Biofeedback

BIOFEEDBACK IS A TYPE OF THERAPY WHERE THE PATIENT IS PROVIDED WITH REAL TIME FEEDBACK, TO RE-EDUCATE THE NERVOUS AND MUSCULAR SYSTEM. THERE ARE MULTIPLE TYPES OF BIOFEEDBACK TOOLS INCLUDING ULTRASOUND IMAGING, VOLUME BIOFEEDBACK, ELECTRICAL BIOFEEDBACK AND PRESSURE BIOFEEDBACK.

Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging

  • Ultrasound imaging, particularly Real-Time Ultrasound (RTUS), plays a valuable role in pelvic floor physical therapy by offering immediate feedback to both patients and therapists. It helps evaluate and diagnose the function of pelvic floor and core muscles, providing visual guidance throughout treatment. RTUS is used to assess and address various pelvic health conditions, including urinary incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain, and low back or pelvic girdle pain. It is particularly useful for strengthening pelvic floor muscles, relaxing them, and improving the synergy between the pelvic floor and core muscles.
  • The real-time feedback provided by RTUS allows therapists to observe how well pelvic floor muscles contract or relax, as well as how they coordinate with the core and postural muscles. This insight helps tailor treatment to address specific issues, such as Diastasis Recti, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or difficulty with urination. As patients become more aware of their muscle function, the need for RTUS decreases, allowing them to regain functional control of their pelvic floor and core muscles for improved health and symptom management.
  • For more information view our blog:

  • https://bodyharmonypt.com/real-time-ultrasound/


Volume Biofeedback

  • Rectal balloon testing is a volume biofeedback therapy used to assess and improve bowel function for conditions like constipation, fecal incontinence, fecal urgency, and fecal smearing. During the test, a deflated balloon catheter is inserted into the rectum and gradually inflated to measure the rectum’s sensitivity to pressure and the sensation of fecal urgency. This provides objective data on how well the rectum responds to stimuli, helping identify issues like low or high rectal sensitivity. Low sensitivity may mean a person cannot feel stool in the rectum, while high sensitivity may cause an exaggerated urge to defecate even with little stool.
  • The information gathered through rectal balloon testing helps physical therapists understand the sensitivity of the rectum and how it correlates with symptoms, allowing for targeted treatment to improve bowel function. This technique is used to address a range of conditions, including constipation, fecal incontinence, and bowel dysfunction following childbirth or sphincter injuries. 
  • For more information visit our blog:

  • https://bodyharmonypt.com/rectal-balloon-training/

Electrical Biofeedback

  • Electrical biofeedback is a non-invasive therapeutic technique that uses visual and auditory cues to provide real-time feedback on muscle activity, helping patients improve muscle function, strength, and control. By detecting small electrical signals (electromyographic or EMG signals) from the muscles, biofeedback offers insight into unconscious physiological processes, such as pelvic floor muscle activity. This information is displayed on a computer screen, allowing the patient to visually track muscle function and receive immediate feedback. With guidance from verbal and visual cues, patients can learn to adjust their muscle activity, improving their ability to control and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
  • Surface electromyography (sEMG) is commonly used in pelvic floor therapy to address a variety of conditions, such as hypertonic pelvic floor, constipation, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and prolapse. By providing objective data on muscle activity, sEMG enables patients and therapists to pinpoint areas of dysfunction and track progress over time. This targeted approach allows for more effective rehabilitation, helping patients develop better muscle awareness and control, ultimately leading to improved pelvic floor function and symptom relief.

Pressure Biofeedback

  • This advanced biofeedback system is specifically designed to enhance the precision and effectiveness of neck and lower back muscle training, playing a pivotal role in both the prevention and treatment of back and neck pain. It is also a valuable tool for improving core stability, promoting optimal posture, and supporting long-term musculoskeletal health.
  • In addition, this biofeedback provides essential feedback on whether they are successfully isolating and maintaining a contraction in the cervical (neck) or lumbopelvic (lower back and pelvis) muscle groups. This personalized, data-driven approach empowers patients to refine their muscle control and coordination, facilitating more effective rehabilitation, enhancing strength, and promoting greater stability throughout the spine.