What Is Biofeedback for Pelvic Floor Muscle Retraining?
Biofeedback for pelvic floor muscle retraining is a treatment to help patients learn to strengthen or relax their pelvic floor muscles in order to improve bowel or bladder function and decrease some types of pelvic floor pain. It is a painless process that uses special sensors and a computer monitor to display information about muscle activity. This information or "feedback" is used to gain sensitivity, and with practice, control over pelvic floor muscle function. An important part of pelvic floor biofeedback therapy is consistent practice of the pelvic floor muscle exercises at home. With biofeedback, an individual can learn to stop using the incorrect muscles and start using the correct ones.
Who Can Benefit?
Conditions that can be improved with pelvic muscle retraining include: accidental bowel leakage (ABL), urinary incontinence, constipation that involves difficult or painful evacuation and some types of pelvic floor pain.
How Is Biofeedback Performed?
Biofeedback is done in an office setting with a registered nurse who is specially trained in this type of therapy. During the session you will be sitting in a comfortable chair in your regular clothes. Two sensors are used. One is placed on the abdomen and another small sensor is placed in the anal canal. These sensors are designed to measure the electrical activity of the muscles that control bowel and bladder functions. As you tighten or relax the muscles, changes are seen on the computer monitor. Visualizing this information with the aid of the nurse, helps you to identify the correct muscles and learn to make changes that are needed.
A session usually lasts one hour. Initially a series of four weekly sessions are scheduled. More sessions are scheduled if needed. During the initial session the intake questionnaire and bowel diary are reviewed. An assessment of lifestyle factors is completed. At the end of the session you will be given instructions for your home exercise program. Other recommendations regarding diet, fluid and exercise may be made in order for you to achieve the best results. Your active participation is very important to your success.
How Do I Know if Biofeedback Is the Right Treatment for Me?
It is important to consult with a qualified physician when considering treatment options. A thorough assessment of the muscles and nerves in the pelvic floor needs to be done. One or more of a variety of diagnostic tests may be necessary. Biofeedback may be a treatment recommended as a result of the evaluation.
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If you choose to complete the necessary paperwork in the office, you must arrive 20 minutes early. If the paperwork delays your appointment start time, we may need to see other patients before you.
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If a patient arrives late or does not have their paperwork completed at the scheduled appointment time, the appointment may be rescheduled. This is to ensure that the patients who arrive on time do not experience delayed waits to see their provider. If you arrive late, you may be given the option to wait to be seen at the end of the provider's clinic or you may be asked to reschedule. If you choose to wait, we will try to minimize your wait time as best as possible, however we need to provide timely care to our other patients as well.