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Chronic Pelvic Pain Treatment in Waterlooville

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Specialist Treatment for a Condition That Is Often Misdiagnosed and Poorly Managed

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is defined as persistent pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, perineum, or genital region that has lasted for at least three to six months. In men, this is most commonly diagnosed as Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS)—also known as chronic prostatitis Type III. Despite the name, this condition accounts for the vast majority of prostatitis diagnoses while having no bacterial cause, meaning traditional antibiotics are often ineffective.
CPPS is one of the most common urological conditions in men under 50, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Many patients are told “nothing is wrong” after normal test results, leaving them without a clear roadmap for recovery. The result is often months or years of persistent pain, urinary urgency, and sexual dysfunction, all of which take a significant toll on mental health and overall quality of life.

Specialist Male Pelvic Health in Waterlooville

At The Physiotherapy Centre, we offer a dedicated pathway for men who have been left without answers. Chronic pelvic pain in men is treated here by Yves De Vos, a specialist male pelvic health physiotherapist.

Yves is one of the very few clinicians in the Hampshire and Sussex region offering specialist pelvic floor assessment and treatment specifically for men. We regularly support patients from Waterlooville, Cosham, Havant, Petersfield, Portsmouth, and further afield, providing a private, professional, and evidence-based environment to address these complex symptoms and restore your quality of life.

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Understanding Chronic Pelvic Pain

What Causes CPPS?
Despite being labelled as “prostatitis,” CPPS is not typically caused by infection or inflammation of the prostate. The current understanding is that CPPS is a neuromuscular condition involving overactivity and tension in the pelvic floor muscles, which creates a self-reinforcing cycle of pain, muscle guarding, and nervous system sensitisation.

The key contributing factors include pelvic floor muscle overactivity (the muscles become chronically tense, producing pain in the perineum, pelvis, and genitals), myofascial trigger points (tight, painful knots in the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles that refer pain to other areas), central sensitisation (the nervous system becomes hypersensitive, amplifying pain signals and producing pain in response to non-harmful stimuli), and psychological factors (stress, anxiety, and hypervigilance about symptoms contribute to muscle tension and pain amplification).

Symptoms
CPPS can present with a wide and variable range of symptoms, including pain in the perineum (between the scrotum and anus), pain in the lower abdomen, groin, or genitals, pain during or after ejaculation, urinary frequency, urgency, or hesitancy, a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying, pain sitting for prolonged periods, erectile dysfunction or reduced sexual function, and pain that fluctuates with stress levels. The symptom pattern is often inconsistent — some days are better than others, and flare-ups can be triggered by stress, prolonged sitting, sexual activity, or exercise. This variability is a hallmark of the condition and reflects the neuromuscular mechanisms involved.
What CPPS Is Not
CPPS is not a bacterial infection (antibiotics will not help), not prostate cancer (though screening may be appropriate for peace of mind), not a structural problem with the prostate or bladder (investigations are typically normal), and not a psychological condition (though psychological factors contribute to the pain cycle). It is a real, physical condition driven by neuromuscular dysfunction — and it is treatable.
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How We Treat Chronic Pelvic Pain

Your recovery begins with a thorough, 60-minute assessment with Yves. This session is designed to move beyond the “prostatitis” label and identify the actual drivers of your pain. We start with a detailed symptom history—exploring pain behaviour, triggers, and the impact on your urinary and sexual function. 

The physical assessment focuses on identifying overactivity and trigger points within the pelvic floor muscles, as well as examining the surrounding musculoskeletal structures, including the hips, lumbar spine, and abdominal muscles. Everything is explained in advance, and the assessment (which may include external palpation) is carried out only with your full consent.
A common misconception is that pelvic pain requires “kegels” or strengthening. In the case of CPPS, the opposite is usually true: the muscles are too tense, not too weak. This overactivity is what drives the pain.
Treatment focuses on teaching the pelvic floor muscles to relax through specific breathing exercises and awareness training to identify unconscious clenching. Yves utilizes manual release of pelvic floor trigger points and myofascial restrictions to reduce tension. You will leave with a toolkit of progressive relaxation techniques that you can practice at home to maintain these gains.
CPPS is often maintained by a self-perpetuating cycle of pain, muscle guarding, and nervous system sensitisation. We address each component of this cycle. Through pain education, we help you understand the neuromuscular mechanisms behind your symptoms, which reduces the fear and hypervigilance that can amplify pain.
We then move into graded exposure, gradually reintroducing activities you may have been avoiding—such as sitting for long periods, exercise, or sexual activity—to teach your nervous system that these movements are safe. Because stress is a primary trigger for symptom flare-ups, stress management strategies are integrated directly into your treatment plan.

