A Headache In The Pelvis

Just Released
4th Edition of

A Headache in the Pelvis: A New Understanding and Treatment for Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes, by David Wise, Ph.D. and Rodney Anderson, M.D.

The 4th edition of A Headache in the Pelvis which describes in layman's terms, the Stanford Protocol, a treatment for pelvic pain developed at Stanford University in the Department of Urology, is newly revised and adds 63 pages to the 3rd edition.  This edition expands the illustrated discussion of pelvic pain related trigger point release, includes developments in home self-treatment and self-trigger point release, adds more accounts by patients in their own words of their experience with the Stanford Protocol, discusses neurogenic inflammation of the bladder, and the relationship between anxiety, inflammation and interstitial cystitis. The 4th edition discusses other conditions of mucosal inflammation paralleling inflammation of the bladder, the healing of the bladder and the issue of the usefulness of cystoscopy. There is an expanded discussion of the methodology of Paradoxical Relaxation and the relaxation of the pelvic floor.  There are more illustrations of the location of trigger points in men and women. The 4th edition gives a comprehensive illustrated discussion of female pelvic pain and the Stanford Protocol, female pelvic pain related trigger point release, and discusses female related pelvic pain related to pregnancy. There is an expanded investigation of the relationship between emotions, pelvic pain and related topics.

NOTE: The 4th edition of A Headache in the Pelvis is only available on this website and won’t be available on Amazon or in bookstores until around the middle of January due to a change in ISBN requirements.

This book describes the landmark treatment for individuals who have prostatitis and other chronic pelvic pain syndromes that was developed at Stanford University Medical Center Department of Urology. Here is a summary excerpt from A Headache In The Pelvis:

"We have identified a group of chronic pelvic pain syndromes that are caused by the overuse of the human instinct to protect the genitals, rectum and contents of the pelvis from injury or pain by contracting the pelvic muscles.This tendency becomes exaggerated in predisposed individuals and over time results in pelvic pain and dysfunction. The state of chronic constriction creates pain-referring trigger points, reduced blood flow, and an inhospitable environment for the nerves, blood vessels and structures throughout the pelvic basin. This results in a cycle of pain, anxiety and tension which has previously been unrecognized and untreated. Understanding this pain,anxiety and tension cycle has allowed us to create an effective treatment.Our program breaks the cycle by rehabilitating the shortened pelvic muscles and connective tissue supporting the pelvic organs while simultaneously using a specific methodology to modify the tendency to tighten the muscles of the pelvic floor when under stress."

Comments about A Headache In the Pelvis

"This is the book to read before you contemplate surgery, drugs or resign yourself to continue to suffer with chronic pelvic pain. Return to health is possible. By transcending the simplistic mechanical solutions, Drs. Wise and Anderson have developed an innovative clinical protocol that works."

Erik Peper, Ph.D.
Professor and Director,
Institute for Holistic Healing Studies
California State University, San Francisco
Past President, Biofeedback Society of America
Author of Make Health Happen

"A Headache In the Pelvis is a lamp in the dark human suffering of chronic pelvic pain. This book is a precious document that will help many people."

Robert Blum, M.D.
Director, North Bay Pain Center
Former Chief, Department of Neurosurgery
Marin General Hospital
Marin County, California

"Many pelvic pain patients go from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist without improvement, often feeling abandoned. A majority of patients with chronic pelvic pain do not respond to conventional therapies (antibiotics and anti-inflammatories) leaving a huge void. Drs Wise and Anderson offer a therapeutic option that can bring relief to many."

Bart Gershbein, M.D.
Clinical Instructor,
Department of Urology
University of California School of Medicine
San Francisco, California

"A Headache In the Pelvis is a very important contribution to understanding and treating pelvic pain. It is also an illuminating discussion of the relationship of mental and physical interaction in the production of disease, and an approach to a truly comprehensive treatment of illness that has relevance to a whole range of contemporary morbidities."

Donald L. Fink, M.D.
Professor Emeritus
University of California, San Francisco
School of Medicine

"The work described here by Drs. Wise and Anderson is at the forefront of the understanding and treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndromes like prostatitis. Their approach sees the big picture of these disorders and breaks new ground in our understanding of the subtlety of the mind-body continuum."

A.S. Hadland, M.D.
Director Integrative Medicine
Pain Management Service
Kaiser Permanente

"A Headache In the Pelvis is a book which casts an entirely new light upon the serious problem of chronic pelvic pain, and introduces a treatment that offers hope and relief to the many who suffer from it. It is surely "must reading" for all who must deal with this debilitating problem as well as all who attempt to treat it."

Martin F. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor
Department of Surgery
NYU School of Medicine

"It is important for the patient to learn all he can about his disease especially if he has prostatitis/CPPS. That is difficult because doctors seldom agree on either the cause, cure or treatment. The information contained in A Headache In the Pelvis will be essential for these patients."

Mike Hennenfent
President of The Prostatitis Foundation

"This compelling understanding of chronic pelvic pain syndromes offers a new and pioneering approach to its alleviation."

Frank Werblin, Ph.D.
Professor of Neuroscience
University of California, Berkeley

"This book is something different something not seen before in the field of Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain. This book will take you to a place you have never been before within Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain syndrome. The relaxation techniques, exercise and myofascial/trigger point release all are outlined and explained in great detail. Examples used to explain various points are truly excellent and enlightening. Pick up this book and you will be taken into a world of relaxation calm and above all a way to possibly ease your symptoms. The authors have created a new portal into the condition and offer you through the book just what they do to help sufferers get better. Lay back relax and you will not be able to put this book down. To suddenly be aware of your pelvic pain in the ways outlined in this hardback book is a truly enlightening experience. This time last year we could not have dreamed it possible to see a book like this on the book shelf. One of the authors of this book tells you about his own 22 year struggle (which he won) with CPPS (a heache in the pelvis) so it's from a sufferers perspective at times you will often say to yourself YES I feel like that when reading this book and smile simply because you will feel one thing; the authors understand my problem. Every UK Urologist should read this book if you can afford it you may wish to buy your Doctor a copy."

The British Prostatitis Support Association