Relief for Chronic Pelvic Pain, Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Painful Bladder Symptoms

Relief for Chronic pelvic pain (CPP), Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and painful bladder symptoms can be achieved with several of the procedures used to treat pain on the neurologic and musculoskeletal system.

Like non-gastric abdominal and non-cardiac chest pain, chronic pelvic, bladder and interstitial cystitis pain can have neurologic and musculoskeletal factors that contribute to chronic pain. These factors are not always obvious and may be present in addition to other more traditional sources.

For example, a patient with frequent urinary tract, bladder or prostate infections would expect to have pain associated with the infection. They may not be aware however that low back pain, an injury in the pelvis, or pubic region, or even an old ankle fracture may cause the nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments that interact with those structures to increase chronic pelvic pain, interstitial cystitis, and painful bladder symptoms.

When pain from the neurologic and musculoskeletal systems increase pain in an internal organ, or when they refer pain to an internal organ, it is called Somato-Visceral pain (neuro, musculoskeletal- internal organ pain). Many people understand that crushing pain in the chest and left arm is a sign of a heart attack, or that pain in the sternum may actually be coming from gastric reflux. Relief for Chronic Pelvic Pain, Interstitial Cystitis & Painful Bladder Symptoms

Links: Piedmont Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Somato-Visceral Pain

Chronic Pelvic Pain

It is not as commonly known however that the nerves, tendons, muscles and ligaments can also increase pain into the internal organs. A nerve root irritation at L5, a facet syndrome in the spine at T12, a pulled tendon in the thigh or knee, and a strained ligament in the ankle are just a few examples of structures outside of the organs that can cause pelvic, bladder and interstitial cystitis pain.

In addition to the neurologic and musculoskeletal systems it is often a good idea to evaluate the immune, vascular and hormonal systems. None of these operate in isolation and sometimes it is necessary to address more then one aspect to help the body get back onto a healing path.

Fortunately these are all treatable conditions. Furthermore, by coordinating care with other doctors who may be treating the internal organs outcomes can also be enhanced. While one can never guarantee that treating any one, or all, of these conditions will cure chronic pelvic, bladder or interstitial cystitis pain at Piedmont Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, P.A. we have enjoyed excellent success in getting relief.

When treating the internal organ alone is not enough then a close look for somato-visceral aspects can be well worth the effort.

Autonomic Innervation of the Bladder Musculoskeletal Pain Referred to the Pelvis