Is Biofeedback Therapy a Permanent Solution for Chronic Constipation?
Do you start every morning with stress? For millions of people, the simple act of going to the washroom is a daily battle. You drink liters of water, eat papaya and oats, and take Isabgol or strong laxative tablets every night. Yet, the relief is only temporary. If this story sounds familiar, you are suffering from Chronic Constipation. Many patients in Pune believe that constipation is just about “hard stool.” But what if the stool is soft, but you still cannot pass it? This is where standard medicines fail. This condition is often due to a lack of coordination in your muscles, a problem that pills cannot fix.
So, is there a permanent solution? The answer is Biofeedback Therapy.
At Kaizen Gastro Care, widely recognized as the Best Gastroenterology Clinic in Pune, we are seeing excellent results with this advanced, drug-free treatment. But is it really a permanent cure? Let’s explore the expert insights from our team.
Understanding the Real Problem: It's Not Just About Fiber
To understand why Biofeedback works, you first need to understand why you are constipated.
For a normal bowel movement, two things must happen:
- The abdominal muscles must push down.
- The anal sphincter muscles (the door) must relax and open.
In many patients with chronic constipation, these muscles get confused. When they push, the anal muscles accidentally tighten instead of relaxing. This acts like a closed door. No matter how much you push, the stool cannot exit.
Doctors call this “Dyssynergic Defecation” or pelvic floor dysfunction.
What Exactly is Biofeedback Therapy?
Biofeedback is not a surgery. It is not a medicine. It is a type of physical therapy for your bowel muscles.
It uses special sensors and a computer screen to “show” you how your muscles are working in real-time.
- The Process: A small sensor is placed to monitor muscle activity.
- The Feedback: When you try to squeeze or relax, you see a graph on a computer screen.
- The Learning: A specialist guides you to change the graph. By watching the screen, your brain learns how to relax the right muscles at the right time.
The Big Question: Is Biofeedback Permanent?
Patients often ask, “Doctor, will I have to do this forever?”
The experts at Kaizen Gastro Care say: No. For most patients, the results are long-lasting and often permanent.
Here is why Biofeedback is considered a long-term solution compared to medicines:
1. It Fixes the Root Cause, Not the Symptom:
Laxatives and churnas are temporary. They artificially stimulate the gut. Once you stop taking them, the constipation returns because the underlying muscle problem is still there. Biofeedback fixes the coordination issue. Once the “handbrake” is released, your body can function naturally without help.
2. It is “Muscle Memory”:
Think about when you learned to ride a bicycle or swim. At first, it was hard. But once your brain learned the coordination, you never forgot it. Biofeedback is similar. It retrains the brain-gut connection. Dr. Rupali Bandgar-Jankar, the Consultant Gastrophysiologist at Kaizen Gastro Care, notes: “We are teaching the body a skill it has forgotten. Once the patient learns the correct technique of relaxation during defecation, they retain that skill for years.”
3. High Success Rate:
Clinical studies and data from our clinic in Wakad show that 70% to 80% of patients experience significant, long-term relief after completing a full course of Biofeedback therapy.
Why Pune Residents Trust Kaizen Gastro Care for this Treatment?
Biofeedback requires highly specialized equipment and trained experts. You cannot find this at every clinic. Kaizen Gastro Care has established itself as a leader in Chronic Constipation Treatment in Pune because of its comprehensive, team-based approach.
Here is how we ensure the best results for our patients:
Step 1:
Accurate Diagnosis with Anorectal Manometry: Before starting treatment, you must know if muscle failure is the actual cause. We use a high-tech test called High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry. This test measures the pressure in your rectum and anal canal. Dr. Vikrant Kale uses this data to confirm if you are the right candidate for Biofeedback.
Step 2:
Expert Surgical Backup: Sometimes, constipation is caused by structural issues like a large Rectocele or severe Prolapse. In these cases, therapy alone might not be enough. This is where Dr. Samrat Jankar, our Director and Senior Laparoscopic & GI Surgeon, steps in. His expertise in colorectal surgery ensures that if a physical repair is needed, it is done with precision. Having both medical and surgical experts under one roof makes Kaizen the Best Gastroenterology Clinic in Pune.
Step 3:
Holistic Support: Constipation is also linked to diet. Dr. Shweta Shinde – Kale, our Consultant Dietitian, works with Biofeedback patients to ensure their stool consistency is perfect. She creates customized diet plans that fit the Indian lifestyle—ensuring you get enough fiber without gas or bloating.
Who Should Consider Biofeedback?
You should consider booking an appointment at our Wakad clinic if:
- You feel like you cannot empty your bowel completely.
- You have to use fingers or manual pressure to pass stool.
- You strain excessively, even when the stool is soft.
- Laxatives have stopped working for you.
How to Make the Results Last Forever?
While Biofeedback therapy is a permanent solution for muscle coordination, your lifestyle plays a supporting role. To ensure you never face constipation again, the team at Kaizen Gastro Care recommends:
- Complete the Course: Do not stop after 2 sessions just because you feel better. Complete the recommended 4 to 6 sessions to solidify the muscle memory.
- Hydration: Pune’s weather can be dry. Keep drinking water.
- Don’t Ignore the Urge: When your body signals it is time to go, listen to it immediately.
- Regular Follow-ups: A check-up with Dr.Vikrant Kale once a year ensures everything is still functioning correctly.
Conclusion:
Chronic constipation is not something you have to live with. It is not just “part of aging” or “bad luck.” It is a medical condition, and for many, it is a problem of muscle coordination that can be fixed.
Biofeedback therapy offers a safe, painless, and permanent way to retrain your body. It allows you to stop relying on medicines and start living a free, comfortable life. Residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad, Wakad, Baner, Aundh, and nearby areas are fortunate to have access to this world-class technology right here at Kaizen Gastro Care.
Stop struggling in silence. Retrain your body and regain your freedom.