Male Pelvic Floor: Advanced Massage and Bodywork for Tension, Dysfunction, and Pain

Consulting / Coaching Services via Zoom or Phone

I frequently hear from men who tell me how difficult it is for them to find reliable, relevant and useful information about the male pelvic floor and associated dysfunctions. This applies to information obtained via the internet as well as from medical professionals.

The internet is certainly overflowing with information, but how do you tell what is opinion and conjecture as opposed to knowledge that is accurate, useful, and solidly grounded in a full understanding of the anatomy, function, dysfunction, and treatment of the male pelvic floor? Likewise, many men describe their visits to general practitioners, urologists, or other medical specialists - and the multiple evaluations, tests, and prescriptions that follow - all too often resulting in no clear diagnosis, no explanation of causes, and few, if any, useful ideas for improving or resolving their pelvic floor-related difficulties.

Medical professionals are very good at discounting or ignoring what they don't understand, especially when the pharmaceutical and surgical tools they employ yield no results. After months or even years of receiving little help or guidance, with no other options readily apparent, many men are understandably left with feelings of discouragement, anxiety, frustration and isolation - or worse, anger, depression and hopelessness. While these feelings are understandable, directing the energy behind these feelings into action can be instrumental in making progress. The most beneficial actions are acquiring accurate information about your condition, understanding its genesis and context, and—importantly— learning as many relevant self-help tools and strategies as you can so that an effective pathway forward can be created and improvements can at last be made.

Some men from other cities, states, or countries are able to travel to San Francisco to see me in person, but for the vast majority of non-locals who read my website and are interested in my services, this is usually not possible. For these men, a Zoom consultation can be an excellent alternative (or phone, if preferred). There is great value in fully telling your story, being heard and understood, learning why and how your symptoms may have developed, and being empowered with relevant and practical information specific to your issues or concerns. Practical skills development can include learning various useful tools and strategies (stretches, exercises, mental and emotional approaches, and physical behaviors, for example) as well as self-massage techniques (see below). All of these will help you make sense of your situation and discover actions you can take to effectively manage symptoms, improve function, and move toward resolution.

For some survivors of sexual or physical abuse the act of being touched—however skilled and sensitive—can feel unsafe and trigger memories, defences, and other unwanted responses. A consultation can be a safe and effective way to begin the process of re-engaging an area that may feel 'stuck', closed off, shut down, and of little vitality.

While the majority of men who consult with me are experiencing some degree of pelvic floor related pain or dysfunction, others may be interested in taking their average pelvic floor function to the next level. For these men, learning how to develop better awareness, control, strength, and flexibility can enhance many aspects of daily function, including core support, physical activity, and sports performance; urinary and sexual function; energetic or spiritual practice, and overall vitality. There is a wealth of information and practical tools that can be useful to all men.

How a Typical Consultation Unfolds

While there is no rigid structure to most consultations, there are several common components that are important to ensure the best outcome. Essential in this regard is a good overview of your background information: approximate date of onset and initiating factors; symptoms and how they have evolved; medical evaluations, tests, diagnoses, and treatments to date; and your current status. Also useful for me to know is what information you have learned from other sources (books, websites, articles, or other information resources), and from personal experience such as what makes your symptoms worse and what makes them better. In addition, your observations and thoughts as to why this situation has occurred, why it is continuing, and what your body may be telling you are often useful seeds from which further clarity and understanding can be gained. Nuances and details are important, as they will inform my thought processes and responses so I can better assist you. The more you can articulate these things, the clearer your road forward will be.

The discussion that follows will usually revolve around one of the most common questions men have: "What is going on in my body?" As information is exchanged, you will begin to get a better understanding of your symptoms, including what may have initiated them, why they are continuing, the role that the pelvic floor, pelvic, lower abdominal, and thigh myofascia (muscles and connective tissues) may be playing, and the mental and emotional components that often are so very relevant. As our dialogue continues, fresh avenues of inquiry often arise, leading to further clarification. The more information you acquire and self-awareness you attain, the better positioned you will be to choose and implement the most appropriate and effective paths to achieve your goals.

