Certain Exercises

There are certain exercises that will put extra pressure on the pudendal nerve. There are some people with pudendal neuralgia that got pudendal neuralgia from weightlifting. Usually any type of exercise that is designed to work on your glutues muscles, will probably cause more inflammation to the pudendal nerve. Some theories around this, is that as the gluteus muscle becomes larger, from a particular exercise or weightlifting, it can put a constraint on the pudendal nerve. For most people, working out is not an issue, but for some, weightlifting and working out in trying to build a great body, had become their worse nightmare.

Here are some exercises that should be avoided. This list was developed by Dr. Stanley Antolak, in Minnesotta. He was giving this list to all of his new patients at one time. The administrators of this website, would now like to pass this information onto you.

Exercises not to do with PN –

Squatting, Cycling, Piriformis stretches, Gym work outs, Stair Master, Ellipse, Exercise cycle, Lifting, Bowling, Ab crunches, Leg presses, Pilati, Step aerobics, Yoga, Skiing, Sit-ups, Jogging and Spinnig.

There are probably a few more exercises that we have not discussed. I would use your best judgement. Usually people with PN, after doing any of the exercises above, they will have pain for a few days. Our rule of thumb, if it hurts, stop doing it!

Yoga and Pilates are also mentioned in this list. Some PN'ers have had some flare ups with Yoga and Pilates, primarily due to all the stretching that is involved. The stretching will also stretch the pudendal nerve. Yoga seems like a relatively safe exercise, but for people with PN, it's not.