Sometimes eliminating irritating food and beverages from the diet—such as tomatoes, coffee, spices and acidic foods—reduces symptoms of IC. Nonmedicinal approaches to relief include gentle stretching exercises and bladder training. Bladder training involves working with a health care professional to plan specific times at which to urinate and then using relaxation techniques and distractions to stick to the schedule. Patients keep a diary and over time try to extend the time between scheduled urinations.Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a relatively inexpensive treatment that uses mild electrical pulses to relieve pain and reduce frequency of urination. The pulses are administered through wires on the lower back or above the pubic area, although some devices are inserted into the vagina or rectum (in men). Scientists believe TENS works to relieve IC by increasing blood flow to the bladder and triggering pain-relieving substances.