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The Interstitial Cystitis Solution: A Holistic Plan for Healing Painful Symptoms, Resolving Bladder and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, and Taking Back Your Life
Take control of your interstitial cystitis treatment with this comprehensive guide. Interstitial cystitis (IC), also called painful bladder syndrome, is a complex bladder pain condition that can be confusing, frustrating, and debilitating. Successful treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach that often features a combination of medication, physical therapy, dietary and lifestyle changes, alternative medicine, and more. The Interstitial Cystitis Solution has all the information you need, all in one place. It provides scientific reviews and evaluations of potential treatments , along with a helpful treatment plan tailored to your specific symptoms and lifestyle . Written by leading IC expert Nicole Cozean, DPT, PT, WCS, the information is presented in an accessible way, with real-life examples from the author, who has treated hundreds of patients who have found relief from their symptoms with the holistic treatment plan outlined in this book. This comprehensive guide allows you to take control of your healing and will restore sanity to the insane world of conflicting diagnoses, treatments, and advice.
Also included are
Thousands of patients with IC live healthy, pain-free lives—and so can you!
Also included are
Thousands of patients with IC live healthy, pain-free lives—and so can you!
- GenresNonfictionHealth
208 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2016
191 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 27, 2021
I like the authors' common sense attitude and multidisciplinary approach to dealing with Interstitial Cystitis.
August 17, 2019
As is often the case with me, I had to return the book to the library before being able to finish reading it.
It was quite easy to read, there being short chapters laid out in such a way that one can easily get an overview of their content and including diagrams and patient stories.
I.C. is not a disease well understood by the medical profession, and it may be difficult to get a diagnosis, if at all.
According to the author, symptoms of I.C. which is found in both sexes, are divided into urinary symptoms and pain symptoms.
Urinary symptoms are increased frequency of urination, urgency of urination, nocturia (urgent and frequent urination that occurs at night), decreased urine flow, incomplete voiding of the bladder, bladder pressure and incontinence.
Pain symptoms consist of suprapubic pain (pain a few inches below the belly button and directly above the bladder), bladder or urethral pain, pain or burning related to urination, pelvic pain, lower back, hip, groin or tailbone pain and pain with sex.
Common triggers include;
1) changes in diet
2) changes in hormone levels during the monthly menstrual cycle
3) intensive exercise
4) prolonged sitting
5) sexual intercourse
6) stress
Symptoms of I.C. vary widely from patient to patient.
There is a link between I.C. and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The book contains a chapter discussing the cause of I.C., which is unknown; or it can have one of several causes.
Researchers have discovered a correlation between pelvic surgery and I.C.
I.C. is chronically underdiagnosed.
There is a chapter on the pelvic floor connection – it’s not just the bladder. Many “bladder” symptoms actually emanate from the pelvic floor. “Complete recovery from I.C. is impossible without addressing the pelvic floor.”
Section Two discusses treatments and therapies. It is stated that a holistic approach to treatment gives the best results.
Section Three is entitled “The three stages of recovery: your action plan”.
I am awarding the book three stars and not more since there are several factors that are not included.
Catherine Simone is a former I.C. patient who has cured herself of this invalidating disease: she has penned three books about how she did this, which I have read and reviewed. She informs us that I.C. is a whole body disease, also affecting the gums and giving some of us other symptoms. For example. A stomach ulcer, symptoms of which I have, is one potential symptom.
I would recommend that I.C. sufferers read Catherine Simone’s books which impart valuable advice about useful herbs and much more. She also tells us of the invaluable relief provided by marshmallow root tea, which I for one couldn’t do without.
Also, Medical medium Anthony William advises us to drink undiluted celery stalk juice which he claims will help in general against health problems and specifically I.C. Celery stalk juice undiluted and taken alone with nothing added whatsoever should be taken on an empty stomach every day. You can begin gradually but at least 16 oz a day will be necessary to have an optimal effect. Read his newest book entitled simply “Celery Juice”. (Read my review of the book, if you like.) At the same time you will need to avoid several foodstuffs: Canola oil, dairy products, eggs, gluten, corn, soy, pork products, nutritional yeast, “natural flavours”, vinegar and fermented foods.
Good luck with your efforts to overcome this particularly unpleasant disease!
It was quite easy to read, there being short chapters laid out in such a way that one can easily get an overview of their content and including diagrams and patient stories.
I.C. is not a disease well understood by the medical profession, and it may be difficult to get a diagnosis, if at all.
According to the author, symptoms of I.C. which is found in both sexes, are divided into urinary symptoms and pain symptoms.
Urinary symptoms are increased frequency of urination, urgency of urination, nocturia (urgent and frequent urination that occurs at night), decreased urine flow, incomplete voiding of the bladder, bladder pressure and incontinence.
Pain symptoms consist of suprapubic pain (pain a few inches below the belly button and directly above the bladder), bladder or urethral pain, pain or burning related to urination, pelvic pain, lower back, hip, groin or tailbone pain and pain with sex.
Common triggers include;
1) changes in diet
2) changes in hormone levels during the monthly menstrual cycle
3) intensive exercise
4) prolonged sitting
5) sexual intercourse
6) stress
Symptoms of I.C. vary widely from patient to patient.
There is a link between I.C. and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The book contains a chapter discussing the cause of I.C., which is unknown; or it can have one of several causes.
