One of the true breakthroughs in IC treatment came when doctors began to describe muscles as tight as "tight rubber bands" in the pelvic floor of IC patients. As you can imagine, a tight muscle can cramp, spasm and create tremendous pain and discomfort. Muscle tension often results after periods of pain and discomfort and this is certainly very true in the more than 80% of IC patients who are believed to have pelvic floor dysfunction.

When physical therapists became involved in IC clinics and developed new methods to relax the pelvic floor, many IC patients found relief for the first time. Learning to recognize and treat pelvic floor tension is a vital part of most IC treatment protocols.

We are delighted to carry several excellent CD's that can help you reduce muscle tension, especially the newest Guided Imagery for Relaxation CD from Beaumont Hospital. This is important and, best of all, you can do these from the comfort of your home. - Jill Osborne, ICN Founder