Treatment for interstitial cystitis in Newtown Pennsylvania

Physical Therapy for Interstitial Cystitis

What is interstitial cystitis (IC) and how is it related to the pelvic floor?

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is also commonly referred to as bladder pain syndrome or painful bladder syndrome. It typically presents with the following symptoms:

  • Suprapubic pain (or pain located above the pubic bone)

  • Frequency of urination (frequent emptying to avoid pain)

  • Urinary urgency with pain as the bladder fills

  • Nocturia (nighttime voiding)

  • Incomplete emptying of urine

  • Urine hesitancy/slow stream

  • Low back, abdominal and pelvic girdle pain

A therapist using a pelvic model to demonstrate treatments for interstitial cystitis in pelvic floor therapy

How can pelvic floor PT help with managing symptoms of IC?

Pelvic floor therapy aims to reduce muscle tension and tightness in the abdomen, hips, lower back and pelvic floor that could be causing or worsening your symptoms. Physical therapy exercises for interstitial cystitis should not include kegels (repetitive pelvic floor contractions) as this creates more tension in the pelvic floor and will make symptoms worse.

​Pelvic floor therapists provide hand-on manual treatments, individualized exercises and discuss ​lifestyle modifications in order to reduce flares and allow you to improve your activity level, with little to no symptoms.

“I was devastated when the doctors only solution was to take a medicine every day at 29 years old! I’m so glad I did my own research and found Vivid. Even after my first two sessions, I already am feeling relief from my symptoms.”
— A Vivid Patient
Abdominal massage for treatment of interstitial cystitis

What would treatment for IC look like at Vivid?

At Vivid, our therapists have taken advanced coursework in PT management of Interstial Cystitis with Dr. Nicole Cozean PT, DPT, WCS and author of The Interstitial Cystitis Solution.

At Vivid Women’s Health your Doctor of Physical Therapy will:

  • Find the root cause of your symptoms including looking at all of the contributing factors to your symptoms.

  • Address how your pelvic floor and core is functioning with your whole body.

  • Work with you with functional treatments and exercises that can immediately affect your symptoms

  • Treat your for one-hour with hands on treatments.

  • Be with you one-on-one for the entire session; no aides or techs.​​​

  • Treat you with compassion in a private, stress free environment.

    To learn more about us, click here.