August 22 2006 (6PM PST, 9PM EST) free on-line lecture

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Received from the ICN

- Are you confused about the relationship between IC & pelvic floor dysfunction?
- Do you struggle or strain to urinate?
- Are pelvic floor spasms interfering with your ability to enjoy sex??
- Curious about how a pelvic floor assessment is done??
- Do you believe that Kegel exercises are the best way to treat PFD tension? (They are the worst thing you can do!)
- Are you looking for ideas that you can do at home?

When: JOIN US THIS WEEK! Tuesday, August 22, 2006 (6PM PST, 9PM EST) for a free, on-line lecture
Who: Elizabeth "Isa" Herrera, PT, RENEW Physical Therapy (New York, NY)
Topic: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and Interstitial Cystitis
Where: http://www.2006icpatientconference.com/auditorium.html

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(From ICN President Jill Osborne) True Story! An IC patient in California called the ICN office for help. She said that she had tried and failed every therapy and her doctor suggested bladder removal. She was naturally upset and confused. However, before taking that major step, her physician asked her to go to a major IC research center for a second opinion. Good move! The IC expert performed a basic examination and found her bladder to be a good shape, certainly not requiring any major surgery much less removal. However, when he examined her pelvic floor muscles, he found the answer. Her "IC" symptoms were actually the result of pelvic floor dysfunction with muscles so tight that she could barely move comfortably or urinate easily. She embarked upon an aggressive pelvic floor physical therapy program that has helped dramatically.

In the past ten years, we've learned that most IC patients do struggle with varying levels of pelvic floor tension. It's a bit like the chicken and the egg argument. Which comes first?? Some IC patients may first develop bladder irritation and pain (i.e. from diet or a cup of coffee) that then causes the muscles to tighten or spasm. Other patients may notice that their symptoms begin after a muscle trauma or injury, such as a fall or childbirth. In his lecture earlier in this series, Dr. Christopher Jayne reported that 90% of the patients struggling with pain related to sex have tight, painful pelvic floor muscles. Dr. Dan Brookoff, in his lecture on pain management, emphasized the importance of using muscle relaxants, such as vaginal valium suppositories. A classic symptom of PFD is an inability to start your urine stream quickly.

The good news is that pelvic floor dysfunction is treatable. The Clinical Director of Renew Physical Therapy (NYC, NY), Isa Hererra specializes in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and pelvic pain disorders. She will provide a practical description of PFD symptoms, how she assesses and treats patients and, most importantly, will review strategies that you can perform at home to help you manage your PFD. This is a must attend for all IC patients! To ignore the muscles while only treating the bladder could dramatically delay your progress or result in unnecessary surgical procedures.

Isa will, of course, be available for questions from the audience! The Conference Auditorium will be opened 45 minutes before the presentation. Get there early to save your spot! I look forward to seeing you! - Jill Osborne, ICN President

CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPTS NOW AVAILABLE
Dr. Christopher Jayne on Intimacy & IC
Dr. Dan Brookoff on Practical Pain Management For IC
Gaye Sandler on Exercise and IC
Dr. Matt Rosenberg on Early Diagnosis and Treatment of IC
Heather Van Vorous on IBS and IC
http://www.2006icpatientconference.com/transcripts.html

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Isa treated me with the SP for around a year two years ago and made a big difference in my recovery, she was certainly physically competent and sympathetic to my needs as a chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome sufferer and seemed to understand the pelvic myo-neuropathy theory well.