By Jovie Murtha, Women’s Health Physical Therapist
It is estimated that up to 12 million Americans have symptoms of a chronic inflammatory bladder syndrome called interstitial cystitis, or bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). It is one of the most common pelvic pain conditions in the world, and it creates urinary frequency, urgency, and pain. It can affect both men and women, but is more common in females.
The cause of IC/BPS is damage to the lining of the bladder. This protective lining normally protects the bladder wall from urine. In IC, that lining is compromised, allowing the urine to penetrate the bladder wall and irritate nerves. This perpetuates the release of histamine and creates an inflammatory response within the bladder. When the bladder is inflamed, a person experiences pain and urinary frequency and urgency. The pain also causes the muscles surrounding the bladder to become tense. This creates pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
Interstitial cystitis often occurs in the presence of other autoimmune conditions, such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, vulvodynia, prostatodynia, and endometriosis. Many of these conditions are thought to have a component of nerve hypersensitivity. IC/BPS is typically linked to some type of environmental sensitivity, trigger, or allergy.
IC, left untreated, can drastically affect the quality of one’s life. Urinary frequency can greatly inhibit shopping, travel, sleep, and work. Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause pain and difficulty with bowel movements, abnormal urination, and pain with intercourse. Tight, painful muscles in the legs, abdomen and pelvis can limit sitting and the ability to carry out work and home tasks. Many with IC cannot tolerate wearing tight clothing. Dietary restrictions can also be a factor, as many foods and beverages are not well tolerated.
Is there any help available to those who are struggling with IC? YES! The first step is finding a doctor or physical therapist who will listen to your symptoms carefully and attentively. Most often, IC goes undiagnosed for years. Many patients have to search for a doctor or therapist that can help them. We are very fortunate in the Peoria area to have some excellent doctors, urologists, gynecologists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and nurse practitioners that are very skilled at treating IC, and treating it well. Effective therapeutic relationships with the right practitioners create a place for healing and progress. The more quickly one is diagnosed, the more quickly treatment can begin; the less damage that will be done.
Once a diagnosis of IC has been made, there are many treatments that can help! First, your doctor may discuss dietary interventions, supplements, oral medications, or treatments instilled directly into your bladder to reduce your symptoms. They will also likely refer you to physical therapy. Be sure to find a physical therapist (PT) in your area that specializes in men’s or women’s health. Physical therapy interventions are critical for pain reduction, patient education, bladder training, and muscle relaxation of the pelvic floor, legs, back, and abdomen. Your PT will issue a bladder diary to begin to retrain your bladder and help you discern what foods/ drinks may aggravate your symptoms. Your therapist will also release trigger points associated with IC and pelvic floor dysfunction. They will also give you tips and stretches to help you minimize your symptoms at home. Your PT will also discuss avoidance of those activities which can worsen symptoms. They will also teach you methods to relax your pelvic floor and associated muscle groups to aid with bladder emptying, bowel movements, and intercourse. Most importantly, they will help you get your life back!
There is hope if you are experiencing symptoms of IC/BPS. A good doctor/therapist team will be your guide to reducing your symptoms and restoring you to better health! Physical therapy for women’s health issues is available at Accelerated/Athletico Rehabilitation. Physical therapist Jovie Murtha is relentless in her mission to help women conquer pain and discomfort so they can be more active. For more information contact jovie.murtha@athletico.com or please call 309-683-6900. If you are interested in the IC/BPS support group in Peoria, please contact Jovie Murtha directly.
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