Biofeedback is a method of understanding an action that takes place in the body through the use of lights or sounds. Biofeedback can be used in incontinence to help women who are having difficulty in learning to control their pelvic floor muscles. Because pelvic floor muscles do not come neatly labelled, some women have trouble locating these muscles in order to peform Kegel exercises.
Biofeedback is used as a tool to teach you how to isolate and exercise these muscles, which are so important in bladder control. Using sounds and computer graphs, a therapist can help you to exercise the all-important pelvic floor muscles, which can help improve incontinence.
Biofeedback is not painful. During biofeedback, sensors are placed on either side of the anus, as this is where the pelvic floor muscles are closest to the surface. Sensors are also placed on the abdomen because many women use their abdominal muscles instead of their pelvic floor muscles when performing Kegels. A graph and lights and/or sounds will be emitted from the computer attached to the sensors while you are performing Kegels, and you will be able to see clearly when you are using your muscles correctly. Most women require only a few sessions before they are able to perform Kegels effectively and efficiently.
