Pelvic Pain Explained

What You Need to Know

By (author) Stephanie A. Prendergast, Elizabeth H. Akincilar

Paperback - £25.00

Publication date:

07 January 2016

Length of book:

194 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442248311

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 include: 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.
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. 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.... The overarching strength for the sufferer is that there is so much hope in this book. Although this is written in the US, 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. The patient, medical and nursing (whatever stage in their career) and medical teams (particularly useful when looking at individual cases) [should read this book].