What Is Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder Pain Syndrome)?
IC/BPS is a chronic condition that causes pain or discomfort in the bladder and surrounding pelvic region. It’s often marked by:
Frequent urination
Urgent need to void (even when the bladder isn’t full)
Pain during or after urination
Pelvic pain, especially around the bladder or urethra
Although it’s long been considered a “bladder issue,” research and clinical practice now reveal a deeper truth: in many people, the pelvic floor and nervous system play a central role in ongoing symptoms.
Jilly Bond, PT, a UK-based expert in pelvic pain, offers a groundbreaking lens through which to view IC:
“The bladder is often innocent. It’s not inflamed or broken—it’s just become the focus of a very protective nervous system.”
According to Jilly, IC is less about what’s happening in the bladder, and more about how the pelvic floor muscles and the central nervous system are interpreting bladder signals. She explains that in chronic pain states, the nervous system becomes hyper-vigilant, misinterpreting normal signals as threats.
Her approach involves calming the nervous system, reducing fear, and restoring trust in the body. This aligns perfectly with how we deliver pelvic floor therapy in Bethesda—by looking beyond the organ and treating the whole person.
The Role of Pelvic Floor Therapy in IC Treatment
Many people with IC develop tight, guarded pelvic floor muscles in response to pain or inflammation. Over time, these muscles can contribute to:
Increased sensitivity and pain
Pressure and burning in the bladder area
Difficulty fully relaxing during urination or intimacy
Our pelvic floor therapy program addresses these dysfunctions through:
Manual therapy to release trigger points and tight muscles
Nervous system regulation techniques, like breathwork and pacing
Bladder retraining to improve urgency and frequency
Education about pain science, so symptoms feel less frightening and more manageable
We treat IC not just as a physical condition, but as a neuro-muscular pain syndrome, rooted in both tissue and the brain’s perception of threat.
Our team offers expert interstitial cystitis therapy in Bethesda, with patients traveling from across DC and the metro area for our personalized pelvic floor care. If you’ve been told there’s nothing more that can be done, or if you feel like your symptoms are being dismissed, know this: you deserve care that sees and hears your full story.