IC- If at first you don't succeed...

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a bladder disorder that I am very passionate about. About 1/3 of physical therapy practice (Womanology, Inc.)includes women that I specifically treat for IC. The one thing that I have learned over the past few years is how different each individual responds to pelvic floor therapy. In efforts to help those with IC find the most helpful treatment, here are a few anecdotal findings that I have experienced with my patients:

1- Manual therapy with trigger point release of the pelvic floor generally helps decrease the intensity and frequency of IC flares.
2- Use of a TENS unit with a vaginal sensor (directly to the pelvic muscles) often is helpful in decreasing urinary urgency. It also is helpful in taking down a flare.
3- I have found that women who have many allergies or find that allergy meds help decrease their flares often also respond well to treatment of Pulsed Ultrasound to the urethra. (Ask your PT)
4- Biofeedback alone is not the most beneficial treatment. I found that it is somewhat helpful if used in conjunction with manual therapy but is usually not my first choice of treatments. I feel it is most appropriate in the women who are extremely hypersensitive and hypertonic(usually associated with fibromyalgia) and are not able to tolerate even single digit manual therapy.
5- Once flares are decreased, physical therapy can be utilized on an as-needed basis.