Bladder Pain Syndrome
Did you know that the American Urologic Association (AUA) recognizes pelvic floor physical therapy as the most proven treatment for bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC)? Read that again. Pelvic PT is the most recommended treatment! Good thing we know a couple... :)
Bladder pain syndrome (formerly known as interstitial cystitis) is pelvic pain or pressure that is PERCEIVED as being related to the bladder. People may also experience urgent urination (OMG, everyone out of the way, I have to go RIGHT NOW) or frequent urination (peeing more than once every 2 hours). Symptom presentations can vary considerably among patients. We used to think of BPS/IC as “a bladder problem”. Most recent research shows that it’s actually a very complex condition that can involve the interactions among the pelvic floor, the bladder, and the central nervous system.
Aside from pelvic pain and urinary urgency/frequency, other symptoms that may coincide with this diagnosis include: urethral burning, low back pain, painful intercourse, hip pain, groin pain. By the way - BPS/IC is a diagnosis of exclusion! This means we rule out infections and any other definitive causes. Diagnosis doesn’t actually require any testing and can be diagnosed just based on your symptoms. Based on AUA guidelines, symptoms must be present for at least six months for a “true” IC diagnosis. A urologist may opt to examine the bladder for any cancerous growths or Hunner’s lesions (these lesions to the bladder lining are found in only about 10% of BPS/IC patients!). This is called a cystoscopy, though it is NOT required for a diagnosis (according to the AUA).
So, why is PT the first recommended line of treatment for BPS/IC?
Most people with IC have some form of pelvic floor dysfunction. In your sessions, we will work to resolve your BPS/IC symptoms (whether they be pelvic/hip/back/groin pain, painful intercourse, frequent/urgent urination, or even bowel symptoms). Tight muscles can irritate our nerves, can contribute to pain, and can even confuse our brain into thinking we have an urgent need to urinate.