Why Pelvic Pain Hurts: Neuroscience Education for Patients with Pelvic Pain Spiral-bound – May 28, 2015

Written in a manner that is accessible to both clinicians and patients, this book takes a biopsychosocial approach to the management of chronic pelvic pain and presents up to date research in neuroscience and pain physiology in an easy to digest format. Although it deals specifically with pelvic pain, the ideas presented are equally applicable to other chronic pain conditions. The authors use some simple but effective concepts such as the pelvic pain’s measuring cup which can ‘overflow’ as it takes in information from multiple sources, anatomically and emotionally, eventually resulting in the brain processing this information as pain in the pelvis. The simple illustrations help to reinforce the written detail. Information on various treatment options are presented with helpful hints on how to start exercising and using meditation and visualisation techniques.This is a well written, easy to follow handbook for patients with pelvic pain and a useful teaching adjunct for clinicians.

My PT asked me to buy this book, and I did so begrudgingly. I didn’t really plan to read it, but it’s pretty short so I gave it a shot.This book really opened my eyes. It completely changed the way I think about and understand my pelvic pain. Learning about the mechanisms of the pain and how it relates to your brain and nerve cells was a game changer. Gaining this understanding was the piece missing from my PT, and I’m really glad I ended up reading it after all. I actually use some of the mantras in the book - and they work. “I’m in pain, but there is no harm” will change your life.So, if you are on the fence about reading this book - don’t be. Definitely worth a shot.

This is a fantastic book for both patients and clinicians. As a pelvic PT, I often recommend this book for my clients recovering from chronic pelvic pain. I wrote a complete review of this book at my blog: http://jessicarealept.com/2015/02/18/book-review-why-pelvic-pain-hurts/In summary, our nervous system is powerful and incredible and is a significant in the pain experience. Often times, clinicians run into difficulty when they start talking with clients about the neuroscience related to chronic pain– mostly because these people have had bad experiences in the past with people thinking their pain is “all in their head.” Louw does a great job of emphasizing that pain is a real experience no matter what situation it occurs under, but that pain does not always correlate with tissue damage. Hurt does not always correlate with harm. This book uses fantastic metaphors and stories to help drive home key points.I strongly recommend it!

I’ve literally read this twice now. The book suggests to reread it again and again. It’s very helpful, great purchase!!

Attributes pelvic pain to overly sensitive nervous system and discusses means for turning down your personal nervous system 'dimmer switch' to reduce the pain. Concepts are in line with older books like "healing back pain, the mind body connection" that attribute pain to tight/spasm muscles from emotional state, anxiety, and rumination. The book is very simple and to the point with very clear (almost childish) illustrations--which is ok. This book is not written for any specific disease or condition, but throws all of what people may be suffering from into one bucket. Whatever level of pain you have can be theoretically reduced by applying the concepts presented. I read it twice, practiced their proposed visualizations, and incorporated the suggested mental approaches. Results...were just eh.

This book is a little primer for people suffering from pelvic pain. It talks about how it affects your life and how doctors don't understand it.Pelvic pain/abdominal issues range from bladder issues to IBS to bone misalignment, joint dysfunctions, muscular issues, and digestive disorders. And sometimes you just have pain for no known reason.The book uses several different metaphors to make its point, such as pain being like a cup running over, or having a lion on your back all day.It talks about the body's alarm system and how chronic pain means your body can't get the alarms to shut down. It emphasizes that just because you have pain it doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong.I think that in part it is an effort to comfort those who suffer from abdominal/pelvic pain issues because you can't see what is in there and the fear that something is drastically wrong tends to be rather high.My only complaint was I thought the book was too brief. It starts out well and introduces some concepts, such as cortisol production, that someone might need to pay attention to, but then it doesn't say where to look for help. The book then goes on to advocate things like eating right (but doesn't say what that means), and exercising such as stretches, but doesn't spell out anything specific. Just saying "do aerobics" is not especially helpful, especially if you're so sick you can't actually *do* aerobics.This is a good book to give to people who want to understand what I'm dealing with - my husband, for instance, or close friends. It helps them understand how much pain I'm in, if nothing else, and how they might help.

As a pelvic health PT I give all new patients this book to start their plan of care and help their understanding of what is going on. These principles are by far the best way to understand and treat chronic pain and have to be implemented in the plan of care.

Very informative and easy to read in laymens words. Not written by doctors, but by therapists that see this every day.If any woman is suffering from Pelvi Floor Dysfunction, this is a must read.I am very glad I read it so that I can understand my body while I am going through therapy.

Highly recommend to anyone suffering from persistent pelvic pain but frankly anyone with chronic pain could benefit from this book. It is a very simple, easy read.

I was recommended it by my physiotherapist and it’s brilliant.It’s written in such an easy to understand way, and uses great analogies to help visualise the concepts within it. I was blown away by the complex relationships in the body involving pain, and how it is handled.