妙佑医疗国际的肠排空障碍项目主要为因盆底肌紧张或不协调（盆底功能障碍）而导致慢性便秘的患者提供帮助。
项目设于妙佑医疗国际明尼苏达州院区，为期两周，重点是对盆底肌（控制着肠道和膀胱出口的肌肉）进行再训练。如果您的盆底肌肉不能正常工作，可能导致排便困难。
项目期间，参与者将学习：
- 放松特定肌肉。排便时，需要放松一些盆底肌。为帮助您学会放松这些肌肉，将在您的直肠口放置一个光滑的生物反馈传感器。它可以帮助您识别需要放松的确切肌肉。您将通过观察屏幕上的生物反馈结果来衡量自己的进展。
- 用球囊进行练习。训练的下一步是将一个细长的球囊插入直肠，然后将球囊部分充水。之后，您将学习在不用力推的情况下放松肌肉，排出球囊。
- 后续的居家项目。一旦形成了新的肌肉记忆，您需要在家通过锻炼和设备继续练习。
要参加肠排空障碍项目，您必须由明尼苏达州妙佑医疗国际的医生转诊。您可能需要接受其他检查，以确认盆底功能障碍的诊断。
盆底功能障碍是常见问题，您无需因此感觉尴尬。多数患者在再训练项目中表现良好，其盆底肌的控制和协调能力有所改善。
要参加肠排空障碍项目，需要由妙佑医疗国际的医务人员为您转诊；如果您是妙佑医疗国际新患者，请致电 507-538-3270 以开始治疗。
What you can expect from our Bowel Evacuation Disorders Program
The program offers up to 20 personal, one-on-one sessions with highly trained occupational and physical therapists to guide you through Mayo Clinic's preferred approach to treat pelvic floor dysfunction. Our physical therapists are specifically trained in bowel and bladder anatomy, muscle behavior, and therapy modalities to help you. You will learn a lot during your two-week program — 10 days of appointments, Monday through Friday — including bowel function basics, stress management, and relaxation techniques.
- Relax specific muscles. Some pelvic floor muscles must relax during a bowel movement. To help you learn to relax these muscles, your therapist will instruct you in multiple therapy treatments to find what works best for you. These may include breathing techniques, mindfulness sessions, stretches, manual therapy and biofeedback.
- Biofeedback uses a smooth electronic sensor placed in your rectal opening. Interpreting feedback helps you identify the exact muscles that you need to relax.
- You can measure how much the muscle is contracting by watching your biofeedback results on a screen.
- Pelvic floor anatomy. Working with your therapist, you will gain a basic understanding of pelvic floor anatomy, typical bowel function and causes of constipation. That understanding helps you identify how to promote healthy bowel function, including what to eat, how to sit on the toilet, and breathing techniques for muscle relaxation.
- Healthy habits. You will learn to identify common stress-related symptoms in your life. Your team will also share tools for reducing this stress response through a healthier lifestyle and daily life habits.
- Coordinate specific muscles. The next step in training may involve learning how to move your muscles properly to pass stool. This may include practicing correct coordination to pass a small water-filled balloon.
- Home rehabilitation program. As you develop new muscle memory, you will need to continue practicing your new skills.
Pelvic floor dysfunction is a common problem. Most people do well with the retraining program and experience improved pelvic floor muscle control and coordination.
Is our program right for you?
To participate in the Bowel Evacuation Disorders Program, you must be referred by a physician at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota, such as a gastroenterologist or a women's health specialist. You may require additional tests and imaging to confirm the diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunction before meeting with the rehabilitation team to develop a plan for you. Your specific evacuation disorder plan may include additional Mayo Clinic team members in areas such as nutrition, psychology or pain medicine.
Our program can help with issues such as:
- Constipation.
- Straining.
- Pelvic floor straining.
- Pelvic floor muscle tension.
- Lifestyle changes related to constipation.
For more information about Mayo Clinic's Bowel Evacuation Disorders Program, call 507-284-2111.
Additional information for participants
Insurance
After you complete the initial set of eligibility evaluations, a Mayo Clinic Patient Financial Services representative will contact your insurance carrier. Upon receiving insurance approval, you will be contacted to schedule an admission date. Patient Financial Services will also contact you to discuss alternative options if full approval for the program cannot be obtained.
If you have questions about your benefits or the status of your approval, please contact the phone number on your insurance card. If you need further assistance, a Patient Financial Services representative is available to speak with you about insurance issues at 507-266-9753.
Location and Patient Visitor Guide
Patient and visitor parking ramps are available on the Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester, Minnesota, within walking distance of the Mayo Building, where your appointments take place. The daily charge is modest, and you can purchase weekly passes from the parking attendant at a discount. Many hotels and motels provide shuttle bus service to Mayo Clinic.
Lodging
Participants make their own arrangements for lodging. Several options are listed on the Hotels and Lodging page.
Mayo Clinic Travel Services also can assist with travel planning.
Mayo Clinic Concierge Services also is available to assist with general questions about accommodations, but arrangements are the responsibility of the patient.
Meals
Meals are not provided as part of the program. Patients are responsible for bringing or purchasing lunch. The program schedule allows for at least an hour free for lunch each day. Mayo Clinic's downtown campus in Rochester, Minnesota, features a number of different cafeterias and restaurants available within walking distance.