transversus abdominis & pressure biofeedback

[physioette]

I used to use this device but have not done so for several years. I found that patients(including myself) recriuted too many inappropriate muscles and the focus was taken away from core muscles themselves.
Having said that, I will get patients to monitor their ASISs for exercises in supine, focusing on minimizing movement of the pelvis and learning the feel of "core activation". Then quickly move onto more functional positions for core exercises, where the pressure device is unworkable.

[gogo girl]

I too found the pressure biofeedback frustrating. it was good for the patients to see a needle going up but if you moved away from the needle and analysed what they were actually doing, it was not generally TrA contraction. too easy to manipulate the needle so I found if you monitor them well to ensure correct recruitment, you may as well spend the time with them in the first place. Besides all that it is not a very functional position and functional recruitment is what we are ultimately after.

[adeledavies24]

I have used pressure biofeedback only occassionaly in my practice. I am fortunate to have access to a Real Time Ultrasound Unit at my practice and find that this gives a much more accurate idea of isolating the TA. It can also be used in functional positions - eg lifting, bending, marching on the spot. Many patients have been referred for real time ultrasound imaging to check they are using their core stabilisers correctly after some exposure to the pressure biofeedback and it is not uncommon for them to have inappropriate activation of the muscles (eg cocontraction or phasic contractions). So I would thouroughly reccommend ultrasound training if possible.