Search Our Site

Meet Our Team

About Heather Jeffcoat, DPT | Los Angeles Pelvic Floor Doctor

Heather Jeffcoat, DPT - los angeles pelvic floor doctor
Read more ...

About Laureen McVicker, PT, CLT

Laureen McVicker, PT, CLT
Read more ...

About Kasia Gondek, PT, DPT, CSCS

Read more ...

About Debbie Dy, PT, DPT

Debbie Dy, PT, DPT
Read more ...

About Sarina Karwande PT, DPT, CAFS

sarina
Read more ...

About Stephany Tritt, PT, DPT

Stephany Tritt, PT, DPT

About Trinity

About Trinity
Read more ...

About Iris

Femina PT staff
Read more ...

About Christina Yen

Christina Yen
Read more ...

About Ejiro Agege

Ejiro Agege
Read more ...

About Judielle

rehabilitation assistant Judielle
Read more ...

About Hannah

rehabilitation assistant Hannah
Read more ...

About Mary P. Shriver, CMT

Read more ...

About Christina Lindeman

Christina Lindeman
Read more ...

About Mary Beth Kedzior, CMP

Mary Beth Kedzior, CMP
Read more ...
Interstitial Cystitis | IC & Symptoms | Image Courtesy of Marek Piwnicki via Unsplash
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive
 

Interstitial cystitis (IC) also known as bladder pain syndrome or painful bladder syndrome, is a debilitating condition that significantly affects the quality of life of patients living with it.

Symptoms of IC include: 

  • An unpleasant sensation (pain, pressure, discomfort) perceived to be related to the urinary bladder >6 weeks in duration6,7,9 
  • Increased pain with specific foods or drinks and/or worsened with bladder filling and/or improved with urination9.
  • Urinary urgency (Seen in 84% of IC patients)6.
  • Urinary frequency (>10x/day) (Seen in 92% of IC patients)6.

Many patients with IC have other overlapping pain conditions such as Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse). 88% of patients with IC had at least one symptoms of sexual dysfunction (lack of sexual interest, can’t relax and enjoy sex, difficulty becoming sexually aroused and difficulty reaching orgasm)1. Women with IC rated their sexual dysfunction as moderate to severe when compared to controls and reported increased pain with intercourse, decreased desire and decreased frequency of orgasm5,6

How can pelvic health physical therapy help IC?

Pelvic health physical therapy has been given a grade A from the American Urological Association as a treatment modality for IC. The types of treatment recommended were:

  •  Manual therapy techniques to the regions of the pelvis, abdomen and/or hip. 
    • Trigger point release
    • Lengthening of tight muscles/connective tissue restrictions 
    • Scar tissue mobilizations.

The American Urological Association recommends that patients have multimodal therapy to address all domains that IC can affect. Some of the therapies recommended for IC include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Pain counseling 
  • Psychology 
  • Stress management

To discuss your treatment options with a physical therapist, make an appointment here

The AUA has recently (2022) published updated guidelines to the treatment of IC and BPS.  These updates are highlighted and discussed in our blog post: Updates to Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome Treatment Guidelines.

 

References

1. Bogart LM, Suttorp MJ, Elliott MN, Clemens JQ, Berry SH. Prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction among women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis. Urology. 2011;77:576–580.

2. Hanno P and Dmochowski R: Status of international consensus on interstitial cystitis/ bladder pain syndrome/painful bladder syndrome: 2008 snapshot. Neurourology and Urodynamics 2009; 28: 274.

3. Clemens JQ, Link CL, Eggers PW et al: Prevalence of painful bladder symptoms and effect on quality of life in black, Hispanic and white men and women. J Urol 2007; 177:

4. Lifford KL and Curhan GC: Prevalence of Painful Bladder Syndrome in Older Women. Urology 2009; 73: 494

5. Peters KM, Killinger KA, Carrico DJ et al: Sexual function and sexual distress in women with interstitial cystitis: a case- control study. Urology 2007; 70: 543.

6. Tincello DG and Walker AC: Interstitial cystitis in the UK: results of a questionnaire survey of members of the Interstitial Cystitis Support Group. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2005; 118: 91.

