When is a Bladder Problem Really a Nerve Problem?

Integrative neurology combines the knowledge of medical neurology (the study of the brain and nerves) with complimentary techniques like acupuncture, chiropractic and herbal therapies.

You might do a double-take when reading about Interstitial Cystitis and Prostatitis in relation to neurology.

These conditions are normally treated by a urology specialist not an integrative neurologist.

Many times, however, no urological cause can be found for interstitial cystitis.

Emerging data suggests that some patients with chronic bladder or prostate pain actually are suffering from a type of pelvic neuropathy.

In those patients whose cystitis or prostatitis is due to pelvic neuropathy, Integrative Neurology techniques like laser or acupuncture can often produce dramatic pain relief.

Research suggests that some patients with cystitis, may have a unique form of bladder inflammation known as neurogenic inflammation.

For this type of inflammation, the usual therapy is most often inadequate.

But this same research suggests that neurogenic inflammation produced by one set of nerves, can often be suppressed by the action of another set of nerves.

These anti-inflammatory nerves are called the descending anti-inflammatory pathway. Stimulating them suppresses inflammation. You might be confused by the complexity of all this, but the take-home message is that sometimes we can stimulate one set of nerves that turn off the inflammation in the pelvic organs caused by over-activity in other, pro-inflammatory nerves. So for women with interstitial cystitis and men with chronic prostatitis that haven't responded well to typical urological treatment, integrative neurology techniques can offer substantial pain relief.

So men suffering from chronic prostatitis and women suffering from interstitial cystitis might want to consult with an Integrative Neurologist as an alternative source of treatment.