ALVA PFT

ALVA Pelvic Floor Trainer

ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer

ALVA Vibration Assisted High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer for Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation in Women

ALVA is the first 'vibration assisted' pelvic floor trainer device that utilises the principles of vibration training to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and reduce the symptoms of incontinence. ALVA combines vibrations with traditional pelvic floor training (i.e. pelvic floor exercises / Kegel exercises). ALVA delivers vibrations to pelvic floor muscles during pelvic floor training workout. Vibration assisted contractions have much greater muscular involvement and produce better results faster than contractions performed during pelvic floor exercises alone.       

ALVA - a perfect choice for women with stress incontinence - effective reduction in the symptoms of urinary incontinence achieved in just 5 minutes per day.

ALVA PFT @ £127.95 + VAT (£153.54)

*This product can be purchased VAT free for personal use by people suffering relevant chronic problems. VAT exemption declaration can be completed online in our Online Shop.

ALVA Pelvic Floor Trainer Summary of Benefits

• High performance pelvic floor trainer
• Suitable for women of all ages
• Integrated biofeedback for precise pelvic floor strength based training
• User given guidance throughout training on LCD display 
• Automatic biofeedback based calibration prior to each training session for maximum workout efficacy
• Highly effective in pelvic floor strengthening
• Saves time with short 5 minutes workout sessions
• Effectively reduces the symptoms of stress incontinence
• Delivers fast improvements
• Can be used to treat other pelvic floor weakness related problems and urinary conditions, such as urgency
• Increases vaginal tone
• Eases symptoms of menopause
• Heightens sexual responsiveness
• Helps pelvic floor recovery after pregnancy
• Increases quality of life
• Easy to use
• Comfortable during use
• Safe and convenient
• Battery operated and portable
• A new therapeutic modality in pelvic floor rehabilitation
• A viable alternative to conventional methods of pelvic floor rehabilitation (i.e. unsupported Kegel exercises, neuromuscular stimulation, pressure based biofeedback)

Vibration Therapy Background

Vibration technology was initially developed in the second half of the twentieth century by Russian scientists for use by Russian cosmonauts. Vibration training imposes high loads on human body and helps to slow down bone loss and muscle wasting caused by weightlessness in space. More recently, vibration training is routinely used by athletes to improve their training efforts and produce greater muscular strength in shorter time.  

Vibration training is a low impact full body workout used to strengthen and tone up muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. Vibration training is non-strenuous; yet, it desirably increases the load on the muscles, thus increasing muscle strength, flexibility and range of movements. Vibration training also boosts deliveries of oxygen and nutrients, whilst helping to remove toxins and metabolic waste, contributing further to overall muscular fitness. Vibration training is effective and based on research, many experts now believe that 10 to 15 minutes of vibration training exercise equates to as much as a full hour of conventional exercising.         

Vibrations trigger a stretch reflex in the muscles, causing muscles to contract spontaneously in response. Contractions triggered by vibrations are more powerful than natural effort based contractions. Vibrations stimulate neuromuscular system to recruit more muscle fibres to participate in the contractions, thus leading to greater muscular participation and larger output of muscular effort. Research shows that as much as 95 - 100% of muscle fibres are recruited to support vibration triggered contractions. In comparison, only 40 - 80% of muscle fibres involvement is observed during natural muscle contractions.

Similarly, when vibrations are applied to pelvic floor during traditional pelvic floor exercise, the vibrations trigger greater pelvic floor muscle involvement than during natural pelvic floor exercise alone. Increased pelvic floor muscle participation leads to more efficient pelvic floor workout with faster and better outcomes in pelvic floor rehabilitation.

ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer - the Background

ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer Vibration Therapy Device for Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation was developed in close co-operation between medical and technical experts. The idea of applying vibrations during pelvic floor training was born during research into pelvic muscle strength conducted by a Norwegian Professor of Medicine Gunnar Leivseth and a Technical Engineering Expert in Vibration Training Ole J. Olsen.  

Professor Leivseth is a Chief Physician at Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of St. Olavs University Hospital in Trondheim, Norway and a professor at Department of Neuroscience of the Faculty of Medicine at Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Pelvic floor and pelvic floor rehabilitation are key areas of his interest and expertise.

Ole Olsen is an engineer and a specialist in vibration training applications. He participated in several research projects into the effects of vibrations on human body carried out by Norwegian School of Sports Science as well as NASA. He focused on research into evaluation of muscular behaviour and contributed to the development of a vibration platform for training of lower body extremities. 

