“Supporting your bladder, your body, and your peace of mind.”
Interstitial Cystitis (IC), also called Bladder Pain Syndrome, is a chronic condition characterized by pelvic pain, urinary urgency, frequency, or pressure in the bladder that often doesn’t respond to standard treatments for urinary tract infections. While its exact cause is not fully understood, research shows that IC involves complex interactions between the bladder, pelvic floor muscles, and nervous system.
Unfortunately, many people with bladder pain are misdiagnosed or told their symptoms are only related to the bladder itself. In reality, “IC often develops alongside other contributing factors, such as pelvic floor muscle tension, scar tissue, or visceral restrictions in the lower abdomen. For some patients, broader systemic factors such as chronic inflammation or immune dysregulation may also play a role.
At Sarton Physical Therapy, we recognize that IC is rarely a “one factor” condition. Our role is to identify the musculoskeletal and fascial drivers of your pain, while working collaboratively with your larger care team to ensure that every piece of the puzzle is addressed.
There is no single cause of Interstitial Cystitis (IC). Instead, it is understood as a condition with multiple overlapping contributors. Some of the most common include:
Because IC rarely comes from just one source, it is best managed through a comprehensive approach. At PelvicHealing, we focus on the pelvic floor and abdominal components while also considering lifestyle, stress, and systemic factors in collaboration with your wider healthcare team.
At Sarton Physical Therapy, our evaluation goes beyond your bladder symptoms. We take a thorough history and perform a detailed pelvic floor and abdominal assessment to identify muscular, fascial, and visceral restrictions that may be perpetuating bladder pain or pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). We collaborate with your physician and other specialists as needed, ensuring you receive a well-rounded plan of care.
By identifying the true drivers of your symptoms—whether muscle tension, scar tissue, or inflammatory triggers—we can help reduce pain, restore normal bladder mechanics, and give you tools for long-term management.
At Sarton Physical Therapy, we focus on relieving the muscle tension, scar tissue, and nerve irritation that often contribute to Interstitial Cystitis symptoms. By restoring mobility and calming overactive pelvic floor muscles, we help reduce pain, improve bladder function, and support long-term healing.
“I have IC and struggle with PFD so I was skeptical going into my first meeting because I didn’t know how much PFT could really help. I was SO wrong. I came in not even being able to sleep on my side without pain and within a month I was able to sleep normally again. Mandy is literally my savior! She’s so kind and attentive. I always feel like I’m in good hands. She’s never too rough and is so communicative. She really educates her patients as well as treating them. She wants to set us up for success.
The office is also amazing, including the front desk employees. They are so kind and make it so easy to make appointments. They really follow covid restrictions which makes me feel safe continuing my care through this time.
I’m moving up to LA but still going to make the drive down because it’s so worth it.
If you’re thinking of making an appointment DO IT! It’s worth the money.”
You deserve answers and relief from your pelvic pain. Our experienced team is here to guide you in reclaiming your confidence and quality of life.