[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/09\/what-is-biofeedback-therapy\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/09\/what-is-biofeedback-therapy\/","headline":"What Is Biofeedback Therapy?","name":"What Is Biofeedback Therapy?","description":"Biofeedback therapy uses technology to train patients to control their body\u2019s functions with their mind. ","datePublished":"2016-09-16","dateModified":"2022-12-09","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Biofeedback-Therapy.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Biofeedback-Therapy.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/09\/what-is-biofeedback-therapy\/","about":["Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":438,"keywords":["Biofeedback Therapy","Centers for Rehab","Forms of Therapy","urinary incontinence"],"articleBody":"Biofeedback Therapy for Fecal and Urinary IncontinenceBiofeedback therapy uses technology to train patients to control their body\u2019s functions with their mind. This is done through the use of specialized electronic sensors that help you receive information about your body. You can use biofeedback therapy to control factors like heart rate, muscle tension, and even blood pressure.Biofeedback therapy helps you tweak certain muscle actions that can help prevent urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence.The Basics of Biofeedback: Treating Incontinence\u201cBiofeedback therapy works by helping patients overcome obstacles to understanding how to control muscles that they cannot see and may have difficulty feeling,\u201d says Susan George, PT, director, Women\u2019s Rehab and Men\u2019s Health, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute.\u201cPhysical therapists use this educational tool as a way to teach muscle relaxation when stool expulsion is difficult or to teach muscle contraction when leakage of urine or stool is the problem. This visual and auditory feedback trains patients to control their own muscles while allowing the physical therapist to monitor their progress across a series of treatment sessions.\u201dWhen a patient with weak muscles begins biofeedback therapy, he or she may have no understanding of how the pelvic floor muscles work.You will learn how to identify the pelvic floor muscles through the use of electrodes that change electrical impulses into a line of color on a computer screen and enable you to see your muscles contract and relax.By repeatedly squeezing muscles and creating this electronic line of color, you\u2019ll watch your muscles activate.Your physical therapist can then use this newfound knowledge to train you to regain control of your bladder or rectum.Receiving feedback from your physical therapist and practicing pelvic muscle squeezes throughout the day will eventually lead to you no longer needing biofeedback therapy, \u00a0as you\u2019ll be able to independently manage your own continence.\u201cBiofeedback therapy is a helpful tool to educate patients on how to activate unseen muscles critical to obtaining continence,\u201d George said. \u201cWhen performed successfully, patients can see the direct results on the monitor, which is helpful and encouraging in relearning a vital skill.\u201dWhy Biofeedback Therapy?Biofeedback therapy appeals to people for a variety of reasons. A physician might suggest biofeedback training as a component of physical therapy because it is noninvasive and can help the patient learn how to contract the pelvic floor muscles. It is an option for women who are pregnant. It is also an option when medications have not worked well, and overall, it helps people take control of their health.For more information about physical therapy services, visit UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Is Biofeedback Therapy?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/09\/what-is-biofeedback-therapy\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]