Biofeedback
Pelvic Floor Biofeedback
You may have heard the term “biofeedback” before,
but you may not know what it actually is, and you
may not know that it can be used for treating a variety
of pelvic floor dysfunctions.
Biofeedback is a form of treatment used for many
conditions including headaches, rapid heart rate, high
blood pressure, and incontinence. The technique
converts body functioning into feedback you receive
from a machine to train you to control certain functions
in your body. Biofeedback is done in a clinical office
and a small probe is placed in the vagina (women) or rectum (men). The probe senses what your muscles are doing and sends a signal to a sophisticated data base, which converts the information to a visual on a computer screen. The display on the screen presents in 3D in the form of bars or a flower that opens and closes as you squeeze your pelvic floor muscles. This visual, along with the data collected from that activity, is used to assess how your pelvic muscles are performing. By watching the display you will learn how to do the pelvic floor exercises correctly. Sometimes an audio output is used to help you determine when to start and stop the exercises. This treatment is always performed by a licensed heathcare professional and a physician's order is required.
With the use of biofeedback, you can learn how to correctly do pelvic floor exercises that will strengthen your entire pelvic area. These exercises can sound simple, but without biofeedback or a physical examination to determine that you are working the right muscles, many people don't perform pelvic floor exercises correctly. Some people say they’ve been doing the exercises of "Kegels" for years with no results. But once they try biofeedback, they suddenly see an increase in their level of pelvic floor health. This can mean improved sexual function, decreased or eliminated incontinence and less pelvic pain.
When you get biofeedback treatments, you will probably be asked to attend regularly scheduled sessions for a number of weeks. You might not see immediate results, but don’t let that deter you from returning. As with any muscle training program, it takes time and commitment. You may also be asked to do “homework” by practicing your pelvic exercises on a daily basis, or by using a home training device in conjunction with a pelvic fitness progam programmed for your individual situation.
Biofeedback treatment works! It's an alternative to surgical procedures and unecessary medication. It's a treatment usually covered by insurance for reimbursement.
Talk to your doctor to ask if biofeedback is an option for you.
Call today for a consultation
978-869-3352
caring for the inner workings of your body
Robin Howe, BSN RN
Continence Nurse Specialist
