What is electrical stimulation for the pelvic floor?

Also known as stim, neuromuscular electrical simulation NMES, or e-stim

Our pelvic floor trainer machines deliver neuro-muscular electrical stimulation to treat muscle and nerve related conditions of the pelvic floor.

This is achieved by delivering electrical impulses to your muscles. The electrical impulses mimic what occurs when someone contracts and releases a muscle naturally.

Benefits, risks and alternatives to this treatment

Muscle stimulation can help to treat pain and heal injured, or weak muscles. The electrical currents may help improve blood flow and stimulate the muscle fibers or nerves, which can help to retrain how the muscle works.

You may not be suitable for electrical stimulation if you:

• have an aversion to a probe being inserted into your vagina or rectum
• are allergic to nickel – anti-allergy probes are available
• you have an electronic implant near the area or have a pacemaker
• have any kind of infection, for example urinary tract infection
• are pregnant
• have epilepsy (only after discussion with neurologist)
• history or current malignancy (cancer) in the area
• caution must be used when removing the probe if you have a IUD/IUS (for example coil).

What will stimulation feel like?

You will feel a gentle tingling, throbbing, or pins and needles sensation depending on the intensity. You may feel your muscles contract and tighten. It should not be painful.

Step by step instructions

• insert the white lead into the port on the machine as shown by your physiotherapist. This is usually the left side (channel A), depending on your machine type.
• connect the black and red pins of the lead wire to the probe
• insert your vaginal or rectal probe into yourself, as shown by your physiotherapist. Make sure that the widest part faces your hips, for example the metal surfaces must face sideways
• press the on/off button to turn on the machine. The program should already be set, which will include the length of treatment session, intensity and stimulation on/off time
• now press the (+) button on the same side as the inserted lead gently until you feel a sensation, continue to increase the intensity until a desired contraction of your muscles can be felt. This must be strong, but bearable
• you may feel the need to increase or decrease the intensity of the power delivered: Press the (+) or (-) to achieve this while a contraction is on going
• you should contract your pelvic floor muscle along with the machine if you are able to do this.

You may find to get the desired sensation, the intensity may vary day to day, it could be much higher or much lower the next day. This is ok.

Remember – Don’t clench your buttocks, thighs, pull in your tummy or hold your breath.

Make the most of the machine while it is in your possession. Don’t forget that you have only a limited time to use it.

What do I need to do after the treatment?

Disconnect the machine and cables from the probe, keep them in their box. Wash your probe in hot water (don’t use soap or any other cleaning products) and let it air dry. Please keep it separate from the box, this is to maintain infection prevention control measures.

Use daily or alternate days, unless otherwise instructed by your therapist.

Please bring the machine and your probe (kept separately) to your next appointment.

You will have agreed a date to return your machine by.

Once you have completed your physiotherapy input with the Kent Continence Service the machine must be returned, as agreed by yourself on our loan agreement form, so that in can be used for another patient.

The machine can either be returned to a clinic near you or to our office at the address above. Please contact us to arrange returning the machine.

Please make sure you label the machine with your name when you return it, so that we can track machines being returned.