Pelvic Pain Clinic resources

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
  
  • Mindfulness
    
  • Body awareness
    
  • Breathing