Re-educate your perineum effectively with biofeedback

Pelvic floor health, often overlooked in general discussions about well-being, plays a crucial role in women's quality of life. From childbirth to age-related changes and various surgical procedures, several conditions can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, leading to consequences ranging from urinary incontinence to impacts on sex life. Fortunately, solutions such as pelvic floor rehabilitation, particularly through the use of biofeedback , offer effective solutions to restore the strength and functionality of this area. In this article, we explore the different situations requiring pelvic floor rehabilitation and present biofeedback as an effective and sustainable tool in this process.

Let us recall the conditions which may require perineal rehabilitation

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is crucial in several situations that affect pelvic health and well-being. Whether after childbirth, following pelvic surgeries, or to counter the effects of aging on the pelvic floor muscles, the benefits of this practice are numerous. It aims to strengthen and tone the pelvic floor muscles, for a better quality of life for those who practice it. Let's take a look at the different conditions that may require pelvic floor rehabilitation.

After childbirth:

Pregnancy and childbirth can stretch and weaken the pelvic floor muscles. This can lead to problems such as urinary incontinence, prolapse, pain during intercourse, or decreased sensation. Rehabilitation helps tone and strengthen these muscles.

After certain pelvic surgeries:

Pelvic surgery, such as hysterectomy or prolapse repair, may require pelvic floor rehabilitation to help restore muscle strength and function.

For urinary incontinence:

Weakened pelvic floor muscles can lead to difficulty controlling the bladder. Kegel exercises, for example, can help strengthen these muscles and improve urinary control.

To prevent and treat prolapse :

Pelvic organ prolapse is a prolapse that occurs when the pelvic floor muscles are not strong enough to support the pelvic organs. Rehabilitation can help prevent or treat this condition.

To improve your sex life :

And yes! Toned pelvic floor muscles can increase sexual sensation and satisfaction by improving muscle control. For this reason, it's a good idea to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles!
To prevent age-related problems: With age, the pelvic floor muscles can weaken. Rehabilitation can help prevent incontinence and prolapse problems as you get older.

To prevent age-related problems :

With age, the pelvic floor muscles can weaken. Rehabilitation can help prevent incontinence and prolapse problems as we age.

Also read: What is the difference between a toned and hypertonic perineum? >

Why is biofeedback useful for perineal rehabilitation?

Have you ever heard of biofeedback as a method of pelvic floor rehabilitation ? Yes, no? We'll tell you everything!

First of all, what is biofeedback?

Before we begin to explain how and why biofeedback is extremely useful for re-educating the perineum, we thought it was important to explain in detail what it involves.

Biofeedback, or “biological feedback,” is a rehabilitation technique that uses electronic or computer equipment to measure and provide real-time information about the body's physiological activity.

The equipment used is perineal probes (or perineal rehabilitation probes ), EMG which is a technique that uses surface electrodes placed on the skin around the pelvic region, pressure sensors, applications and video games that guide users through rehabilitation exercises using data collected by the probes or sensors.

This method allows users to gain conscious control over normally automatic and involuntary bodily processes by visualizing or hearing them. This ultimately improves their health.

In pelvic floor rehabilitation, biofeedback focuses specifically on the pelvic floor muscles. This helps patients identify, control, and strengthen these muscles more effectively.

Biofeedback is interesting for the perineum for several reasons

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is essential for maintaining or restoring pelvic health, and biofeedback represents an innovative method for achieving this. This technique, centered on the use of advanced technologies to measure muscle activity, offers a personalized and effective approach. We will explore the principles of biofeedback and discover why it is particularly suited to pelvic floor rehabilitation, emphasizing its multiple benefits.

Improved body awareness: Biofeedback helps patients become aware of their pelvic floor muscle activity. By viewing or hearing real-time signals that reflect the activity of these muscles, individuals learn to identify and control their pelvic floor muscles more effectively.

Targeted Muscle Strengthening: By providing precise feedback on muscle activity, biofeedback allows patients to practice muscle contractions and relaxations in a more targeted manner. This helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

Symptom Reduction: Its use in pelvic floor rehabilitation can also help reduce symptoms of urinary or fecal incontinence and organ prolapse. By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, patients can improve their control over these muscles, which helps better manage these conditions.

