OK, Lets try again ... Biofeedback Physical Therapy

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I made a post a last week regarding my experience with biofeedback as part of my incontinence physical therapy. I thought I would receive a lot of responses with others experiences with biofeedback ... but only received 5 responses (as of this date). Thank you to those who responded! If others have experience with using biofeedback as part of your PT to improve use of kegal exercises, I would love to hear about it and I am sure other can benefit from this information also.

Thanks!

 

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It was part of my PT. It showed that I was doing the exercises correctly and getting a stronger as I continued doing my kegels.

 

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I had a few appointments with a physiotherapist after my prostatectomy. She used biofeedback with a sensor placed in my anus. This was to ensure I did the pelvic floor exercises correctly. I had to perform a few longer 10 second holds and a few "quick flicks". She was able to measure the strength of the muscles as well. She did measurements when I was lying on my side and also when standing. I hope this is helpful

 

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I went through about 10 sessions. A sensor was placed on each side of my asshole, one on my inner thigh just below the boys, and one on my abdomen. Nothing penetrated. She had me do a series of kegels separately, then in different positions, then with some exercises (light). I watched a computer screen to make sure I was getting the pelvic floor. She recorded measurement and progress. I found it helpful but don't think it will be magic. It still takes time I'm told. I am almost 7 months out and still use 4-5 medium TENA pads a day and getting a little better each month, way better than 6 months ago. I was 7-8 pads a day, soaked. I haven't peed standing up since my surgery. I am somewhat unique in that this was a salvage radical prostatectomy. I had 9 weeks of radiation and 3 years od ADT about 10 years ago. The radiation definitely complicated the surgery and recovery.

 

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I've have (have) PT for hypertonic PF, not RP so, my perspective is different.

The value I gained from PT is becoming aware of my activities that create problems and tools that help reduce the effects. It is a long-course solution and can take months, years, to improve.

The skills (aka tools) are worth it.

 

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I had 6 sessions with my PT using bio-feedback, very helpful in focusing your efforts on the proper muscle group. After each PT session I would have a list of exercises that I would need to perform twice daily for the 2 weeks between sessions.
My Kegel strength made drastic improvements as a result of the process, I am extremely pleased with the results and would recommend this treatment protocol wholeheartedly. But you have to be willing to put in the effort to perform your exercises each and everyday for the balance of your existence as I understand it.
It's worth it and don't slack off.

Good luck!

 

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I had sessions with my PT 2 before surgery followed by every r to weeks for 4 months after surgery. My exercises got progressively harder as time passed. About every 6 weeks I had my bio feedback session. My PT has a small ultrasound device that plugs into his tablet. He would have me do my exercise routine with the device resting just behind the twins. He was able to let me see what was going on, describing the fuzzy images and providing correction as needed. I believe this direct feedback while continuing the routine was what I needed to train the right muscles and the right feelings.

I now see the PT as needed and he always does the ultrasound check just to make sure I’m on track. My PT specialises in men’s health and incontinence.

One word of caution, finding the right level to constrict the right muscles is important. I went to hard in the early days, really pulling those muscles, I ended up causing a sciatic nerve problem that took me a while to fix. Just do what the PT says, no more no less.

I measured my improvement by weighing and recording pad weights. Very simple and very effective, I got down to a level that the PT said was more likely to be sweat or error.

It was and still is hard work, but it has now become routine and I don’t need to think, I just do.

 

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Wow, now I’m kind of jealous that I didn’t have sensors, sounds like they’re priceless. My PT put her hands on the front of my hips and/or or my lower abdomen to feel if I was flexing the right muscles. Watching her hands move up or down as I flexed also helped me because I could *see* if I made them move incorrectly. But sensors sound remarkable. @bcarr No matter how you strengthen them, Kegels are a remarkable asset. For instance, prior to doing PT for mine, I would get a sudden, painful urge to pee in the middle of a movie in a movie theater. I’d stand up to go to the bathroom and lose it just by standing up. Now I flex my pelvic floor and hold it until I get to the bathroom. I can usually get by for a few minutes until I leak.

 

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I look forward to those few minutes. I leak as soon as I stand up.

 

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@snow @tommyboy The majority of major leaks for me take place when standing from sitting. A practice that I have recently adopted (not original to me ... I picked it up from others) is to do 5 or 10 quick contractions of the pelvic floor muscles while still sitting and than slowly stand up and stand without moving/walking for a few seconds while maintaining the contraction. Standing while contracting and remaining stationary for a few seconds allows me to capture and control any leaks before I move. This seems to work well most times (not all) and I share this in case you or others might find it helpful.

 

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Thanks. I'll give it a try. I usually stand and beeline to the bathroom, usually leaking the whole way. Many times I'm done by the time I get there.

 

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@bcarr Thank you, yes, that is similar to what I do automatically these days