7. Fitzgerald MP, Koch D and Senka J: Visceral and cutaneous sensory testing in patients with painful bladder syndrome. Neurourol Urodyn 2005; 24: 627.

8. Fitzgerald, MP et al: Randomized multicenter clinical trial of myofascial physical therapy in women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) and pelvic floor tenderness. J Urol 2012; 187: 2113

9. Warren JW, Brown J, Tracy JK et al: Evidence Based criteria for pain of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome in women. Urology 2008; 71: 444

Products We Love

LaVie Mom Warming Lactation Massage Pads
LaVie Warming Lactation Massager at Femina Physical Therapy
Good Clean Love
Good Clean Love

Backed by more than 100 years of expertise

We pride ourselves on leading the industry with the most innovative and scientifically advanced Bio-Match® product formulations for vaginal care. Our Scientific Advisory Board supports our mission to be a trusted and approved brand for the many medical communities we serve.

Experience our wonderful products for yourself:

  • Almost Naked® Organic Personal Lubricant - Our certified organic, water-based lubricant is pH-balanced while helping you enhance your love life naturally. Made with aloe vera and infused with lemon and vanilla for a light flavor, our organic formula provides long-lasting glide without irritating chemicals or sticky cleanup.
  • BioNourish™ Ultra Moisturizing Vaginal Gel with Hyaluronic Acid - Nearly one in five women ages 18 to 50 experience vaginal dryness. It's not just a symptom of menopause. Dryness, and associated discomfort or unnatural odor, has a wide variety of causes and ranges from occasional mild symptoms to chronic irritation and atrophy.
  • Restore® Moisturizing Vaginal Gel - This pH-balanced and moisturizing gel may help eliminate feminine odor and relieves vaginal dryness and discomfort. Restore® promotes the maintenance of healthy vaginal flora by mimicking the body’s natural pH levels, salt balance and lactic acid produced by proven, beneficial lactobacilli.
  • BioNude™ Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant - Some bodies are naturally more sensitive than others, which is why we offer BioNude™ Ultra Sensitive Personal Lubricant. This water-based personal lubricant is made with hydroxyethylcellulose, a plant-based material shown to be hypoallergenic.

Use the code FEMINA at checkout to receive 20% off the entire Good Clean Love product line!

LaVie Mom Lactation Massager
LaVie Lactation Massager at Femina Physical Therapy

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor.

Sherman Oaks

13425 Ventura Blvd.
Suite 200
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Telephone:
(818) 877-6910

The Sherman Oaks office is adjacent to Studio City and serves the Bel Air, Brentwood, West LA, Mulholland, Beverly Hills, Encino, Calabasas and San Fernando Valley area.

Map to Fusion Wellness PT Sherman Oaks Location

Hours:

Monday 7:30-6:00
Tuesday 7:00-6:00
Wednesday 7:00-6:00
Thursday 8:00-6:00
Friday 7:00-6:00

Glendale/Montrose and Pasadena Areas

3702 Park Place
Montrose
California 91020

Telephone:
(818) 864-6732

>The Montrose area of Glendale is located minutes from Pasadena, Burbank, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Los Feliz, Echo Park, and Eagle Rock.

Map to Fusion Wellness PT Montrose Location

Hours:

Monday  7:00-6:00
Tuesday 7:00-4:00
Wednesday 7:00-6:00
Thursday 7:00-4:00
Friday CALL

Beverly Hills

9012 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Telephone:
(310) 871-9554

Now Accepting Appointments, Opens July 6!

The Beverly Hills office is convenient to Mid-Wilshire, West Hollywood, Hollywood, Beverlywood, Korea Town, Downtown LA, Culver City, Century City, Santa Monica and Malibu.

Map to Fusion Wellness PT Sherman Oaks Location

Hours:

Monday 12:00-5:00
Tuesday CALL
Wednesday CALL
Thursday 7:00-6:00
Friday CALL
Saturday CALL
Sunday CALL

Join Our Mailing List

NOTE: The captcha is NOT case sensitive
captcha 
I agree with the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy policy