Founded in 1984, the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) is a not-for-profit health organization dedicated to providing advocacy, research funding, and education to ensure optimal care with dignity for people affected by IC. The ICA works internationally on behalf of all IC patients:
Therapists that you can contact regarding Interstitial Cystitis Marilyn Freedman PT Essential Physical Therapy 8 Bond Street Ste 202 Great Neck NY 11021 www.essentialphysicaltherapy.com
Gina Palma Holland or
Diane K. Hartley, PT RCMT 6613 49th St. N. Pinellas Park FL 33781 727 527 2100 727 521 3710 fax
Tracey Adler, MS PT OCS, 2000 Bremo Rd #202 Richmond VA 23226 804 285 0148 804-673 6026-fax www.orthopedicptinc.com Partnership in Therapy
– Pamela Downey PT Mary Lou Cokl PT 1500 Monza Ave #350 Coral Gables FL 53146 305 666 3232
Rhonda Kotarinos Physical Therapy Ltd 17W300 22nd Street, Ste. 240 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Tel: 630.617.5834
The Interstitial Cystitis Association 100 Park Avenue, Suite 108A, Rockville, MD 20850 301-610-5300 / 301-610-5308 fax www.ichelp.org Contact: the ICA at email / 800-435-7422 / 301-610-5308 fax /
About Interstitial Cystitis Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder wall. The etiology is unknown and there are no uniformly effective treatments. Symptoms are similar to an acute urinary tract infection, and include pelvic pain, urinary urgency and urinary frequency. However, urine cultures are negative and patients do not respond to antibiotics.
Epidemiological studies reveal that it takes, on average, five to seven years to obtain an accurate diagnosis of IC and that IC patients score worse on quality of life measures than patients with end stage renal disease on dialysis. Without adequate intervention, patients can experience severe pelvic pain and the need to void as often as every 10 to 15 minutes both day and night. Some patients are housebound, and many are unable to work or care for their families. Intractable pain has resulted in suicides each year because patients are left to live with severe, debilitating pain and have nowhere to turn to for help.
About the Interstitial Cystitis Association The ICA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984. Since its inception, the ICA has functioned as an international support center for IC sufferers and an educational force within the medical community and the government. The ICA is dedicated to helping millions of IC sufferers worldwide. As with most chronic diseases, medical intervention is only part of the solution. Patients who have accurate up-to-date information, peer and family support, and who actively participate in their own treatment, as well as advocacy for funding and research, become vital partners in their own health management. The ICA keeps constituents abreast of advances in the field via a weeky e-newsletter, quarterly consumer magazine (ICA Update), robust website and online presence, and educational materials. The ICA’s mission is conquer IC and change lives.
For more information email , visit www.ichelp.org, or call 800-435-7422
We are not licensed medical professionals and can not offer medical advice. Speak with your specialist or primary care doctor. Best of health to you!