By Jill H. Osborne MA, ICN President (June 19, 2014) It might surprise you to learn that anxiety is a strongly related condition to IC and pelvic pain. It was the human genome project which made the connection. Researchers trying to determine which section of the human genome correlated with anxiety discovered that a large, [...]
With summer quickly approaching, interstitial cystitis patients are asking "Is it safe to swim?" The answer is complex. Swimming is an ideal exercise for patients struggling with chronic bladder or pelvic pain. It's gentle, non weight-bearing and minimizes trauma to the pelvic floor. Sounds great, right? The challenge, unfortunately, are the chemicals (specifically the chlorine [...]
If commuting or taking long car rides exacerbates your bladder or pelvic pain symptoms, you are not alone. The first epidemiological studies on IC found that 50% of patients reported pain and discomfort while sitting in a car.(1) The vibration from bumpy roads, as well as constant starts and stops, are jarring to the bladder [...]
A Physical therapist shares her favorite self-help strategies for patients with bladder or pelvic pain (Editors Note: When physical therapist Mary Ruth Velicki was diagnosed with IC, she endured the same pelvic pain, frustration and anger that most IC patients struggle with. In this new article, she shares some of her favorite tips that helped [...]
How A 17 Year Old Can Teach Us All How To Live Despite The Presence of Illness and Pain If you’ve never heard of Sam Berns, you’ve missed an amazing young man. Sam was one of the most inspirational role models for children and adults suffering with a challenging medical condition, in his case progeria. [...]