Non-invasive technique: This is also a non-invasive method for pelvic floor rehabilitation. This makes it particularly attractive to people who wish to avoid medication or surgery.

Treatment Personalization: This allows for a personalized approach to rehabilitation. Sessions can be adjusted based on the patient's progress. This allows for a tailor-made program that meets the specific needs of each individual.

Improved motivation: The immediate feedback provided by biofeedback can increase patient motivation by allowing them to see progress in real time. This can encourage them to continue their exercises and stay committed to their rehabilitation program.

Recurrence Prevention: By learning how to properly control and strengthen pelvic floor muscles, patients can reduce the risk of future complications related to pelvic floor weakness.

So many advantages that make this technique very interesting for those who wish to re-educate or train their perineum in an effective and lasting way!

Where and how to do a perineum biofeedback session?

To carry out a biofeedback session dedicated to perineal rehabilitation, it is important to follow a few steps and know where to find qualified professionals for this.

Or ?

• Specialized rehabilitation centers: Many rehabilitation centers offer specialized services in pelvic floor rehabilitation, including biofeedback. These centers are equipped with the necessary technology and staff trained in this practice.
• Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy Practices: Some physiotherapists specialize in pelvic health and may offer biofeedback sessions for pelvic floor rehabilitation.
• Hospitals and Clinics: Gynecology, urology, or gastroenterology departments in some hospitals and clinics may also offer biofeedback sessions for their patients requiring perineal rehabilitation.

At a professional

1. Consultation with a specialized professional: It all begins with a consultation with a specialized health professional. They will assess your condition, discuss rehabilitation goals, and explain how biofeedback can help you.
2. Pelvic Floor Assessment: Then the assessment begins! Before beginning biofeedback sessions, an initial assessment of pelvic floor muscle strength and function will be performed. This may include a physical examination and the use of special probes to measure muscle activity.
3. Biofeedback sessions: During a session, sensors are placed around the pelvic or vaginal/anal area (depending on the patient's gender). These sensors record pelvic floor muscle activity and transmit the data to a screen that both the patient and the therapist can see. Based on this information, the patient learns to control and improve the function of their pelvic floor muscles through various exercises.
4. Follow-up and home exercises: In addition to in-office sessions, home exercises may be recommended to reinforce progress. The number of sessions required varies depending on the individual and the desired goals.

At home

It's also entirely possible to practice pelvic floor biofeedback from the comfort of your own home using devices specially designed for this purpose. These innovative devices allow each person to follow a personalized pelvic floor rehabilitation program, guided by precise sensors and an interactive app.

The Périfit perineal strengthening probe

This device allows you to perform Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. It's a true technological gem! It connects to a mobile app to offer an immersive and, above all, very fun biofeedback experience. Designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, this device uses cutting-edge sensors to detect muscle movement, allowing users to visualize their efforts in real time on the app. By transforming Kegel exercises into captivating video games, the Perifit encourages us to practice regularly, a key element for achieving effective results.

The app also offers progress tracking. This gives each user an overview of their progress, helping to motivate them to persevere with their training. Thanks to its intuitive design and innovative approach, this device is an excellent choice for those who want to improve their pelvic floor health without wasting time visiting a healthcare professional.

So you have two types of Perifit probe: the Perifit Plus for standing exercises and the Perifit for lying down or resting exercises, whichever you prefer!

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Comparison of the best devices for strengthening the perineum >

Pelvic floor rehabilitation, essential for pelvic health, therefore benefits greatly from the innovative approach of biofeedback! This personalized method is highly effective in improving quality of life. Accessible through professional sessions or at home with devices like the Périfit, this technique strengthens muscle control, reduces symptoms of incontinence and prolapse, and supports sexual health and general well-being. Therefore, regardless of the path chosen for rehabilitation, commitment and regularity in the practice are crucial to achieving lasting and significant improvements in pelvic floor health.

So what are you waiting for to re-educate your perineum using biofeedback ?

Up to you !