Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome Using Alternative Techniques: Exercise, Meditation, Tai Chi

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term for medical products and/or practices that are not part of the current standard of care. Standard care is what medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy and allied health professionals, such as registered nurses and physical therapists, practice. Alternative medicine means treatments that you use instead of standard ones. Complementary medicine means nonstandard treatments that you use along with standard ones. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is any improvement in symptoms reported by patients with chronic painful bladder syndrome when participating in alternative medical therapy/ exercise and meditative techniques. The specific alternative techniques participants will be randomized to in this trial include: Tai Chi instruction or walking exercise combined with sitting meditation.