In everyday practice and clinical settings, pelvic floor therapy often faces the challenge of meeting patients’ high expectations while working with limited treatment time. The PelvicTool pelvic floor trainer from Alonea has proven to be a valuable testing and training device. With efficient and measurable training programs, it helps therapists work in a targeted and time-saving manner.
In this article, experienced physiotherapists Nadja Büttner and Gabriele Freiburg share their practice-oriented experiences with the application of the Alonea PelvicTool in pelvic floor therapy.
Interview in the German professional journal “PhysioD” of the German Association for Physiotherapy e.V., Issue 4/2024.
Nadja Büttner, B.Sc. Physiotherapist, M.Sc. OMT, Head of Gynecology, Obstetrics, Proctology, Urology at Therapy4U. Pelvic floor therapy following the AGGGUP PhysioPelvica® method. www.therapy4u.de
Gabriele Freiburg, state-certified physiotherapist, Head of Physical Therapy at Sauerlandklinik Hachen, pelvic floor course instructor following the BEBO® concept, sectoral non-medical practitioner for physiotherapy. www.sauerlandklinik-hachen.de
Which patient groups do you recommend the PelvicTool from Alonea for?
Men preoperatively and postoperatively after four weeks, depending on complaints and the activation state of the muscles. Women with postpartum complaints, as well as women and men with issues related to continence control. Lower back pain can also be related to the pelvic floor muscles. Additionally, it is suitable for anyone who wants to better understand and train their pelvic floor.
Can your patients target specific training goals with the device? And how soon do they see results?
Yes, various training goals can be targeted. Depending on the deficit, results can be observed on the PelvicTool, as reported by patients, after just two to four sessions.
For which indications have you had particularly good experiences with the PelvicTool?
For urinary issues. For example, the awareness and control of straining during urination can often be addressed effectively in the first sessions. Particularly for men, it quickly enhances the perception of the correct sitting or standing posture and the feeling of a relaxed pelvic floor.
Ms. Freiburg, why do you use the PelvicTool for these indications?
With multiple sclerosis, we often encounter sensory disturbances, which make therapy challenging. Dysfunctions of the pelvic floor muscles require diverse therapeutic approaches. Visualizing muscle activity in the pelvic floor area is a great help for both the patient and the therapist. Both gain a certain level of control and feedback.
The patient sees, “this is what I’m doing.” Additionally, the training protocols in the app provide a clear overview of progress. For the patient, motivation is crucial, and this is definitely supported by the Alonea PelvicTool.
What are the results?
With good therapeutic success, it improves postural control as well as the voiding and storage functions for urine and stool on the physical level, reduces the risk of urinary tract infections, and enhances quality of life and motivation on the psychological level, minimizing the risk of social withdrawal.
NB: Pelvic floor training requires persistence, endurance, and discipline, as activating the pelvic floor muscles is always a cognitive effort and the muscle is not visible. The PelvicTool helps with motivation and enhances success, as patients can easily train with it at home in their daily routine.
The PelvicTool Home & Sport, developed by the Swiss medical technology company Alonea AG, is available at selected specialist retailers as well as in the webshop.
