The first step in performing pelvic muscle exercise, is learning how to contract and relax the correct muscles. The type of biofeedback most often used for bladder control and other pelvic muscle problems, is called EMG. All muscles in the body give off a small electrical signal that can be monitored with EMG.

By "feeding back" the information gathered by the EMG to the patient, immediate knowledge about these muscles is available. For people with urinary incontinence this info can be used to plan a personal exercise program to increase the strength and holding power of the muscles that control urination. With biofeedback, the patient can learn to stop using the wrong muscles and start using the correct ones. Biofeedback is useful for people who are willing and able to assume more responsibility and control of their body.

Further, biofeedback can be used along with medications and other types of treatment for incontinence such as bladder training and dietary modification. Should an operation become necessary, biofeedback may be prescribed before and after surgery. Biofeedback does nothing to patients but assist them in learning to control their own body. It is a safe and effective treatment, with no known side effects.