Beyond K: Information for Him

Also relevant for some trans women and non binary people with a penis and male urinary anatomy

Welcome to our dedicated space for men affected by ketamine bladder.

We understand that the symptoms can be painful and difficult to manage, especially when they impact areas such as bladder function, pelvic health.

This area has been created specifically for you, to offer, reliable information, and supportive resources.

We will continue to expand and develop the content, in the meantime, please make use of the short expert‑led videos below, which cover key symptom areas, practical strategies for easing discomfort, and insights from professionals specialising in bladder and pelvic health.

Hi, I’m Philip, a Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist based in Coventry.

You might have heard it called Ketamine-Induced Cystitis, or simply K-Bladder.

This is not a minor issue – it’s a serious condition that can lead to debilitating discomfort and even irreversible scarring of the bladder.

The symptoms can include severe bladder pain, urinary urgency, difficulty and pain during voiding. Secondary complications can be constipation, rectal prolapse and genital pain.

This seriously impacts a person’s quality of life.

There’s a dangerous myth going around that these symptoms are just temporary. That is not always the case. Early intervention is critical.

If you are experiencing anything like this, I urge you to reach out. Talk to your GP or any healthcare professional about what you’re experiencing.

Please share this information if you know someone who needs to hear it.

Philip Delaney

How Pelvic Health Physio Can Help Reduce Symptoms

As a Men’s Pelvic Health Physio, I work with guys to help manage these symptoms by:

Teaching the pelvic floor to relax (it’s often holding a lot of tension!)
Using deep breathing to calm the nervous system,
Gentle stretching techniques whilst also having clinical and practical solutions at hand.

All these strategies help towards calming the bladder and to reduce pain levels so you can get back to your life.

Feel free to contact me, or use this Find a Pelvic Health Physio link or get in touch via our contact form.

Should I do Kegels for my Pelvic Pain?

If you have a “hypertonic” (tight) pelvic floor, the answer is usually NO.

Why? Imagine a muscle that is already clenched tight. If you try to clench it more (Kegel), you are just adding tension to the fire.

The Rule of Thumb:

High Pain: Focus on “Down Training” – stretching and relaxation.

Tolerable Pain: Once the pain settles, the goal is to layer muscle balance, coordination and response, adding effective strengthening, whilst monitoring over time.

A tight muscle is a weak muscle, but you can’t strengthen a muscle that never relaxes.

Ketamine Bladder Pain - Music to Down Train Nervous System – Part 1

When dealing with Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPPS), your nervous system is often stuck in ‘fight or flight’.

Music isn’t just a distraction – it’s a tool to stimulate the Vagus nerve and down-train a sensitive system.

Try this:

Low-frequency, rhythmic beats.
Hum or sing along (this triggers the laryngeal branch of the Vagus nerve).
Focus on your breath.

Philip Delaney

Ketamine Bladder: Relaxation and Down Training using Music - Part 2

I was chatting in the clinic about how to help men with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CPPS) and the benefits using “down-train” (relaxing their pelvic floor).

My advice?

Put on some Pearl Jam!

I know, this is a bit tongue-in-cheek (and maybe a bit off topic!) but hear me out.

Listening to complex music allows you to actively focus on the instruments – the guitars, the bass, the vocals.

It’s a form of mindfulness that helps you breathe and release tension.

My Top Tracks for Relaxing:

Release
Given to Fly
Breathe

I’m not suggesting who to listen to (everyone has their own taste!) Give it a try!

Philip Delaney

Try these Positions to Help Reduce Pelvic Pain Flare Up

Having a particularly bad day with a pelvic floor flare-up? I give these 3 exercises to my lads in as a go-to toolkit to help settle things down.

Here is what you need to do:

✅ Feet on the Wall: Lie on your back, pop a cushion under your sacrum, and rest your feet on the wall. Breathe deep and let the pelvic floor drop for 3-4 minutes.
✅ Supported Fetal Position: Lie on your side, hug a pillow, and pop a yoga block/pillow/cushion under your knee. This takes the pressure right off those inner thigh muscles.
✅ Tummy Time: Lie on your front with a pillow under your tummy. Breathe deeply and just let your abdominal muscles relax and sink into it. Focus on your breath, if possible …. Inhale for 4, Exhale for 4.

Philip Delaney