What is Biofeedback and Why is it Beneficial?

Biofeedback is the process of electronically monitoring a normally automatic bodily function to train someone to acquire voluntary control of that function. Often patients equate pelvic floor physical therapy to using a biofeedback machine. Maybe they’ve had pelvic floor physical therapy and their session incorporated one. What is biofeedback and can it provide helpful information to treat pelvic floor conditions? Biofeedback is a treatment tool. It helps the patient access and control specific muscles, in this case the pelvic floor. Electrodes are placed externally or internally via a probe. The sensors are hooked to a machine that will report to the patient if muscles are in a contracted or relaxed state. Biofeedback does not give information regarding the strength of a muscle.

The theory behind biofeedback treatment is that weak muscles have limited proprioception - awareness of the position and movement of the body. For some patients, it can be difficult to gauge the state of their muscles in the pelvic floor, if they are contracted or relaxed. When these muscles are weak, the glutes and abdominals often substitute and give inaccurate feedback of the pelvic floor muscle contraction. This means the patient will think they are contracting their pelvic floor but really, they are not. If it is difficult to feel a contraction in these muscles, it will also be difficult to determine how to relax these muscles. By using a biofeedback machine, the patient can isolate the feeling of a pelvic floor contraction and relaxation through visual cueing.

Biofeedback can help treat a variety of pelvic floor conditions. It can be used for down-training – relaxing the state of the muscle.  Down-training is helpful treatment when the pelvic floor muscles are overactive or hypertonic. Usually this is the case for people with pelvic pain or constipation.

Biofeedback can also be used for up-training - when the pelvic floor muscles are underactive or hypotonic. This is sometimes the cause of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. Biofeedback can help a person better understand the state of their pelvic floor. When Biofeedback sensors are placed on a patient, he/she can perform a series of exercises, providing measurable feedback to determine the state of their pelvic floor during these exercises. Biofeedback allows the patient to see exactly what they are doing with muscles that they may not be attuned to feeling.

There are many benefits to biofeedback. It is a tool that can be used for pelvic floor PT. A study in 2006 found using biofeedback was a superior treatment method for treating constipation longer term, compared to use of laxatives. Biofeedback is most effective when used as one of several approaches to treat pelvic floor conditions. It is best used in conjunction with other forms of therapeutic intervention, resulting in a comprehensive treatment plan for the pelvic floor. 

If you feel like biofeedback would be helpful in your treatment, be sure to ask your doctor or physical therapist. Feel free to call us at 929-269-2505 to schedule a free 15 minute consultation to discuss biofeedback and how it may be helpful for you.