Headache in the Pelvis Clinic

[yorkiemom]

Has anyone out there been to the week-long clinic offered by the authors of Headache in the Pelvis? I've read that some of you have been to the 2-day sessions, how about the new clinics described on their website? I have a choice: get pelvic floor therapy at a clinic that is 100 miles away which means a lot of time and travel for me, or go to California, half a continent away, to the week-long clinic. If I thought that the California trip would be superior to the pelvic floor therapy offered closer, I wouldn't hesitate to try it. I know that I'm not going to get better in a week; I'm just wondering if the help and training I will receive will be superior to that which is available locally. You can pm me if you like . . . thanks much!

[Iris5]

I don't think you can really compare the two. In fact, Dr. Wise would probably advise you that you can't have one without the other. I have done Dr. Wise's 2 day clinic (I didn't even know he had a week long one - when did he start that?)

But his book and workshop both seem to promote the use of his relaxation protocol and PT together - they really go hand in hand.

I don't think it's an either/or situation - you probably need to find a way to do relaxation/stress management and PT.

My PT has told me that she has patients fly in to see her from Minnesota, Canada, and even Europe. 100 miles may seem far, but if it really helps you, or can put you into remission, isn't it worth it?

[yorkiemom]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I understand what you are saying. Are you better? How long have you been in your current regime? If you're better, how much so? Just curious about the process and what I might expect. I am having trouble finding relief--it's a long story that I've posted before, but I can't find anything that my bladder will tolerate (and believe me, I've tried them all) so thought I would go the physical therapy route (again)--I did it in 1997 for 6 months and didn't get any relief at all. Figure that after 7 years, maybe they've learned something new in the field. Thanks much.

[Iris5]

I do feel that I am finally getting better. I started PT in July/August 2004 with Rhonda Kotarinos. Prior to going to her, I had a hydrodistension,severely altered my diet, taken medications (Pyridium, Macrobid, Detrol and Elmiron), and had taken Dr. Wise's 2 day workshop. I had also done 6 weeks of biofeedback physical therapy and kegel exercises (which actually worsened my condition.) I did not pick up my new PT or yoga until about 18 months after my diagnosis.

When I started my current PT of trigger point release and myofascial release, I also started yoga (which I practice 3-4 days per week, sometimes at the studio and sometimes at home). I feel that the PT has given me the most relief so far. I also feel that the yoga is an important part of doing PT because you are more likely to maintain your progress between each PT visit.

In fact, I was so happy with my results so far that I decided to take a 2 month leave of absence from work to focus solely on PT and yoga. I have PT 2x per week, and yoga 4-5 days per week. It has been 3 weeks so far, and I have seen even more improvements than I was having before. I'm not sure if it's the increase in PT visits, the increase in yoga, or the decrease in stress from work, but I am very pleased with the results. I have also begun to return to the relaxation tapes a little, but I don't do them as religiously as I should.

Since I have started PT and yoga, my pressure and pain has diminished ( I used to have pain from my ribcage to my knees- now it's much more isolated to my pelvic region), my frequency has diminished, my flow has improved, and I have been able to add a couple of things to my diet (like some fruit and sometimes soda). I have also had an improvement in my sex life. My main goal is to be completely medication free by this summer.

I would guess that my meds and controlled diet have also helped somewhat, as they seemed to help stabilize my symptoms, but I firmly believe that I have seen a great improvement in my symptoms since I have started PT and yoga and would attribute most of my improvements to those two things. Don't get me wrong, I still have my good and bad days sometimes, especially if I eat the wrong thing or do too much of the wrong physical activity (like heavy lifting). I also tend to feel it when I miss a week of PT. But when I do have flares, they're not as bad, especially when I was first sick.

If you are thinking about starting trigger point release and myofascial therapy, you have to be very careful who you go to. Some people think they know what they are doing, but they don't. You might want to call Dr. Wise (his phone number is in his book) because I know that he has recommended therapists all over the place. I hope this helps you! Good Luck!