Another common question men have is "What steps can I take to better manage or resolve my symptoms?" There are a number of things that I can teach you or evaluate during our consultation that, once learned, you can continue on your own. These can include: pelvic floor assessments, pelvic floor awareness exercises, stretching and/or strengthening exercises specific to the pelvic floor, how to use the respiratory diaphragm to positively affect the pelvic floor, strategies to reduce or better manage psychological and emotional stress related to pelvic floor pain or dysfunction, and much more. In addition, I will suggest practical resources such as books and websites that can give you further knowledge and greatly expand the number of self-help tools available to you. In some cases I may be able to provide contacts or referrals for more information and/or manual therapy in your state or country. A number of other suggestions may be made depending on your specific situation.

Pelvic floor and regional self-massage techniques can be another useful self-help tool and a valuable skill that can be taught during a Zoom consultation. Clients can learn the location and function of various muscles and be guided through specific massage techniques to stretch, open, and mobilize them with various goals in mind, including releasing tension; managing, reducing, or eliminatiing discomfort or pain; and improving overall health and function. Nearly all of the pelvic floor, lower abdominal, inguinal, and pubic muscles and connecive tissues can be self-treated in this way. Among them are the bulbospongiosus muscle, ischiocavernosus muscles, transverse perineal muscles, perineal body, anal sphincters, much of the levator ani muscle group, the myofascia around the tailbone, the cremaster muscles, the lower abdominals, and the inguinal and pubic connective tissues. In addition, when indicated and appropriate, specific manual techniques can be applied to the penile ligaments, smooth muscles, and connective tissue layers to enhance tissue pliability and function. Pelvic floor and regional self-massage applied in an informed and organized way is more effective than many readers may initially suspect and can benefit individual muscles and connective tissues, the pelvic floor as a whole, the genitals, and the entire pelvic and abdominal region.

Last, but not least, is validation and encouragement. Recognition, understanding, and meaningful support are often sorely lacking when the medical community is presented with male pelvic floor issues and related dysfunctions, yet in my view they are key aspects of the therapeutic process. Back to top

Setting Up a Consultation

Consultations can be set up by phone 415 - 626 - 7095 or via email: corebodywork@protonmail or corebodywork@gmail.com. We can discuss potential days and times, keeping in mind the time zone differences that may exist depending on what part of the world you are in (I am located in the Pacific Time Zone in the U.S.).For Zoom meetings, once we settle on a day and time I will schedule the meeting within my Zoom account and email you an invitation containing the code, password, and date and time we are scheduled for. You do not have to have a Zoom account to be able to join a meeting as a participant. Note that video meetings are never recorded to ensure client privacy. If we set up a phone consultation and you live in another country, you will be the one to initiate the call; the U.S. country code is 001.

How Much Time?

It is difficult for either of us to know with any certainty how much time would be appropriate. It is important to allow adequate time for you to fully relate your history relative to your symptoms, for me to offer information to help you understand your condition as I see it, and for us to discuss useful suggestions for moving forward. I have a one hour minimum for each consultation, but many men ask to extend our discussion towards the end of the initial hour as they are finding the exchange so helpful. When this is the case, consultations can frequently last for two or even three hours. As described below, payment is made in advance for the first hour. Back to top

Follow Up

Some men consult with me more than once over a period of time as their situation changes, new information emerges, or fresh questions present themselves. Whether the consultation process is singular or multiple, however, I am always interested in my clients' progress. An email update after a few weeks or months is purely voluntary but is greatly appreciated.

Consultation Rates and Method of Payment

My consultation fee is $110 for the initial minimum of one hour — a significant reduction from my usual in-person fee — with additional time added in 15 minute increments and pro-rated accordingly. Payment for the first hour must be received at least 24 hours prior to our scheduled consultation; it also serves as final confirmation of the date and time we have chosen.

Payment is made via a PayPal or Square invoice I will send you once we set up the consultation appointment. For U.S. citizens, a personal check may be an acceptable alternative in rare circumstances, but takes additional time to allow for mailing and processing.