For patients where myofascial pain is a significant component, or where there is associated erectile dysfunction, Yves may incorporate Focused Shockwave Therapy and EMTT into the treatment plan. These advanced technologies work to reduce myofascial tension, promote essential blood flow to the pelvic region, and support tissue healing at a cellular level, providing a powerful adjunct to manual therapy and exercise.

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What to Expect at Your First Appointment

At The Physiotherapy Centre, we understand that seeking help for pelvic pain can be a difficult step. Your initial 60-minute consultation with Yves is designed to be a respectful, professional, and clinical environment where your symptoms are finally given the attention they deserve.

Practicalities for your visit:

  • Clinical Environment: Your consultation takes place in a dedicated private treatment room. The assessment is thorough but conducted entirely at a pace you are comfortable with. Yves will explain every aspect of the examination before it begins; you remain in control at all times.
  • What to bring: Please bring any relevant urology reports, PSA results, or findings from previous investigations. This information is vital to help us rule out other causes and focus on your neuromuscular recovery.
  • What to wear: Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. No special preparation is needed, and you do not require a GP referral to book this specialist service.
  • Immediate Progress: You will leave your first session with more than just a diagnosis. You will have a clear explanation of the “why” behind your symptoms and a realistic, structured plan for improvement.

We believe in realistic expectations. Because CPPS often involves a sensitized nervous system and long-standing muscle overactivity, recovery is a process of “retraining” rather than a quick fix.

Yves will provide an honest assessment of your timeline. While many men experience a significant “unloading” of symptoms and a reduction in pain within the first few weeks, achieving long-term stability typically requires eight to twelve weeks of consistent relaxation practice and lifestyle modification. We are here to provide the specialist expertise and confidential support needed to break the cycle of pelvic pain for good.

Pricing and Appointments

  • Initial Assessment £100 (60 minutes)

  • Follow-Up Session £250 (30 minutes)

  • Block of 6 Sessions £1,095

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Conveniently Located in Waterlooville

  • The Physiotherapy Centre 96 London Road, Widley, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO7 5AB
  • Opening Hours: Mon: 8.00–7.00 | Tue: 8.00–7.30 | Wed: 8.00–8.00 | Thu: 8.00–7.00 | Fri: 8.00–5.00 | Sat: 8.30–1.00
  • Patients attend from across Waterlooville, Cosham, Havant, Petersfield, Portsmouth, Hampshire, and Sussex. The clinic is on the old A3 / London Road, just north of Portsdown Hill, near the Hampshire Rose pub. The No. 8 bus (Bushy Mead) stops just up the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chronic pelvic pain the same as prostatitis?

CPPS is classified as chronic prostatitis Type III, but it is not caused by a bacterial infection of the prostate. The term “prostatitis” is misleading — the condition involves the pelvic floor muscles and nervous system rather than the prostate gland itself. This is why antibiotics do not help and why pelvic floor physiotherapy is the most appropriate treatment.
Most patients require six to twelve sessions, typically spread over three to six months. The condition has usually been present for a long time, and the neuromuscular patterns that maintain it take time to change. Some patients notice improvement within the first few sessions, while others require a longer course. Yves will set realistic expectations at your first appointment.
Yes. Pelvic floor overactivity and the associated changes in blood flow, nerve sensitivity, and muscle tension can all contribute to erectile dysfunction. Treating the pelvic floor dysfunction often improves sexual function alongside reducing pain and urinary symptoms.
Yes. Home exercises — particularly pelvic floor relaxation, breathing techniques, and stretching — are an essential part of treatment. The changes you make between sessions are as important as what happens in the treatment room. Yves will provide a clear programme that is practical and manageable.
Yes. CPPS affects an estimated 10–15% of men at some point in their lives and is one of the most common reasons for urology referral in men under 50. It is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated because awareness among both patients and clinicians remains low.
Yes — stress is one of the most common triggers for CPPS flare-ups. Stress increases pelvic floor muscle tension, amplifies nervous system sensitivity, and disrupts the relaxation patterns needed for recovery. Stress management is integrated into the treatment programme.
No. CPPS is not caused by anything you have done wrong. It develops from a combination of factors — pelvic floor muscle tension, nervous system sensitisation, and contributing lifestyle factors — that interact over time. Understanding the mechanisms removes blame and directs treatment towards the right targets.
Many patients achieve significant or complete resolution of their symptoms with appropriate treatment. The realistic outcome for most men is a substantial reduction in pain, improved urinary and sexual function, and the ability to manage occasional flare-ups independently. Complete, permanent elimination of all symptoms is possible but not guaranteed — honest expectations are set from the outset.
Completely. All appointments take place in a private treatment room, and your records are not shared with anyone without your explicit consent.
No. You can contact the clinic directly and book an appointment with Yves. No GP or urology referral is needed, though any previous investigation results are helpful to bring.
Team

Meet the Team Supporting Your Recovery

Yves De Vos
Male Pelvic Health Specialist