The question that many pain patients face when contemplating exercise is “will it help or hurt?” The evidence is overwhelming in favor of the former. Exercise can lift the spirits, alleviate depression and trigger the release of our bodies natural pain killers, endorphins. Many patients feel that regular exercise helps relieve symptoms thus requiring the use of fewer medications. Exercise can help increase blood flow to the pelvis, thus supporting the delivery of oxygen and other key nutrients to the pelvic organs and muscles. Regular exercise helps to decrease body weight. Perhaps most importantly, exercise can help strengthen (or relax) the pelvic floor muscles.
For the hard core athlete, a diagnosis of IC and/or pelvic pain creates great tension and confusion. I exercise for the joy of it. I love the way that I feel and the routine of going to the gym several days a week, doing distance swimming, rowing and weight lifting. Even after my diagnosis, I aggressively worked out to the frustration of my family who could clearly see that my pain was worse afterwards. I, on the other hand, was enjoying my adrenaline high.
It took a year before I finally accepted that my routine was not helping. It was when an IC support group leader reminded me that pain is a symptom that suggests that we should, perhaps, slow down that the light dawned. I had never, up to that point, believed that I was hurt nor had I given myself permission to slow down. When I actually stopped working out for a few months, I gave my body time to catch up. I started listening more closely, modifying my workouts accordingly. It didn’t take long before I could enjoy my sports again!
When you are in pain and suffering, it’s important to be respectful of that pain as an indicator that you are, indeed, hurt. Workouts must be modified accordingly and, on some days, may consist of a simple walk around the block. But, on those days when you’re feeling great, I encourage you to enjoy sports! We suggest trying exercise programs have been created for patients struggling with pelvic pain.
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