Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome can be very daunting and affect millions of men. The affected individuals have pain that can be debilitating. It affects their ability to perform several ordinary tasks, including sitting and walking. That can upend the life of an individual. 

We are excited to collaborate with Dr. Daniel Kirages from the University of Southern California, who has helped organize a three-episode Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome series. We are starting with an episode on the research, or science, side. Then we will have the urologist’s perspective. Finally, we will wrap up with an episode about the physical therapy intervention side. 

Today, we will be talking to one of the world’s scientific leaders in chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome, Dr. Jason Kutch, from the University of Southern California. Stay tuned for more!

Dr. Kutch is an Assistant Professor in the division of Bio-kinesiology and Physical Therapy at the University of Southern California. He received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Princeton University in 2001 and his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics in 2008 from the University of Michigan. Dr. Kutch is the Director of the Applied Mathematical Physiology Laboratory at USC. His work focuses on revealing the brain mechanisms of muscle control, engineering non-invasive systems to study human motor function, and understanding chronic pain disorders. He is an investigator in the NIH-funded multidisciplinary approach to the study of chronic pelvic pain, or MAP research network, with a particular focus on understanding the brain network mechanisms of altered pelvic floor muscle control in individuals with chronic pelvic pain. His work includes publishing the world’s first neuroimaging study in comparing men with chronic pain syndrome to healthy men. He teaches neuroscience in the USC Doctor, a physical therapy program. He has also been involved with the International Pelvic Pain Society, and currently serves as the Scientific Abstract Review Chair. 

Be sure to listen in today, to hear what Dr. Kutch has to say about chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Disclaimer: The Prostate Health Podcast is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be construed as medical advice. By listening to the podcast, no physician-patient relationship has been formed. For more information and counseling, you must contact your personal physician or urologist with questions about your unique situation.

Show highlights:

• Dr. Kutch explains how he started on the path that ultimately led to him being one of the premier investigators for chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
• Dr. Kutch discusses what the commonalities point to amongst men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
• Dr. Kutch relates what he has learned about the various ways of treating chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
• Dr. Kutch shares why it is not a good idea to do long-term antibiotic therapy.
• Dr. Kutch provides an overview of what the MAP research network is all about.
• Dr. Kutch describes the typical progression of chronic pelvic pain.
• Dr. Kutch explains what the most important contribution of the MAP research study has been.
• Dr. Kutch discusses his current NIH-funded study for chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
• Dr. Kutch explains how you can get involved in one of the studies from a patient or a provider perspective.
• Dr. Kutch shares how chronic pain syndrome impacted his life.

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