Pelvic Floor Therapy
Pelvic Floor Therapy involves the strengthening of the muscles of the pelvic floor, which support the pelvic organs including the bladder. Biofeedback and electrical stimulation are procedures done to help rehabilitate the pelvic muscles, restoring or greatly improving a patient's ability to control their bladder without surgery.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback helps to isolate the muscle groups in the pelvis. A small sensor is placed in the vagina or rectally in males. Additional sensors (similar to the pads placed for EKGs) are placed on the abdomen. These sensors measure the minute electrical signals that all muscles produce when they contract. The sensors are connected to a computer. The patient can therefore see immediately when she is contracting the proper set of muscles and doing the exercise correctly. The computer can also measure the strength of the muscle and follow the progress, as the pelvic floor gets stronger.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation uses a slight current to stimulate a contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. This will assist the patient in identifying muscles that help control incontinence and inhibit bladder spasms. The patient will feel a tingle or pulling sensation with electrical stimulation.
Who is a candidate for Pelvic Floor Therapy?
- Patients with stress, urge or mixed incontinence
- Patients with Pelvic Relaxation (mild to moderate prolapse)
- Patients with frequency, urgency, and sometimes-painful voiding syndromes
- Patients with inability to take medication for incontinence, rather financial or medical basis
- Patients with fecal incontinence
- Medical contraindications to surgery
What does Pelvic Floor Therapy consist of?
- Initial evaluation of pelvic muscles, periodic evaluations for progress
- Patient education and dietary changes
- Bladder Diary
- Electric Stimulation of the pelvic floor musculature
- Pressure and EMG directed pelvic floor exercise with abdominal EMG monitoring
- Home Exercise Plan
What can I expect during a treatment session?
- Review of symptoms and history
- Initial evaluation of pelvic muscles, periodic evaluations of progress
- Biofeedback-directed exercises
- Electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor musculature
- Individualized home exercise plan
- Once a week appointments for 6-8 weeks
- 30-45 minute sessions
- NO PAIN
Are these sessions covered by insurance?
The Department of Health and Human Services published a clinical practical guideline for incontinence, recommending pelvic floor therapy as a first line treatment for stress, urge and mixed incontinence. Since then, most insurance companies cover the cost of treatment. Abilene Regional Medical Center will check with your insurance carrier for approval prior to initializing treatment.
How can I start pelvic floor therapy at Abilene Regional Medical Center?
- Patients must have a physician's order from their primary care physician.
- Once an order is obtained, call scheduling at 428-1CALL and set up an appointment.
- Any questions, please call: 428-1386