mTrigger Biofeedback for Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: A Beginners Guide

Treating pelvic floor dysfunction, which is brought on by weak or hyperactive muscles, can be even more challenging for patients without real-time knowledge. In this case, mTrigger surface EMG biofeedback might be the perfect complement to your clinical toolbox.

Surface EMG biofeedback technology allows patients and healthcare providers to observe what's happening beneath the surface. Pelvic floor physical therapy could be revolutionized by this objective feedback, especially for individuals who struggle to establish somatic awareness of their pelvic floor muscles (PFMs).

Why Biofeedback Matters for Pelvic Floor Therapy

Many individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction find it challenging to individually activate specific PFMs. They may unintentionally engage neighboring muscles like the glutes, abdominals, or hip flexors when told to contract or relax. mTrigger biofeedback increases understanding and accuracy during rehabilitation by providing patients with visual evidence of when they are exercising the appropriate muscles. With the use of this real-time data, patients can correct improper movement patterns and undergo neuromuscular retraining more quickly and effectively.

Electrode vs Probe: Setting Up for Success

The anatomy, comfort, and clinical objectives of the patient all influence the appropriate electrode placement. While surface electrodes are helpful for initial training and patients who prefer a non-invasive option, internal probes provide more direct, targeted signal capture.

• Surface electrodes: Placed externally on either side of the anal sphincter.

• Internal sensors:
  • Rectal probes: Preferred for men and for women when indicated.
  • Vaginal probes: Common for women depending on comfort and presenting symptoms.

Using Biofeedback for PFM Down Training

Down training—teaching the muscles to relax—is the goal for pelvic floor overactivity (e.g., hypertonicity, pain, difficulty initiating voiding, constipation).
Clinicians can use mTrigger biofeedback to:

1. Create a starting point: Assess your patient's pelvic floor activity while they are at rest.
2. Assist patients in learning relaxation techniques using visual feedback.
3. Monitor progress: As patients gradually learn to reduce resting muscle activation levels, monitor their progress using the mTrigger app tracking feature.
   

Additionally, mTrigger biofeedback can be integrated with diaphragmatic breathing. A vital component of down training, deep inhalations aid in the descent and relaxation of the pelvic floor. When patients successfully relax, they can see the muscle activation meter decrease, which strengthens the mind-body link.

Using Biofeedback for PFM Strengthening

On the other hand, specific strengthening protocol are beneficial for PFM underactivity (such as stress urinary incontinence and postpartum muscle weakness).
In this case, mTrigger Biofeedback assists patients in:

1. Awareness training: Learning how to distinguish a pelvic floor contraction.
2. Endurance training: To increase sustained muscle activation, use longer holds (e.g., 8–10 seconds) with more repetitions.
3. Power training: To improve the recruitment of fast-twitch fibers, perform brief, fast pelvic floor "quick flicks."
4. Progress tracking: To observe increases in peak activation and hold duration over time, utilize the mTrigger tracking feature.
   
   

Furthermore, mTrigger biofeedback can be used to reinforce appropriate coordination during functional activities and teach proper muscle sequencing, making sure PFMs are recruited before glutes or abdominals.

Summary

It is difficult to address pelvic floor problems without prompt feedback. The mTrigger biofeedback device offers a powerful solution that allows patients to precisely contract or relax the right muscles by providing them with objective, visible information regarding pelvic floor muscle activity. It facilitates both down training for overactive PFMs and strengthening regimens for underactive PFMs with features including baseline measurement, visual assistance, and progress tracking. By providing options for internal probes or surface electrodes, mTrigger promotes your clinical goals and patient comfort. By enhancing somatic awareness, rectifying improper movement patterns, and reiterating appropriate muscle coordination, mTrigger biofeedback enhances the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy.
 

Small Electrodes for Pelvic Therapy

Pelvic Floor Strengthening with mTrigger

References 

1. Hite M, Curran T. Biofeedback for Pelvic Floor Disorders. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2020;34(1):56. doi:10.1055/S-0040-1714287
2. Chiang CH, Jiang YH, Kuo HC. Therapeutic efficacy of biofeedback pelvic floor muscle exercise in women with dysfunctional voiding. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):1-8. doi:10.1038/S41598-021-93283-9
3. Kaufman J, Stanton K, Lee TE. Pelvic Floor Biofeedback for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence and Fecal Incontinence. Biofeedback. 2021;49(3):71-76. doi:10.5298/1081-5937-49.3.01
4. Foundations of Pelvic Floor Muscle Assessment Using Surface Electromyography - APTA Pelvic Health. https://www.aptapelvichealth.org/products/foundations-of-pelvic-floor-muscle-assessment-using-surface-electromyography