Interstitial cystitis, also called IC or painful bladder syndrome, affects 1 million Americans and although most of the sufferers are women, men and children can also experience IC, according to the Mayo Clinic. There is no known cure IC, but a variety of medications, exercises and physiotherapy methods that may help alleviate symptoms.
Symptoms
The symptoms for IC vary from dull yet manageable pain to severe pain. Those who suffer from IC often complain of pain while urinating and having intercourse, pressure on the bladder and mild to severe pain in the abdomen. For some, IC can become a lifelong debilitating and embarrassing condition. The symptoms may fluctuate in severity and go through periods of remission.
Pelvic Floor Muscles
According to the Interstitial Cystitis Health Center, the pelvic floor muscles are shaped like a sling and are located at the bottom of the pelvis. The muscles stretch across the pelvis and are attached to the pubic bone in the front of the body and the sacrum and tailbone in the back. Individuals who suffer from IC experience spasms in the muscles of the pelvic floor that control urination and bladder functioning. The spasms may cause pain to radiate through the lower abdomen.
Strengthening Exercises
Your doctor may recommend performing various strengthening exercises such as Kegel exercises for the pelvic floor muscles. Kegel exercises are performed by contracting and releasing the same muscles that you would use to start and stop the flow of urination. Try to contract the muscles for 5 seconds at a time and then relax the muscles. Work your way up to 10-second holds and repeat as many times as you can until the muscles fatigue. You can perform Kegels discreetly wherever you are.
Biofeedback
Some physicians and physical therapists use biofeedback to help IC suffers by locating the weak or spasming muscles that exacerbate the condition. Electrodes are placed on the abdomen, pelvis and occasionally inside the vagina or anus and data is fed into a computer that analyzes the movement of specific muscles. Using this data, the therapist can inform a patient about the muscles that must be exercised. Biofeedback can bring the patient more awareness and mindfulness of their muscle responses when they are in pain.
TENS Unit
The TENS Unit, also called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, stimulates the muscles around the bladder using a small electronic device. The pads of the TENS Unit are placed on the lower back or lower abdomen and send out a small electrical current. Studies have shown a positive response in the rehabilitation of IC patients using the TENS Unit. It believed that the TENS Unit stimulates and exercises the muscles and nerves around the bladder and decreases both pain and bladder urgency in patients.
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