Biofeedback uses sensitive electronics to detect and amplify muscle activity. Normally, we are aware of muscle activity that is associated with movement such as walking or swinging a tennis racket. The electric activity of a muscle increases when a muscle is tense and decreases when it is relaxed. For this reason, biofeedback can provide information about whether our muscles are relaxed or tense. You may use this machine in the privacy of your own home to identify pelvic muscle contractions - that is, to know if you are doing Kegel exercises correctly.

Steps for testing muscle contraction

1. Remove the unit from the case and set the switch inside the battery compartment to "off". Then insert the battery.
   
   
   
   
2. Plug the MyoTrac sensor into input jack.
   
   
   
   
3. Set the gain switch to X1 and turn the volume up.
   
4. Set the threshold potentiometer to ten. Snap a triode electrode on the MyoTrac electrode.
   
   
   
   
5. Hold the MyoTrac sensor with a light pressure on your cheek below the cheekbone, making sure all the electrodes contact the skin.
   
6. Observe the tone and bar graph reading as you tense and relax your muscles. The first yellow LED lights up when the actual muscle contraction is at the level set in the MyoTrac.

Using the MyoTrac to detect perineal muscle contraction

1. Set up the MyoTrac as previously mentioned.
2. If necessary, shave the area that is between the rectum and scrotum.
3. Place sensor pad over the muscle site so that two electrodes are positioned parallel to the muscle fibers and about 1/2" above the rectum (see diagram below). The electrode does NOT need to be adhered to the skin. It can be manually held in place.
4. Use your Kegel instruction sheet to tighten perineal muscles and observe the light on the MyoTrac biofeedback machine. When the muscles are contracted, the light should stay in the red.
5. Your nurse can help you if you have further questions about using the MyoTrac biofeedback machine.