Understanding pain
- Leaflet: British Pain Society (pdf)
- Video: Understanding pain: what to do about it in less than five minutes
- Video: Lorimer Moseley - Why Things Hurt
General exercise
Always follow advice when starting a new exercise programme.
- Pilates
See the APPI website for information on where to find physiotherapist-led classes in your area - www.appihealthgroup.com
Also use this website to find the DVD 'Pilates for low back pain'. - Gym membership
It may be possible for your GP to refer you for a gym membership at a reduced cost. Make an appointment with them to discuss this option. - Swimming
This is a good way to get your body moving without putting extra strain on your pelvis.
Specialist physiotherapy
POGP website (specialist professional group for women's health physiotherapists)
Helpful reading
- Healing Pelvic Pain by Amy Stein (Amy is a women's health specialist physiotherapist).
This resource can be used in order to better understand the mechanics of the pelvis and how to optimise them when living with chronic pelvic pain. - Pacing leaflet (Oxford University Hospitals) (pdf) - www.ouh.nhs.uk/information
- Pelvic Floor Awareness leaflet (Oxford University Hospitals) (pdf) - www.ouh.nhs.uk/information
- Carter and Carter '10 Steps Completely Overcome Vaginismus: The Practical Approach to Pain-free Intercourse'
Medication information leaflets
- GnRH analogues (pdf) - www.ouh.nhs.uk/information
- Amitriptyline (pdf) - www.britishpainsociety.org
- Duloxetine (pdf) - www.britishpainsociety.org
- Gabapentin (pdf) - www.britishpainsociety.org
- Nortriptyline (pdf) - www.britishpainsociety.org
- Pregablin (pdf) - www.britishpainsociety.org
Psychosexual therapy
- Sexual Advice Association - sexualadviceassociation.co.uk
- College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists - www.cosrt.org.uk
- Relate - www.relate.org.uk
Long-term pain
For difficulties which are commonly experienced alongside long-term pain (e.g. depression, anxiety and sleep problems)
- Free self-help leaflets on a wide range of issues - web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp
- Video: Depression - www.youtube.com
- Video: Stress - www.youtube.com
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an approach which some people with long-term pain find helpful.
The skill of mindfulness is learnt through meditation. There are a wide range of resources available.
Books
- 'Mindfulness for health' by Burch and Penman (includes CD)
- 'Finding peace in a frantic world' by Williams and Penman (includes CD, a good general book but not specifically for people living with pain)
- 'Full catastrophe living' by Kabat-Zinn
Web resources
- www.franticworld.com
Some free meditation practices are available on this website - Headspace (app)
- Elisha Goldstein videos - http://elishagoldstein.com
