If you have been experiencing pain during urination or while menstruating, a constant need to go to the bathroom, or a burning sensation when you pee, you could have a condition known as interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis can occur for a few reasons, affecting the bladder.
You might be hesitant to discuss your conditions with trained professionals because of their nature; however, you can recover and lead a more healthy and active life with proper understanding and treatment.
Many people suffer from this condition and never seek help because they are scared or embarrassed. Beyond Therapy and Wellness in Bedford, TX employs the most skilled and knowledgeable pelvic floor therapists and knows the best ways to help pinpoint the source of your pain and ease your discomfort.
Request an appointment at Beyond Therapy and Wellness today to find true pain relief from interstitial cystitis and pelvic discomfort.
What is interstitial cystitis?
Your pelvic floor muscles should be able to contract and relax without issue. This allows for proper bowel and bladder function. Your pelvic floor’s job is to hold up your organs and send the right signals to your brain. With interstitial cystitis, this doesn’t happen.
Mayo Clinic defines interstitial cystitis as “a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. The condition is a part of a spectrum of diseases known as painful bladder syndrome.”
This chronic bladder condition causes pain, pressure, and urinary urge frequency. The symptoms are similar to those of other urinary tract infections or bladder infections.
Risk factors for developing interstital cystitis
Some individuals are more at risk than others for developing this condition. The following factors are linked to an increased risk of interstitial cystitis:
- Gender. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. Men’s symptoms may resemble interstitial cystitis, but they’re more typically linked to prostate gland inflammation (prostatitis).
- Age. Interstitial cystitis is most commonly diagnosed in persons in their 30s or older.
- Existing chronic pain disorders. Irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia are two chronic pain disorders that may be linked to interstitial cystitis.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis
Some common signs and symptoms affect people with this condition, including:
- urinary urgency (the feeling of needing to urinate urgently)
- urinary frequency (having to urinate more often)
- pain with sexual intercourse
Because of these symptoms, individuals with this condition are often told that they have a urinary tract infection (UTI); however, a urine culture will return as negative.
Often, individuals with this condition will develop complications, such as depression, which lead to overall lower quality of life.
Individuals with interstitial cystitis might experience other conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia, further worsening their quality of life.
The good news is that if you believe you’re living with interstitial cystitis, Beyond Therapy and Wellness in Bedford, TX may be able to help you feel better once and for all.
How can a pelvic floor specialist treat interstitial cystitis?
Sadly, this condition does not have a cure, but the good news is that pelvic floor physical therapy can help!
Pelvic floor physical therapists are able to treat several conditions, including interstitial cystitis. A pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. Physical therapy in Bedford, TX can help to reduce pain and other symptoms.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help to relieve trigger points in the pelvic muscles that cause pain to spread throughout the pelvic area. To restore normal blood flow and function, inflammation in the pelvis and around the bladder is cleared out. The muscles are able to return to their natural length and function appropriately after the stress is relieved.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can be done in many different ways. The therapist may use their hands or devices to apply pressure on the pelvic floor muscles. They may also teach you exercises to do at home.
These corrective exercises are performed with the goal in mind of strengthening the muscles that are located in and around the bladder.
With extra muscle strength, this area of the body will be able to support the bladder to a greater degree, relieving stress in this area. This can lead to pain reduction and overall improved quality of life. For this reason, it is critical to work with a trained physical therapist!
Request an appointment in Bedford, TX today
Are you dealing with urinary urgency or frequency? Is sexual intercourse painful and uncomfortable for you? The best way to determine the true problem is to visit a pelvic floor specialist at Beyond Therapy and Wellness.
Our overall goal is to help return you to a healthy and active lifestyle that doesn’t involve running for the bathroom every hour or living with chronic pain and discomfort. To learn more about pelvic floor physical therapy benefits, call our Bedford, TX clinic today and request an appointment!
