Better Q's for Bladder Pain Syndrome: Episode 126 with Michelle Lyons

Hello & welcome to today's episode where I'm doing a solo episode on doing a better subjective symptoms assessment for your clients with Bladder Pain Syndrome (formerly known as IC)This is often an intimidating diagnosis for both clinicians and the women we serve - I want to expand our understanding of phenotypes, how to identify them and how we can direct our treatment strategies, local, regional and global, for better outcomesI'm updating the relevant research in the modules of my online Female Pelvic Pain Rehab course - endometriosis and vulvodynia have already had their glow ups - and now its the turn of bladder pain syndromeIn this episode of the podcast, I want to start to explore the questions that might lead us to figuring out how best to help women with BPS - before we go near someone's pelvis.We know that bladder pain is complex and often involves multiple contributing factors beyond just the bladder, I also introduce the concept of a "capacity compass" to help clinicians understand what is contributing to a patient's sensitivity and where we can help to create more capacity for healing. I want to highlight the importance of asking better questions during the subjective interview to identify the specific phenotype and direct treatment strategies effectively. Some of the possible confounders and contributors include endometriosis, GSM, bowel issues, the nervous system, sleep, stress, someone's surgical AND psychosocial history and of course, pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.I cannot overstate the importance of understanding both physical and nervous system explanations when addressing bladder pain syndrome, the need to consider how these systems interact and building our therapeutic alliance and TRUST between clinician and client.For a deeper dive into all of this - it's covered in the updated section on bladder pain syndrome in my online course, Female Pelvic Pain Rehab. If you're already enrolled - you'll have automatic access - and if you'd like to join us - all of the course details are available at CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards Mx #celebratemuliebrity