What is prostatitis?

Our male patients experience chronic prostatitis as an inflammation of the prostate gland that develops gradually, continues for a prolonged time and typically has subtle symptoms. Sometimes there is no infection even though all the symptoms are present and occasionally interstitial cystitis (IC) is diagnosed incorrectly as prostatitis. The prostate gland, which produces semen is about the size of a walnut and is located just below the bladder.

If you have prostatitis, your symptoms may include the need to urinate urgently or frequently, a burning sensation during urination and pain in your pelvis, perineum, scrotum, penis, groin or lower back. Although the condition typically affects men older than 60, it strikes other age groups, even those younger than 40. A bladder infection can cause prostatitis. Other causes include using any tools that routinely subject you to strong vibrations as well as jogging or bicycling. While it may not be possible to cure prostatitis, these symptoms can be controlled with a variety of treatments and self-care programs.

Is prostatitis treatable?

Yes — your treatment plan may include medications, physical therapy and in rare cases, surgery. Antibiotics are often the first line of treatment for bacterial prostatitis.
Other medications your doctor might prescribe include alpha blockers, pain relievers and muscle relaxants. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Special exercises and relaxation techniques can improve symptoms of prostatitis in some men, perhaps because tight or irritated muscles contribute to the condition.”

At PhysioDynamics we will show you how to exercise, relax, stretch, self-treat and make lifestyle changes. Other treatments include: heat application to limber up muscles; electrical modalities to reduce pain; myofascial release for those tender spots; and biofeedback to teach you how to control certain body responses (such as muscle relaxation or contraction) by following a monitor that displays the muscle activity. Sometimes just sitting in a warm bath
is effective!

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