IC101

When more than 85% of IC patients struggle with pelvic floor dysfunction, it's only natural that these tight, stressed pelvic floor muscles can be stressed and injured, often frequently. The challenge, of course, is that pelvic floor tension can cause all of the symptoms that you might associate with a UTI or a bladder wall flare, including: frequency, urgency, pressure or pain. There are, however, some subtle differences. Patients with tight muscles may not be able to start urination easily, sex may be painful and constipation a chronic problem.

The pelvic floor muscles sit at the base and sides of the pelvic cavity. But what makes them unique is that they also hold the bladder and other structures in position and they wrap around the urethra, vagina and rectum. So, when they become tight, they squeeze and compress blood vessels, nerves and organs. The urethra can become quite narrow, making it difficult to urinate. The vagina may be so tight that intercourse is impossible or, for many, quite painful. Struggle with chronic constipation? That, too, could be the result of tight muscles.

Typical triggers include:

Falls and/or stumbling
Sitting for long periods of time
Driving
Travelling
Childbirth
Sex & Intimacy
Periods of intense stress

Treatment for these flares will focus on muscle relaxation, stretching, the use of muscle relaxants, deep breathing and more!

It's not unusual for patients to have multiple rounds of physical therapy as they seek to train muscles that may have been dysfunctional for years. Patients can be taught to use a wand so that they can learn how to relax muscles themselves.

It's important to find a physical therapist who is properly trained in pelvic floor work. If they tell you to do kegel exercises and/or refuse to do an internal exam or treatment, they probably are not trained.

Please visit: pelvicrehab.com to find a database of PT's who have taken training and earned their certification.