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Home One Woman's Triumph over Cancer Lung Cancer Can Be Caught Early Heart Attack or Indigestion? Know Your Heart Heart Disease and Women How Prenatal Screenings and Ultrasounds Can Help Find Relief for Incontinence, Pelvic Pain – Finally Knee Pain Can Be Sign of a More Serious Condition |
Find Relief for Incontinence,
Pelvic Pain – FinallyYou've probably heard the adage "mind over matter" dozens of times. But have you ever heard it associated with incontinence, chronic pelvic pain or sexual dysfunction? Biofeedback is a form of control over the body that is taught through techniques that connect the mind's thoughts with the body's function. The Methodist Center for Restorative Pelvic Medicine is using biofeedback therapy to help people with incontinence (urinary and fecal), chronic pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction regain control over their lives. "We have patients who have suffered in silence for years and tried anything and everything they could to get relief," says Debbie Katerinakis, charge nurse at the center. "Sometimes people give up because it can be embarrassing in the first place, and to get no positive effect from treatment just adds to the devastation of living with these conditions." What Is Biofeedback Therapy? Biofeedback is not a new idea. Many Eastern philosophies, such as yoga, are based on the belief that thoughts can control the body. "It's an alternative to surgery or other invasive treatments," Katerinakis says. After a patient is referred to the center, the first session begins with a one-on-one meeting with a practitioner who listens to the patient's concerns about the problem. "We respect our patients' feelings about these personal issues," Katerinakis says. "The center offers private rooms and a comfortable atmosphere." Then, a nationally certified biofeedback therapist uses electronic equipment to measure the patient's breathing rate, blood pressure and heartbeat. Finally, the therapist leads the patient through both physical and mental exercises to help him or her learn to connect the body's functions with the mind's thoughts. Some treatments use electrical stimulation that delivers a rolling or pulsing sensation to help patients recognize, strengthen and control muscles. Seeking Relief If you are having trouble with incontinence, pelvic pain or sexual dysfunction, you don't have to suffer alone. It's important to talk to your doctor – even if it's difficult or embarrassing. Remember, your doctor has had experience treating many types of people and conditions. A topic you may think is embarrassing is likely something the doctor has heard many times before. Just think, at least 13 million people are affected by urinary incontinence, and millions more suffer from chronic pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction.* "Patients tell us that they wish they would have heard about biofeedback therapy sooner," Katerinakis says. "We start by letting patients know we're a health care partner who understands their situations and takes them seriously. There are things you can do – don't suffer alone." * Source: American Urological Association.
For more information
about the Methodist Center
for Restorative Pelvic Medicine,
please call 888-285-5313 or visit
www.methodistpelviccenter.com.
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