Exercises for PFD/Symptoms of PFD

[CarolinTexas]

Does anyone know where I can find examples of PFD exercises? Preferably with pictures? I've searched and found discussions on Kegels and such but not a listing of which ones to do.

I've been in PT frequently for lower back surgery so am familiar with pelvic exercises but am afraid to try the 'wrong' ones and make it worse. I also have two books on trigger point which helps with my back pain.

Also, is this a symptom of PFD or just plain old IC? Typically, I usually awake at night (2-3am) in no pain but have to go to the bathroom. After I go and get back in bed, the bladder pain shoots to a 10. If I'm lucky enough to go back to sleep I'm up 20 minutes later needing to go, the pain is excrutiating and goes into the urethra. Valium seems to help a bit and I just started Hydroxizine and Elavil.

Thanks for any suggestions, comments or instructions with pictures.

[Berkshire Road]

My doctor recommended a good one, and I bought it, but now (of course!) I can't find it. But it was called something simple like "Exercises for the Pelvic Floor." I got it on Amazon. I'm sure you could find it just by searching on those terms. Lots of pictures. You need a big exercise ball for some of them.

[CarolinTexas]

Thanks, I'll check it out. I really need to know which ones are the best for IC in particular. For example, I keep seeing posts that Kegels (also used in lumbar rehab) are either not good or good to do, depending on the post. Does this book talk about IC in particular?

After two lumbar spinal fusions (l4-l5-s1) and years of PT, I know most pelvic exercises and have the big ball (and tens unit, treadmill, trigger point hook, weights, jacuzzi, mats,etc) already.

By the way, how many people here have IC connected with nerve damage?

[yvette]

Could you go/call the PT place you went to and see what they have on file?...tell them you're having a hard time recalling what you've done in session and when you try to recreate it at home you're unsure of doing it right. Afterall you've paid for your sessions, no reason you can't have little reminders showing you how to do it right.....right? :)

I got all my pelvic floor excercies photocopied for me (altho its been years and since, I lost that and other stuff in multiple moves) If I had mine still I certainly would help you out....but sorry I have nothing left. :(

I will resume PFD therapy soon...gotta carve out some time for it.....ack.
I'll try and remeber to post what goes on with as I now have 2 interstim scars I don't want anyone touching....and its usually where they do all the trigger point stuff on my backside....

[Berkshire Road]

Carol -- My doctor believes I have nerve damage in that area. Possibly just from having untreated pelvic pain for the better part of nine years; the nerves are so overstimulated they're just shooting out signals for no reason some of the time. Is that what you meant?

[CarolinTexas]

Hi N'importe Qui, yes that's sort of what I meant. I have tons of pelvic exercise sheets and PT books. Plus, I did them for years, so haven't forgotten them anyway. In my research on posts, it seems certain pelvic exercises do more harm than good. I was just curious if some were more helpful than others. For example, I saw exercising piriformis muscles are more effective than others for the bladder area.

Guess I'll just start off slowly on the basics and see how I do.

Thanks for all your comments.

[sami4]

Nerve damage is what causes All IC, VV, IBS pain. The damage seems to be individual; allergies, surgery, injury from trauma, hormonal changes, chronic infections such as yeast or bladder, but the result is the same; chronically inflammed nerves that loop, spasm and refer pain all through the pelvic and leg areas.
Sammi