PE 'science'- or 'fiction'- you decide...

Hi all. The first thing I would like to say is I am a newbie to PE, so keep that in mind when reading this. As a little background, by trade I am an Exercise Physiologist and a Massage Therapist (with specialized courses in deep tissue work). I also use essential oils in my practice. Based on the anatomy and physiology of the penis and surrounding tissues, I have come to the conclusion that hanging is probably the way to go for the best gains- and here is why. The MAJORITY of the tissue we are dealing with is fibrous connective tissue- made up of collagen fibers. Some of this tissue is elastic; it stretches then wants to return to its normal length. This is generally because the fibers are not all arranged in the same direction. The majority of elastic fibers are located in the penile shaft. The ligaments/tendons, however, have all their fibers arranged in the same direction, like the strands of a cable, so the tissue pulls in one direction. Hanging will tear the ligaments forcing repair by scar tissue. This info is not new- just background for my reasoning.

As you will note in Bibs’ posts, the idea is to bring the weaker fibers of the ligaments to failure then the next weaker fiber will fail and so on. The problem we have is that after hanging the tissue repairs itself with scar tissue and actually becomes stronger if we allow this process to happen. When not hanging, one should wear a light weight on the penis the rest of the time. The Circle Device is a good example- wish I could find others that were less expensive. The ADS device that lil1 has put in the tutorials is a LOT less expensive undertaking, though more cumbersome. In this way even if the scar tissue begins to form, it forms while the penis/ligaments are in a stretched position. So much for hanging, now I need to backtrack a bit- sorry.

Stretching is critical IMHO to avoid injuries when using any form of PE. Just like with regular exercise, a warmer tissue is more elastic and pliable which reduces the risk of injury. I am aware of the new research that indicates that stretching before exertion may not necessarily reduce the risk of injury, but from my 20+ years in the field of Exercise Science my experience indicates that stretching first is helpful- feel free to disagree. I have been using a combination of static stretching and AI for quite a while with my clients (AI is not new, it is just getting exposure in the exercise mags finally), and I believe that is the best way to go with PE also, and here’s why. By doing static stretching first you increase blood flow to the tissues, warming them slightly. Then you do AI to stretch tissues further than they normally would with a lower risk of injury. I think Johan’s method is good for PE; I have trouble contracting the Levator Ani (PC) muscle while contracting my abs unless I consciously make it contract. Also, since the abdominal aponeurosis (connective tissue) inserts at the pubic symphisis along with the connective tissue we are dealing with, one may actually be experiencing an agonist/antagonist stretch from that.

Backtracking even further, warming the area with heat first is critical each time. Connective tissue has limited blood flow in a normal state, by warming the area you are moving blood to the tissue and warming it so it is more pliable and easier to stretch. I have a hydrocolator (hot pack machine) that I use in my practice, so I keep a hot pack handy to use throughout my routine- not just at the beginning. I put it on just above my penis (where the connective tissue inserts in the pubic bone). An ACE bandage wrapped around my waist keeps it in place. If you do your exercises in a tub, get some caulk and put it around the drain on the front ‘side’ of the tub. This will allow you to add a lot more water. I have caulked there for a long time, as I offer my clients an aromatherapy bath with my deluxe package.

I am also experimenting with the use of essential oils for circulation and different base oils for skin stretching, as well as deep tissue massage. I will not have this research done for quite a while, as several of the oils have proven to burn my penis and surrounding area (although circulation IS increased) so I need to keep working at it. Please do not experiment with deep tissue massage unless you know what you are doing- it may lead to SEVERE injury. Also, unless you have been using aromatherapy for many years I would recommend you not experiment with it, but that is totally up to you.

In conclusion, my recommendations are to warm the area and keep it warm as long as possible, then do static stretching followed by AI stretching, then hang- and in between sets jelq, or preferably use a power jelq device (due to the ability of the device being pressed into the bone each repetition, it will ‘grab’ the tissue and stretch it), then warm down, then wear a weight the rest of the time. This will be my routine for a while- it is based on science and I will keep you posted. Remember, I am new to this so don’t ask me about gains yet- there are none.

You sound like an intelligent person and your research clarifies a lot for me and my program. Thank you for posting and I look forward to future posts. Once you start making gains to back up this research you will be greatly revered at Thunder’s Place. Later

Hi Big Cat and thanks for the kind words. I don’t know how intelligent I am- if my dick falls off during this experimental trial I will be wearing a dunce cap :) )) But seriously, I think if a newbie (like me) USES HIS BRAIN and takes hanging slowly and gradually instead of jumping right into high weights that he can make gains quickly because there is no scar tissue to overcome from prior PE routines. Guess time will tell.

Interesting concept …….. however you might like to look at hobby’s very well researched Connective Tissue thread. It draws different conclusions so I’ll be interested to see if your experiment confirms or refutes these findings.

Take care and let us know how you progress.

lil1 :lep:

I did re-read the study and it doesn’t refute the use of static stretching, hanging, and long term light weight use as far as I can see- in fact it seems to support it. It simply says these methods are uncomfortable and have dissallowed functional activities (page 503). If you look at conclusion #5 on page 504, it supports virtually everything I have suggested, with the exception of AI stretching. Thanks for your input lil12big1, I respect your level of knowledge and your willingness to pursue the clinical studies and do PE from a scientific point of view. Also, I am glad to see you have the computer knowledge to put up those fantastic tutorials- I hope there are many more to come! I certainly welcome the input of all members, whether you agree with me or not. Without debate and thought and brainstorming it will be difficult to determine exactly what works and what doesn’t in the area of PE.

I think the most important part (at least it was for me) in the connective Tissue thread, is the use of cold in the end phase of static stretching. This is a concept that hasn’t been vigorously explored, on this board at least, and may increase the potential for safe gains. It is also the key point which differs from your approach - that’s what I was getting at! ;)

lil1 :littleguy

Guess I need to look at that more carefully. I am currently going to Physical Therapy 3 times a week so I will ask the therapists if they have run across research in this area, too. That research was presented at the 1984 APTA conference and published in ‘87, so I will be interested whether newer research is continuing to support the findings we are discussing or if the current treatments are moving in another direction.