Fort HealthCare's McConnell Receives Biofeedback Certification

JEFFERSON COUNTY – Becky McConnell, MPT, BCB-PMD, with Fort HealthCare Therapy & Sport Center, recently received certification from the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). McConnell joins an elite group of professionals who have met the educational, clinical, ethical, and exam criteria required in order to become a certified provider of biofeedback services. The certification affirms her advanced training in using biofeedback in the treatment of a variety of bladder and bowel disorders including incontinence, voiding dysfunction, constipation, pelvic pain syndromes, and more.

Biofeedback is a neuromuscular reeducation tool that is used to determine if certain processes in the body are working properly. It is a painless diagnostic tool that uses a computer and a video monitor to display bodily functions that most people are unaware of. Special sensors measure the functions, which are displayed as sounds that can be heard, or line graphs that can be seen on a computer screen. Biofeedback is used to gather more information about a condition to better develop an effective treatment plan, which may include techniques for improving strength, reducing tension and retraining uncoordinated muscles.

McConnell is a member of a team of physical therapists at Fort HealthCare Therapy & Sport Center that provide specialized services for women’s and men’s health issues. Children with bladder or bowel leakage and voiding dysfunction, including bedwetting and issues with constipation, can also be treated and benefit from this therapy.  The therapists coordinate personalized care plans for patients with pelvic pain, continence issues, prenatal and postpartum conditions, osteoporosis, pre- and post-operative surgery therapy, and more, developing individualized treatment plans for patients of all ages. Treatment may include bladder and bowel re-training, exercise, manual therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and biofeedback. Care is coordinated with a primary care doctor, OB/GYN or urologist. To learn more, visit FortHealthCare.com/PTWomen.

Board Certification demonstrates professionalism and adherence to carefully developed standards as a healthcare provider. McConnell’s certification demonstrates a higher level of understanding for conducting biofeedback, interpreting results and designing effective treatment plans.

The BCIA is the only institute recognized worldwide that grants certification to biofeedback practitioners. The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), the Biofeedback Foundation of Europe (BFE), and the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) all endorse BCIA certification. BCIA was established in 1981 to certify individuals who meet education and training standards in biofeedback and to progressively recertify those who advance their knowledge through continuing education. Currently, more than 1,600 healthcare professionals have achieved this certification in 25 countries. For more information, visit the BCIA website at www.bcia.org.

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