Recovery from pelvic pain

From Six Years of Pelvic Pain to Recovery: Adam’s Story

For six years, pelvic pain was a constant, unwelcome guest in Adam’s life. He tried everything, but nothing truly helped. It was only when he began to view his symptoms differently that room for recovery opened up. Together with Dr. David Clarke, he looks back on the insights that made all the difference for him.

It started with what seemed like an ordinary gym injury, yet it triggered a six-year search for answers. The pain didn't just limit what Adam could do physically; it reshaped how he saw himself, what he feared, and how he lived his day-to-day life.

When working out was no longer second nature

In 2017, while doing an exercise, Adam felt a sharp pain on the inside of his right shoulder blade. Working out was far more than just a hobby to him at that time; it gave him structure and was a core part of his identity. When exercise was no longer an option, it felt as though he had lost a piece of himself.

Six months later, he wanted to get back on track with lower-body workouts. During a set of heavy squats, he suddenly felt something high up in his hamstring, right near the sit bone. Panic set in immediately. The pain persisted, and what started as an injury quickly spiraled into years of pelvic pain. Adam went from physical therapist to osteopath and acupuncturist, always holding on to the hope that someone would find the answer.

A Different Perspective on Persistent Pain

A first breakthrough came when Adam read A Headache in the Pelvis. The book didn’t just focus on the physical body, but on the interplay between mind and body. Through meditation and mindfulness, Adam realized he might not need to keep searching for physical damage alone. His brain and nervous system could also be playing a key role.

At first, he found that idea hard to accept. How could pain feel so real if there was no longer any tissue damage? Yet one question kept lingering: why was a fitness injury from when he was 21 still controlling his life so many years later? Dr. Clarke explains that an injury usually heals within 8 weeks. Sometimes, however, the body’s alarm system remains dialed up too high, even long after the tissue has fully healed.

Learning to Move Again

With that insight, Adam began doing what he had avoided for years. He started small: bending down to tie his shoelaces or getting up from the couch without bracing himself first. At first, the pain would sometimes flare up. Yet he stayed calm and kept practicing. Every safe movement sent a new message to his brain: I can do this; my body is not in danger.

Making Room for Emotions

Journaling helped too. In a diary, Adam could write down what was going on inside him without any filter. He had pushed away anger in particular for a long time. By allowing those feelings without needing to act on them immediately, he became less hard on himself. It also helped him look at his youth more honestly, without blaming anyone or erasing the fond memories.

Dr. Clarke emphasizes that you don't have to act on every emotion, but acknowledging its presence is essential. For Adam, recovery ultimately revolved largely around self-compassion: being gentler with himself, sensing his boundaries, and honoring what he needed.

Not Returning to the Old Life

Today, Adam can move and train pain-free once again. But he does so differently than before—no longer obsessively, and no longer to prove his worth or identity. Exercise now feels like something he gifts himself, rather than an obligation.

For Adam, the greatest victory isn't just what his body can physically do again. He views himself—and what pain tries to tell him—through a completely different lens. Instead of immediately viewing pain as the enemy, he now asks whether stress, fear, or an ignored need is playing a role. He no longer wishes to return to his old life; what he found on the other side of pain feels freer, gentler, and far richer.

Disclaimer: This article describes a personal recovery experience and does not replace medical advice. Always have new, severe, or persistent symptoms evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ATNS