Researchers have discovered a correlation between pelvic surgery and I.C.
I.C. is chronically underdiagnosed.
There is a chapter on the pelvic floor connection – it’s not just the bladder. Many “bladder” symptoms actually emanate from the pelvic floor. “Complete recovery from I.C. is impossible without addressing the pelvic floor.”
Section Two discusses treatments and therapies. It is stated that a holistic approach to treatment gives the best results.
Section Three is entitled “The three stages of recovery: your action plan”.
I am awarding the book three stars and not more since there are several factors that are not included.
Catherine Simone is a former I.C. patient who has cured herself of this invalidating disease: she has penned three books about how she did this, which I have read and reviewed. She informs us that I.C. is a whole body disease, also affecting the gums and giving some of us other symptoms. For example. A stomach ulcer, symptoms of which I have, is one potential symptom.
I would recommend that I.C. sufferers read Catherine Simone’s books which impart valuable advice about useful herbs and much more. She also tells us of the invaluable relief provided by marshmallow root tea, which I for one couldn’t do without.
Also, Medical medium Anthony William advises us to drink undiluted celery stalk juice which he claims will help in general against health problems and specifically I.C. Celery stalk juice undiluted and taken alone with nothing added whatsoever should be taken on an empty stomach every day. You can begin gradually but at least 16 oz a day will be necessary to have an optimal effect. Read his newest book entitled simply “Celery Juice”. (Read my review of the book, if you like.) At the same time you will need to avoid several foodstuffs: Canola oil, dairy products, eggs, gluten, corn, soy, pork products, nutritional yeast, “natural flavours”, vinegar and fermented foods.
Good luck with your efforts to overcome this particularly unpleasant disease!
July 22, 2022
As a sufferer of IC or CPPS (Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome) for over 20 years, this is probably the most comprehensive book on the subject that I have seen. Most urologists will not even acknowledge or entertain the IC complaints of their patients, and many people are left in a state of limbo of nowhere to turn and are left in a physical and mental purgatory with no escape. This book outlines new approaches in terms of diagnoses and treatment protocols with an excellent reference and resource list of treatment centers. This book could have done a better job in differentiating between BPH and IC as the symptoms are almost identical, but the causes are very different requiring different protocols. However, this is a very hopeful book which I would highly recommend.
April 17, 2020
Good information. Filled in some gaps for me, as I have been living with this for over 30 years. Some new information. Delicate material handled professionally. Will share with others who suffer from IC.
December 6, 2018
Contains a lot of useful information, and I appreciated that the stretches were included in detail, the reason for each pose, etc. There's no way I could afford a physical therapist, since my insurance co-pay would be $60 a session, costs would rapidly add up. It wouldn't make sense for me to have one therapy session and then tell them I'm quitting because I can't afford to go again. What a waste of everyone's time. Anyway, I'd highly recommend this book.
October 16, 2025
Audiobook - Extremely thorough and digestible! I would recommend this to pelvic health providers and individuals with IC both! While it’s focused on one specific diagnosis, the information in this book provides a good overall pelvic health review.
June 21, 2020
Everyone with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome—whether male or female, newly diagnosed or struggling for years—NEEDS their own personal copy of this book. It is a clear, comprehensive, and compassionate resource. I will be referring to this book again and again as I continue my journey to a better quality of life. I am so grateful that this book exists.
November 18, 2021
I read this as a physical therapist looking for additional resources to share. This book as a lot of great information not only about this condition specifically but also good explanations about pain cycles in general and how the body responds to various treatments. Definitely a worthwhile resource for anyone with pelvic floor issues!
August 6, 2023
This book is an essential read for anyone on the IC journey. There is so much essential information and helpful hints. It is written so anyone can understand it. I wish I had read it at the beginning of my IC struggles.
November 3, 2019
With a rare, incurable disease, everything becomes helpful. Why? Because our Govt.....
January 4, 2021
As a pelvic floor PT, this book is a fabulous resource for patients with IC. I just so happened to get a young lady newly diagnosed with IC while reading it. It was great to apply the concepts in the book to assist her to achieve her goals in only 4 visits.
March 5, 2021
EXCELLENT book on IC. Wish I had it when I was first diagnosed. Very PT-based. Lots of good info.
April 30, 2021
Great overview of history, options, what treatments hold the best promise, and how to find the combination of treatments that work best for your body. Highly recommend.
June 9, 2021
Great overview of diagnosis for patients and medical providers who may be unfamiliar.
January 10, 2023
This is hard to rate as I read it for educational purposes and in most aspects it's was enlightening. However, there was a lot about the USA that just wasn't useful to me.
September 2, 2023
good info
This is Really good information. I ordered as an audio book and bought it for reference. It gives me hope.
This is Really good information. I ordered as an audio book and bought it for reference. It gives me hope.
January 5, 2024
The best book on IC I've found. Provides evidence, debunks snake oil, and gives practical advice for dealing with the everyday issues of living with IC.
September 23, 2024
This book has so much information in it for IC. It seems pretty up to date on research and it’s given me so many ideas for things to try.
August 31, 2025
Such a helpful book if you struggle with symptoms of interstitial cystitis. I especially loved the self-care section—it was life-changing and restorative!
October 19, 2024
Read as a pelvic physical therapist - this is a helpful guide to guiding patients through the condition and a good way to feel like you have a fairly decent grasp of the issue and treatment options.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews