symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The protocol has been particularly effective in eliminating or reducing the pain caused by muscle spasm in the abdomen and pelvis. The same study has also indicated that 70% to 80% of the patients involved in the scientific experiment had exhibited significant improvement in their sexual functions with the adoption of trigger point release and paradoxical relaxation techniques.
The trigger point release technique can be performed by a physical therapist or a massage therapist. On the other hand, the paradoxical relaxation technique can be adopted by a psychiatrist or a psychologist as part of the treatment regimen for patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain syndrome.