Physical Therapy Demystified: Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial Cystitis. 

Not as fun as it might sound.

Interstitial Cystitis is also commonly known as Painful Bladder Syndrome. Symptoms include pain and/or pressure in the bladder and the need to urinate immediately. This pain can also present as pressure, on the urethra and pain in the tummy or low back. For men this pain can also occur in the testicles and scrotum. Often there is a relief from these symptoms after urination, which might also happen with great frequency, more than the average 7-8 times per day (sometimes up to 60 times per day with IC/PBS). 

A tricky condition with no medicinal cure, the main answer to your troubles if you are suffering from painful bladder syndrome is physical therapy. While it is hard to diagnose there are about 3.3 million women and 1.6 million men in the US who have been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, so you're not alone and there is hope to find relief from the pain. 

If you haven't been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis but have had painful urination symptoms for over six weeks that have no association with kidney stones or other infections, then there is a good bet you have painful bladder syndrome and your problems can be solved (or greatly helped) with physical therapy. 

Physical therapy is the answer you need when other medical preventions have failed. With a condition like IC/PBS you will find the greatest relief in working with a physical therapist to strengthen your pelvic floor. The intricate muscles in the pelvic floor are key to healthy urination. A visit to your urologist and consistent work with a physical therapist are the first step in your fight with Interstitial Cystitis or Painful Bladder Syndrome. 

Our pelvic floor specialists are at work in New York City's Upper West Side and Westchester to help you get your life back.