Biofeedback Therapy
UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital is the only provider in Northeast Ohio that provides biofeedback therapy to treat urinary and defecation difficulties and functional constipation in children, teens and young adults.
Your child’s health is important. Make an appointment today.
Schedule an appointment today with the pediatric experts at UH Rainbow. Call 216-844-1765.Treating Urinary and Defecation Difficulties and Functional Constipation
Biofeedback is a research-backed treatment that is effective in treating a variety of conditions. The goal is to train a patient to voluntarily control a bodily function with the help of electronic monitoring of body function.
In children with elimination disorders, biofeedback targets pelvic floor muscles that work together to pass stools. This helps patients gain more control over these muscles and improve bowel control. Therapy sessions typically occur every two to four weeks for a total of five to six sessions.
Biofeedback can also be used to treat urinary incontinence, which can be caused by many different physical or psychological factors in children. Biofeedback in combination with behavioral modification and medication has proven to be an effective approach to treating constipation and urinary issues.
Biofeedback Therapies
UH Rainbow offers two types of biofeedback therapies. Your child’s pediatrician will help decide which is best for your child.
- Anal Rectal Biofeedback
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This therapy treats constipation, loss of rectal sensation, poor anal tone and dyssnergic defecation. While the child lies on a table, a thin catheter is gently inserted into the anus and a small balloon is inflated to keep the catheter in place. After the rectal and anal muscles are assessed, the child is asked to take part in a series of exercises aimed at coordinating these two muscles. The child can watch how their muscles work using a small tablet-sized monitor.
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Strengthening
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This therapy treats chronic constipation, defecatory disorders and urinary incontinence. Six small sticker-type sensors are placed on several locations on the patient’s body. The sensors are attached to a computer with a large monitor for the child and family to watch. The child’s ability to relax and contract the pelvic floor and abdominal is assessed, then the child is engaged for about 25 minutes in a series of games in which they practice relaxing and contracting their muscles.
Biofeedback Services at UH Rainbow
Interested in more information about biofeedback therapy at UH Rainbow? Appointments are available at our east and west side locations for children ages 4 and older. Call 216-844-1765 for more information.