Interstitial Cystitis

The Interstitial Cystitis (IC) Association defines IC as a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder wall similar to a urinary tract infection that affects both sexes. Unlike common cystitis, IC is believed not to be caused by bacteria (even though it can feel like an infection) since it does not respond to conventional antibiotic therapy. Symptoms may include the need to urinate frequently (frequency), the sensation of having to urinate immediately (urgency), and pain anywhere between the navel and the thighs that can become intense during sexual intercourse. Stress and environmental causes have not been found to play a role, although there is some evidence that IC may be influenced by genetics. Ninety per cent of people diagnosed with IC are women, although these rates may change since some men diagnosed with “prostatitis” or similar conditions may actually have IC (for more information see www.ichelp.org).

Do the pelvic floor muscles affect IC?

IC patients have problems with pelvic floor muscles and develop pelvic floor dysfunction, which differs from that associated with incontinence, the uncontrollable loss of urine. Rather than being too relaxed, the muscles are too tense and may spasm, resulting from uncoordinated muscle contraction. Kegel exercises, which physical therapists often prescribe to treat incontinence by increasing pelvic floor muscle tone, may actually make life more difficult for the IC sufferer! The best pproach is to learn how to relax those muscles. PhysioDynamics provides a wide range of therapeutic techniques, mobilizations, home programs, electrical modalities and biofeedback to help you relax those muscles and restore them to their normal strong state. At PhysioDynamics we also treat other associated areas for pain, trigger points, muscle and joint imbalances, and behavior modification.

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