WHAT IS BIOFEEDBACK?
Biofeedback is a teaching technique with which people are taught to improve their health by using signals from their own body. People use biofeedback in their everyday life without even realizing it. The thermometer is a biofeedback device that provides information about your body. If your temperature is over 98.6 you can take measures to reduce your fever. Health care professionals use very sensitive biofeedback instruments to provide immediate information to patients about their bodily functions. Biofeedback has been used to treat patients with migraine headaches, high blood pressure, and for pain control.
Now, biofeedback is being used in the treatment of bladder control problems and pelvic muscle dysfunction. One type of biofeedback is called electromyography [EMG]. All muscles give off electrical activity that can be measured with EMG. For people with urinary incontinence [uncontrolled loss of urine] or pelvic muscle dysfunction, EMG biofeedback can supply information about the condition of the muscles that control bladder function. Most people are unaware of these muscles and biofeedback is an important tool which can help you understand how to use these muscles work properly.
Special sensors are placed near the pelvic muscles that help in controlling urination. The sensors can be easily placed in the vagina area or anus by yourself. Another set of sensors or electrodes (shaped like small Band-Aids) are placed on the abdomen. The therapist then connects the sensors to a computer. The computer changes the electrical activity of your muscles into a signal that can be seen on the computer screen in the shape bars. The information you receive from the signal can then be used to make adjustments in your muscle activity. The job of the therapist is to coach you in the proper use of the right pelvic muscles. With the aid of the therapist, you will see the signals changing as you contract and relax your muscles. As these changes occur, you will become more aware of the pelvic muscles. You will eventually learn to use these muscles properly without the help of the computer.
Biofeedback has been effective in the treatment of urinary incontinence and pelvic muscle dysfunction in people who are willing and able to assume more responsibility and control of their body. However, the benefits vary from person to person. Biofeedback assists in helping you learn to control your body. There are no side effects. Biofeedback can also be used with other forms of treatment such as medication, bladder training , and before or after surgery.
Therapy sessions may vary. Patients may be seen an average of four to six treatment sessions over a three month period. They may be scheduled weekly and decrease in frequency as improvements occur. Home practice is the key to improvement. It is important to take what is learned in therapy sessions and apply these same exercises and strategies at home.
