An Introduction to Urinary Incontinence.

Cover Story:
BioStim™ for Pelvic Floor Strengthening'
Dorothy Stevens RN. RM. Continence Consultant & Practitioner.

Therapy Closeup:
Pelvic Floor Strengthening

Bits n' Pieces:
Bio Notes:
Dorothy Stevens

User Profiles:
Those with incontinence tell their stories.

The Fact Files:
Scientific research in support of Electrical Stimulation for urinary incontinence.

Pelvic Floor Stimulation

BioStim™ is an excellent way of strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor in the treatment of stress incontinence. It has been found to be an effective and satisfying form of therapy that is inexpensive and discrete. It can be done in the privacy of one's own home at any time of the day or night.

Placement of Applicators
i. The internal electrode is placed into the vaginal passage.
(Men have similar results using the anal passage).

or;

ii. One large electrode is placed over the sacrum and one small electrode on the perineum (the area between the anus and the vagina).

Please see the list of precautions.

-- Settings --
The Incontrol is a specialised machine for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. It's preset frequencies and controls are tailored for this exact application. Below is an exerpt from the Incontrol operating manual outlining suggested treatment times for the rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles.

Incontrol Treatment Times

Week Time in Minutes/Day Relax Time Setting   at 10Hz at 50Hz Total   1 50 10 60 2 2 55 15 70 2 3 70 20 90 2 4 90 30 120 1 5 80 40 120 1 6 60 60 120 1 7 & 8 Continue if needed as per week 6 1

Alternatively, the Sportsmed can be used.

* Gentle, but you should be able to feel the muscles working.

Sportsmed Dosage
Use Methods A & B for equal amounts of time. Sessions should be once daily, starting at up to 15 minutes total stimulation time (ie. 7.5 minutes for each method). Build up to one hour per day, adding five minutes at a time. It should take you about two weeks to get to 60 minute sessions.

Results
You should feel beneficial results in around 3 weeks and peak results in 8-10 weeks.

Please Note
Soreness During Stimulation
This should not be felt. This is defintely not an example of 'no pain - no gain'. The stimulation should be comfortable at all times - if it is not, check the placement of electrodes or simply turn down the intensity.

Over the course of treatment, as your muscles get stronger, you will be able to turn up the intensity - but not in the early stages.

Soreness After Stimulation
As with any muscle exercise, soreness afterwards is common. This simply means the muscles are getting stronger. Never have the next session of stimulation if you are still sore from the last one.

Internal Electrode Care
Wash before and after every session with soapy water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Other Treatments
Pelvic floor strengthening exercises.