Pelvic floor Muscle Stimulation Units

These units are designed to be used at home to artificially stimulate the pelvic floor muscles to work. Electrical impulses are sent from the machine directly to the pelvic floor to mimic the messages that your brain is supposed to send.

These units are ideal for people who really don’t know where their muscles are. Or what they are supposed to do! They are also good for very weak muscles that can only contract a few times before they fatigue. Or muscles that can only muster a very tiny amount of strength.

• the sensations (a sort of tingly feeling) created by the electrical impulses help your brain to correctly identify the location of your pelvic floor muscles.
• the machine will stimulate the muscles to work (contract). It is possible to change the settings to favour different parts of the muscle.
• you can practice joining in with the machine to learn how to contract your muscles without help
• the machine can help you to ‘hold’ a muscle contraction while you concentrate on learning to breathe and/or move at the same time
• we usually recommend that you wait until 3 months postnatally before using a stimulation machine.

Examples of stimulation units:

To be professional, I do not recommend a single specific product or supplier. But I have aimed to narrow down the list of options for  you.  Please do read customer reviews to help you make your decision.  Many specialist physiotherapists, like myself , have units in clinic for you to try out before you buy.

Traditionally the stimulation is delivered by a battery-operated handheld unit with wires to a internal electrode. The price points vary depending on the number of programmes available & the style of the electrode supplied. A new design on the market is Pelviva, which are wireless foam single-use electrodes.

How to use a stimulation machine: video series

I have created a series of videos to show how a machine works, what the cables and probes look like and explain in a not-too-tech way how to use them to help problems with bladder leakage, prolapse or recovery after a baby.

These videos will help you understand your condition, as well as how the machines work. Then, you will be able to decide whether a machine would benefit you and which programmes you would choose.

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You will see that these videos were created as a project for Kegel8. However, you will find most of the information applies to stimulation machines in general.

Note about VAT exemption

If you have had a problem for more than 3 months you can declare yourself as having a ‘chronic medical condition’ and do not have to pay VAT. There will be a form to complete. This does not apply to the Elvie which is registered as an exercise tracker not a medical device. Not all the online suppliers can offer this service.

Combined Stim & Biofeedback Machines

You can also buy combined units which do both functions. However, these are surprisingly expensive (and a bit fiddly) so if you feel you need both systems I usually suggest you buy two separate simpler units and switch between them.

Lubricating gel

You will need a water-based lubricating gel to help the insertion of the devices. It is also essential to help the electrical devices to operate correctly. A simple, in-expensive, chemist-own or basic brand name is theoretically all you need. However, if you have concerns about ingredients you may prefer an organic version.   Do read my posts about the difference between water-based and oil-based lubricating products.

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Not sure what YOU need?

Get clarity first

If you are not too sure how good your muscles are then before you spend ANY money on a gadget or device I would highly recommend an hour spent with a specialist physiotherapist! Your appointment will be £70-90 outside London.

Our role at physiotherapy is to do an internal assessment of your pelvic floor muscles. We will check how well they are working and teach you how to get the best from them – you may not need any gadgets at all! And if you do we can help you make the best choice for your needs.

Savage, A.M (2019). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation devices. Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy, 125, 16-25

Try before you buy

We can loan you both muscle stimulation and biofeedback units to try out at home. To see how well they work for you before you consider buying your own. It is particularly important to consider an individual assessment by a specialist physiotherapist if you are at all worried that your pelvic floor muscles might be too tight rather than too weak.

We can also teach you exercises , which require no equipment at all! We usually combine pelvic floor exercises with appropriate abdominal muscle work as these two areas need to work well together for best support of our internal organs.

Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have further questions. Readers would love to know your experiences if you would be happy to share?

Savage, A.M (2019). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation devices. Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy, 125, 16-25

Savage, A.M (2018). Continence products and medication devices: issues that pelvic health physiotherapists need to consider. Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy, 122, 30-40