What is Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation and why is it done?
Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation at Virginia Beach Obstetrics & Gynecology provides women with the tools and skills necessary to regain control of their bladder, pelvic, and rectal muscles. This is a non-surgical form of therapy used to retrain and strengthen the pelvic floor and/or bladder. The therapy is done by using biofeedback and electrical stimulation techniques to help evaluate muscle strength and endurance, as well as help properly isolate and exercise pelvic floor muscles.
There will be a nurse present during the therapy to instruct, guide and monitor each session. A computer will guide you and monitor your progress and provide reports for physician review after each session.
Your provider may recommend Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation for you if you are experiencing any of the following issues/problems:
- Stress Urinary Incontinence
- Urge Incontinence
- Mixed Incontinence (Both Stress and Urge)
- Fecal Incontinence
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Voiding Dysfunction
- Pelvic Pain
- Pelvic Dysfunction
What to expect:
Urostym Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation is done at our Glenn Mitchell location. The therapy consists of 8 initial weekly sessions. Patients come in once a week, preferably on the same day each week. The first visit will take a little longer than the rest. It will take approximately one hour. Repeat sessions take approximately 30-45 mins each week.
Once in the room you will be asked to undress from the waist down. There will be a small probe placed in the vagina as well as a small sensor in the rectal opening. You will also have EMG surface patches placed, two will go on your lower abdomen below the belly button, and one on your side flank area. You will be asked to do a serious of exercises that consist of contracting and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles while monitoring your progress on a computer. Your session will end with a small amount of electrical stimulation vaginally to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles to contract. During the stimulation you will feel a gentle tapping sensation vaginally and feel the muscle contract.
You will be asked a series of questions at each visit to record your progress and improvement throughout the treatment. You will also be given an exercise regimen to do at home daily between sessions as part of the therapy.
Preparing for the therapy:
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- If you wear corrective eyeglasses, be sure to bring them with you to each appointment.
- Please arrive 10 minutes prior to scheduled appointment so that you have time to empty your bladder prior to the therapy.
- If you need to reschedule your appointment we ask you to do so 24 hours in advance or else you will be subject to a possible $25 fee
- Please contact the office prior to appointment if you have any signs or symptoms of infection (such as vaginal itching, painful urination, acute pelvic or bladder pain, sores, or fever). Also, if you are experiencing a heavy menses please call us, as these symptoms may cause the appointment to have to be rescheduled.
We find that 75-80% of patients we see will attain significant improvement or cure with this type of therapy alone. As with any form of treatment there are some patients who do not benefit from non-surgical therapy. Changes in your symptoms should be noticed around visit 3-4 if therapy will be successful for you. This does not mean you will be cured in 3-4 visits but you should notice gradual progress. Remember your issue/symptoms did not just occur overnight but with time, and it will take time to see improvement in them as well. In order to achieve this improvement, it is recommended that you come to each appointment weekly for the initial 8 weeks and any follow up appointments scheduled. Also, that you do all recommended therapy that is given to you to do at home in between sessions and upon completion of therapy. If you should need to contact the office for any questions, concerns, or to reschedule please call 757-425-1600.