Painful Bladder Syndrome
Interstitial Cystitis
Symptoms include:
- Burning before, during or after urination
- Suprapubic pain (pain above the pubic bone)
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Urinary frequency and/or urgency
- Nocturia (urinating frequently at night)
The bladder and urethra lie very close to the pelvic floor muscles. When these muscles become tight they can create the above-mentioned urinary symptoms. Concurrently, because of the viscero-somatic reflex, bladder disease can cause musculoskeletal impairments.
Urinary dysfunction can be caused by tight muscles in the urogenital diaphragm, myofascial trigger points (taut, painful band in muscles or fascia) in the adductors (inner thigh muscles), abdominal muscles, or the pelvic floor muscles, connective tissue restrictions in the abdomen or lower extremities, or sacro-iliac joint dysfunction.
Your physical therapist will normalize the tight muscles and tissue with manual therapy techniques. A home exercise program will be prescribed to you to facilitate recovery and maintain the gains made. Resolution of the musculoskeletal dysfunction will result in the elimination of your symptoms.Disclaimer: The Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center seeks to educate the community on musculoskeletal causes of pelvic pain. Specific medical advice and/or answers to your personal health questions will require a full examination by one of our physical therapists. This website is not intended to be a substitute for a medical evaluation, but rather as an educational resource.