What really works
in the treatment of Incontinence?
1948
Over a half-century ago Dr. Arnold Kegel 
started
a revolution in the field of incontinence when he reported that daily home
exercises -- combined with weekly office visits -- resulted in a
"cure" of incontinence in over 90% of his patients. The key to
Kegel's success was the use of an air-pressure biofeedback device which Kegel
called a "perineometer". This simple instrument allowed a woman
to actually "see" what her pelvic muscles were doing, and thereby,
regain control over them and increase their strength. Kegel's device sold
for $79.95 in 1948. It's no longer available. Kegel NEVER advocated
"empty vagina" exercises!
1982
Nearly a third of a century later,
Farrall Instruments introduced a "Personal Perineometer" that
essentially did the same thing, "only better". The new device
was considerably more sensitive, because it did not rely on muscle movement, but
actually sensed the electrical activity of the muscle directly. In
addition, by using "electromyographic (EMG)" signals, it showed not
only the muscle contraction level, but also the true "relaxation" level as
well. Unfortunately, it was also more expensive -- about 10 times as
much -- as the Kegel device. And, also unfortunately, it is no longer
available for sale! (There ARE several contemporary alternatives on
the market, however. Most cost around $400.)
2000
Some 50 years after Kegel, a new kind of "perineometer"
has been developed by DesChutes Medical Products, Inc. of Bend, Oregon.
It was originally called "Fria", and is so simple to use and foolproof in operation
that it is the first biofeedback device ever to get FDA approval for
"Over The Counter" (OTC - no prescription needed!) sales. A new
model called "MySelf" features a computerized LCD display that prompts contraction and rest
intervals and displays contraction levels in an isomorphic display. It
automatically adjusts the "scale" to your current level of
performance. MySelf is sold world-wide directly to consumers for
$99.95. That's a lot cheaper
(in 1948 dollars) than Kegel's original perineometer!
MySelf
=
An Affordable Home
Trainer!
You can use the link below to obtain more
information and to order the MySelf directly over the internet using your credit
card. If you order using this link your purchase will directly help support the
InContiNet website, as we will receive a small sales commission on your
purchase.
Click here for
more information and orders
(But
if you came here from our on-line shopping cart,
use your "BACK" button instead.)
For scientific information about the value of home
trainers, first read these articles:
-
"The
Role of Home Trainers in Kegel's Exercise Program" (Ostomy/Wound Management, The Journal for Extended
Patient Care Management, 1990) by John D. Perry, PhD and Leslie (Talcott)
Perry, MS, RNC
-
"Graphic Comparison of Symptom Reduction Rates For
Behavioral Treatment
Options for Stress Incontinence" by John D. Perry, PhD
Disclaimer:
-
For conditions related to pelvic floor tension, such
as pelvic pain, urinary retention, vulvodynia, etc., you may want to have
your muscles be evaluated by a certified biofeedback therapist using EMG instruments,
if you do not start to experience some relief in a two or three
weeks.
-
For stress and urge incontinence, including
over-active bladder, you should experience significant improvement in
less than a month; if not, see a biofeedback therapist.
-
In either case, your practice with the MySelf
instrument will not
have been wasted, but you may need additional suggestions from a trained
expert to get maximum benefits. You should not be satisfied with anything
less than complete recovery of continence.
This page is located at: http://www.incontinet.com/fria.htm.
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Last Revised: 05/04/05