Download Pelvic Floor Therapy (Biofeedback) - dr

S.M. Stemmer, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.O.G.
807 Haddon Ave. Suite 207
Haddonfield NJ 08033
(856)428-6355
Pelvic Floor Therapy (Biofeedback)
We are pleased to be able to offer this non-surgical therapy to our patients for the treatment
of urinary incontinence, frequency, and overactive bladder.
What is Biofeedback and how is it used?
Biofeedback treatment teaches the skills necessary for people to improve their own health
and well being. It allows the individual the opportunity to regain control over their
physiological functions. Biofeedback is widely used for pain management, relaxation,
anxiety treatment, performance enhancement and urinary problems such as incontinence.
Biofeedback also provides the environment in which poor bladder habits can be broken in
both young and old.
What does Biofeedback involve?
Biofeedback is a non-invasive therapy that does not involve surgery, medication or harmful
side-effects. It is a save, painless method of teaching the body and mind to act in concert
and to allow your body, in this case your bladder, to function at a normal level.
During the Biofeedback session you will be attached to a very sensitive electronic
equipment through the insertion of a probe into your vagina. Through the use of this
equipment you will be able to isolate your pelvic floor muscles and ultimately tone them.
Biofeedback allows you to see the results immediately and helps to make you aware of any
road-blocks toward you goals. Generally, the use of kegels has been prescribed by
physicians for years, however without the feedback of knowing whether you are actually
using and toning the pelvic floor muscles, there is no way to measure success.
What is a session like?
Training is done in 6 sessions of approximately 30 minutes. Your therapist acts as a
training coach, helps you to set realistic goals that are objective and measurable. You will
also be taught techniques that target your specific problems and are designed to help you
reach your goals.
During each session, there is an exercise phase of therapy where you are asked to contract
your pelvic floor muscle. The muscle contraction is shown on the screen and allows you to
see if there is any abdominal muscle movement. Correct contractions are done internally
and you do not involve the use of your abdomen. As you continue to isolate and strengthen
your pelvic floor, you will see improvement in your symptoms.
There is a stimulation phase which allows the same probe to deliver a painless electrical
signal which causes the pelvic floor muscle to contract. This helps you to isolate the correct
muscle group, retain the muscle and to decrease symptoms of an overactive bladder.
Improvement is often seen within 2-4 weeks and continues over many months.
Biofeedback is safe, painless method of teaching each individual how to take back control of
their own body and to synchronize the mind and bladder connection. Please feel free to ask
Dr. Stemmer and his staff for more information.