The Book: "The Pleasure Prescription- A Surprising Approach to Healing Sexual Pain" by Dee Hartmann and Elizabeth Wood
- Suffer with pain that has been difficult to diagnose
- Are interested in resolving their pain
- Want to enjoy pain-free sex
- Desire more pleasure in their bodies, lives, and relationships
- Are searching for ways to help themselves
Coauthored by a women’s health physical therapist and a sexuality educator, The Pleasure Prescription outlines an approach that many women may find counterintuitive: that their own sexual pleasure may be a pathway to overcoming pain. Research shows that decreasing pain allows for more pleasure; conversely, the stories highlighted in this book suggest that increasing pleasure can help diminish a woman’s experience of sexual pain.
The Pleasure Prescription is the culmination of more than fifty years of the authors’ combined experiences with women in their respective practices. It includes case studies, diagrams, and the latest scientific research. Each chapter ends with “prescriptions” designed to guide readers through the healing process.
About the Authors
Dee Hartmann earned a degree in physical therapy from Northwestern University Physical Therapy. followed by a doctor of physical therapy degree from St. Ambrose University. As part of her participation in the American Physical Therapy Association's Section on Women's Health, Dee served as the originating chairperson of the task force responsible for creating the Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy. She also served on the Vulvar Pain Task Force and co-authored their findings. A pioneer in her field, Dee is or has been a member, fellow, president, and board director for a vast array of organizations dedicated to women's sexual health and pelvic pain, including the International Pelvic Pain Society, the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, and the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. Her research and findings are widely published in journals and books. She has been a guest lecturer and instructor at numerous schools, universities, workshops, and conferences around the world.As a sole practitioner, Dee used a functional perspective to help patients decrease pelvic pain and restore health. At the Center for Genital Health and Education, she continues to research sexual pain. With an added focus on pleasure, Dee brings much-needed, progressive insight into educating people through VulvaLove, Inc., a company she founded together with Elizabeth Wood.
Elizabeth Wood holds a master's degree in social work and was a sex therapist for many years. She is a sought-after speaker and guest lecturer who infuses pleasure into all of her talks. She is a member of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists and the Sexual and Gender Health Collaborative of the Front Range. Elizabeth is a certified tantra educator, somatic sex educator, and sexological bodyworker, allowing her to work masterfully with her clients utilizing a hands-on approach. Her most recent certification, and, as she says, her last, is as an Erotic Blueprint Coach(TM) enabling her to help clients dive deeper into understanding the keys that unlock their unique turn-on. Elizabeth and Dee kicked off the Pleasure Movement as a way for women to spread pleasure across the globe. In addition, they founded VulvaLove and the Center for Genital Health and Education to raise awareness, provide education, and conduct independent research on matters relating to genital pleasure and pain.