Nimes Congress 2012

[charlie-collins]

Nimes congress 2012

This congress highlighted many area’s in which treatment has progressed, along with research and results. Yet there are still conflicting ideas and research into the best treatments. It was highlighted that there is a need to work together from a range of fields to be able to achieve the best possible results. Physiotherapy has been shown to be helpful in some patients in the short term using various movements and stretches which are non invasive.

Electrolysis was shown as another pioneering non invasive procedure into helping tension and muscle pain within the perianal area. Again more research needs to be done in this field.

There was an emphasis on the social and economic impact of pain, and the way in which it affects the patients quality of life.

I found the congress educational; it highlighted the problems with research. I felt there needs to be more independent research, to achieve unbiased results. I was pleased to see new non invasive procedure’s having benefit on improving pain. If a patient is complaining of pain a consultants responsibility to the patient would be in searching for the best treatment, medication, and pain management that is available, however this should be a shared responsibility. From a patients point of view I felt pleased that this is on the agenda for future discussions.

I found it very empowering to be able to attend this event. It enabled other patient support organisations in Europe and internationally to meet and discuss ideas, for improving patient- centred care. At a congress workshop, the Pelvic Pain Support Network shared ‘HealthUlocked’ with participants, which received genuine excitement and praise. It is important to remember that working together will give patient organisations a stronger voice in making an impact on policy and treatment in the future.

It was interesting to note the difference in opinion on defining conditions and the real need to have the same definition worldwide when talking about pelvic pain. Only by working together will patient organisations be able to achieve this. Being part of the bigger picture will empower patients to start being more actively involved in the medical choices that they have available to them.

It gave me the opportunity to talk to health professionals from several countries and medical disciplines about their approach to pelvic pain. This included pain medicine, urology, gynaecology, gastroenterology and physiotherapy. I helped with the Pelvic pain Support Network display and information table. This enabled us to demonstrate that PPSN works across a wide area of medical disciplines (interdisciplinary).

[helenlegs11 Volunteer]

Thanks for all of this information Charlie.

That's the problem with the pelvis isn't it, there are so many different specialities involved, urologists, gynaecologists, gastro. . . well you know

I think that is from my point of view as a pelvic nerve pain sufferer, it's wonderful that all of clever people do meet up and develop a greater awareness of other pelvic problems beyond their own individual speciality. It's got to help from a diagnostic standpoint.

I think that is the crux of what I would like to see,the recognition of all singular pelvic pain problems being understood by the separate medical modalities. That has got to help the diagnostic procedure which is SO important to getting targeted treatment for a correctly diagnosed pelvic issue. The Diagnosis being the important, although often difficult conclusion to reach correctly. How else can the correct treatment be prescribed?

I would also l like to see some interest from neurosurgeons who typically deal with the brain and spine as the sacral region and coccyx are also part of that pelvic region.

From what you have written it seems that the role of the physiotherapist should not be underestimated for treatment in many pelvic pain problems.

More than that in fact, I know of many people who have actually been accurately diagnosed by physio's when the 'more specialised' consultants just got it wrong.

Do you know if there will be any future papers or videos from the conference presentations released?

[charlie-collins in reply to helenlegs11]

.Hi Helen,

It is true, and I too have heard that Physio's tend to be very good at diagnosing the core problem, better than some other specialises. I truly would be amazing to see all of these specialists’ areas being able to come together and look at a patient as a whole and consider all areas of an individual.

France in already trying to bring these into their health care structure and would be great to see other countries giving this a go.

I am aware that the papers should be released, but as of yet I have to no idea as to the date, but can ask.