It is estimated that 10% of men in the United States suffer from pelvic pain. Historically, the prostate has been blamed as the culprit. We now know that in the absence of an infection, 95% of the cases of male pelvic pain are actually stemming from neuromuscular causes such as pelvic floor dysfunction. Pelvic floor physical therapy is listed as 1st-line treatment for these disorders by the American Urologic Association.
CONTACT US Testicular pain can feel alarming, frustrating, and hard to explain, especially when it lingers or keeps coming back. Many men assume the issue must be an infection or a problem with the testicles themselves. In reality, testicular pain often links back to pelvic floor dysfunction, nerve irritation in the lower back, or changes […]
Contact Us What is Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome? According to me (Stephanie Prendergast), these terms are outdated and not helpful for the management of the actual syndrome. The term “prostatitis” is misleading because roughly 97% of men with these symptoms do NOT have prostate pathology. The diagnosis “Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome” is problematic because […]
Exploring a Psychedelic Frontier in Women’s Health By Stephanie Prendergast, MPT, PHRC Pasadena Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a debilitating condition affecting millions of individuals—primarily women—worldwide. For many, the journey toward diagnosis and effective treatment is long, frustrating, and often fruitless. But could a centuries-old compound from “magic mushrooms” offer a new path forward? Recent […]
June is Men’s Health Month: Let’s Talk About Pelvic Floor Therapy and Male Sexual Health By Jandra Mueller, DPT, MS, PHRC Encinitas June is Men’s Health Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about preventable health issues and encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. While topics like heart disease, prostate cancer, […]
The Big “O” – Let’s talk Updates in Care By Jandra Mueller, DPT, MS, PHRC Encinitas When people hear the word “orgasm,” most people probably think about ‘pleasure.’ What actually is an orgasm? When it comes to truly understanding this complex physiological and psychological phenomenon—especially in clinical settings—the conversation is much more nuanced. At […]
By Alexa Savitz, DPT, PHRC Pasadena SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT At PHRC we are no strangers to working with male pelvic pain patients. About 50% of our case loads at PHRC can be made up of male pelvic pain diagnoses. Research shows that up to 16% of men suffer from Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) at […]
By Cambria Oetken, PT, DPT SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT In every one of my pelvic floor evaluations, I always ask about your sexual health. How does it function? Do you experience any pain? Where is the pain located? Can you achieve an orgasm? If so, is it painful or difficult to achieve? The list of […]
By Amanda Stuart, DPT, PHRC Los Angeles Did you know that September is Chronic Pelvic Pain Awareness Month? Whether you have pelvic pain or need to treat pelvic pain, this blog will be following the success of one our patients and their time in pelvic floor physical and occupational therapy. Fact: Research shows that […]
By Cambria Oetken, PHRC Westlake Village June is Men’s Health month, and men suffer from pelvic pain too. Research shows that up to 16% of men suffer from Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) at some point in their life. However, we suspect this number is lower than the actual prevalence because it is […]
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Pelvic pain is a complex condition that can have various causes, including medical conditions, injuries, and certain behaviors. In this blog, we will discuss 10 common behaviors that can potentially lead to pelvic pain(and potentially chronic pelvic pain). It’s important to note that while these behaviors may […]
By Emily Tran In the realm of chronic pain management, the intricate link between physical suffering and mental well-being cannot be overstated. Mental health counselors specializing in chronic pain populations often emphasize that chronic pain is more than a physical condition; it deeply impacts one’s mental health, potentially leading to or worsening conditions such […]
By PHRC Admin National Condom Week, celebrated every year from February 14th to 21st, serves as a pivotal reminder of the importance of sexual health and awareness. It provides an opportunity to educate about safe sex practices and their significance in maintaining overall wellbeing. As pelvic floor physical and occupational therapistss, understanding the intricate relationship […]
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and it’s an important reminder of the need to prioritize preventative care and wellness for all. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, men are more likely to experience serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, lung […]
By Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the leading cause of sexual dysfunction in men affecting one in five men. It is defined as the inability to achieve & maintain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse. There are several causes for ED. Vasculogenic, or due to an issue […]
By Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles National Men’s Health Week is held each year from June 8-14, and it is a time to raise awareness about the health of men and boys. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of preventive care, early detection, and treatment of medical conditions. Men tend […]
By Molly Bachmann PT, DPT, Birth Doula, PHRC San Francisco, CA One of the most common questions I receive as a physical and occupational therapists is “But why does it hurt? How did I get this?” Sometimes, these questions are really challenging to answer. Other times, there is a distinct root cause. Let me tell […]
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MSPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack One in 10 men will suffer from Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome at some point in their symptoms. Men can develop penile pain for numerous reasons: Excessive exercise Aggressive force and/or frequency of masturbation Persisting pain after disease, infection or inflammation Aggressive jelqing, attempts at foreskin regeneration, penile […]
By Stephanie A. Prendergast, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Los Angeles Let’s Talk Prostatectomy Facts Although prostatectomy is a very effective surgical intervention for prostate cancer, there are some common symptoms that can occur following surgery that each person undergoing this procedure should be aware of. In fact, only 22% of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy […]
By Jennifer Guan, PT, DPT PHRC Los Gatos André Fenri* is a 28 year old male who was referred to PHRC by his urologist. André reports that three months prior to his initial evaluation, he developed pressure and pain on the left side in his groin region. He reports that he had gone skateboarding […]
By Elizabeth Akincilar, MPT, Cofounder, PHRC Merrimack Although our knowledge is limited with regards to hard-flaccid syndrome, based upon the minimal medical literature dedicated to this syndrome and our own experience at PHRC, hard-flaccid syndrome most commonly occurs secondary to the following: When the PFM, particularly the urogenital diaphragm, or superficial PFM, become too […]
By Peter and Melinda Fontaine, DPT, PHRC Walnut Creek Pelvic Physical and Occupational Therapy (PPT) has been a wonderfully life changing experience for me following prostate cancer treatment. It has been a nearly three year journey, and I cannot speak highly enough of the benefits of my kind, caring, and immensely skilled PPT therapist. What […]