Together, Professor Leivseth and Ole Olsen researched the effects of vibration training on pelvic floor muscles. Their research showed that applying vibrations to pelvic floor leads to faster progress in the development of pelvic muscle strength, thus presenting an opportunity to develop vibration assisted pelvic floor training device.

The ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer was conceived and successfully developed. The ALVA Vibration Therapy Device for Pelvic Floor and Continence is now manufactured and marketed by a Norwegian company VibraSense AS. VibraSense AS was established in 2009 to market the ALVA as well as any future vibration training devices that are currently in the development.    

The Alva High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer by VibraSense is both effective and safe and delivers a true alternative treatment modality to pelvic floor rehabilitation arena. 

In addition to the initial pilot study examining the effects of vibration training on pelvic floor muscles, the ALVA is currently undergoing a further clinical trial. This trial is expected to be completed in late 2010 or early 2011 and its results will be published. Preliminary outcomes are very promising with cure rates reaching 80%.

ALVA Pilot StudyALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer Vibration Therapy Device

ALVA by VibraSense combines positive effects of vibrations on pelvic floor muscles with traditional pelvic floor contractions. Alva is an effective way to bladder control. It delivers faster progress in building up of muscle strength. Alva allows women to reduce the symptoms of incontinence effectively with only 5 minutes workout a day.

ALVA is a personal pelvic floor exercise device that guides you through efficient pelvic muscle training. When ALVA probe starts vibrating, you contract your pelvic floor. The vibration induces higher activity in the neuromuscular system, recruiting more muscles to take part in each contraction. Greater muscular participation makes each contraction more efficient and more effective than normally achieved during stand alone traditional pelvic floor training.

Another important benefit of vibration assisted pelvic floor training as delivered by ALVA is the ease of isolating correct pelvic floor muscles for the pelvic floor workout. When embarking on Kegel exercises, some women have difficulties identifying the correct muscles to contract. If this happens, pelvic floor exercises are not effective in the strengthening of the pelvic floor. Using vibrations in combination with pelvic floor contractions makes it easier to feel your pelvic floor and to exercise correct pelvic floor muscles.

ALVA employs a medical silicone vaginal probe that plays an important role in the precise functioning of the device. Firstly, the ALVA probe enables the device to evaluate the force of your first contraction and calibrate itself accordingly to your actual pelvic muscle status. The probe detects your contraction force, when your muscles flex and enables the value of the force applied to be shown on the LCD display on the control unit. This value is an expression of your actual contraction force, which the device uses to calibrate itself appropriately to your pelvic floor strength to guide you through your vibration assisted pelvic floor training in the most effective way. Secondly, the ALVA probe delivers vibrations to your pelvic floor and provides internal muscle support during the training.  

ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer Indications 

ALVA is designed to treat stress incontinence that occurs when sneezing, coughing, laughing, running, exercising or lifting. However, you can also use ALVA to address other urinary or pelvic floor weakness related conditions.

ALVA has 2 treatment programmes, each with three intensity levels.

• Program 1: FOR BEGINNERS: Select this program, if you have a weak pelvic floor with none or very little strength in the pelvic floor muscles, making contractions very difficult or even impossible. You can also select this program, if you want an automated training session without the need for monitoring the LCD on the control unit. Program 1 helps you to identify your pelvic floor muscles and build up ability to contract them.

Program 1 produces 20 automatic vibrations, each lasting for 5 seconds with 10 seconds relaxation intervals between vibrations.
 
Intensity of vibrations: There are 3 levels of vibration intensity. All intensity levels are effective. Commence training on low level and continue training on your preferred intensity level.

When training muscles, it is important for the muscle to get sufficient rest periods. During resting, the muscles produce new enzymes and proteins that are essential for increased muscular strength. If training twice daily, perform 1 session in the morning and the other in the evening, thus ensuring sufficient resting period.

• Program 2: ADVANCED PELVIC FLOOR TRAINING: Select this program, if you are able to contract your pelvic floor muscles. ALVA measures your initial contraction force and uses it to calibrate and control the training program. Your next contraction must exceed 50% of your initial contraction force to initiate vibration. If you fall below 50% of your initial contraction force during any of your subsequent contractions, vibrations will cease and the device will default to the 10 second relaxation interval and thereafter restart. However, if you fail to reach the 50% of the initial contraction force at the start of any new contraction, the device will switch off automatically. Program 2 is based on the idea that the vibration exercise should last as long as you are able to generate predefined contraction force in your pelvic floor. ALVA is set to recognise 20 completed vibrations - contraction cycles as the workout successfully completed.

Program 2 produces maximum of 20 vibrations calibrated to your pelvic floor strength. Maximum vibration / contraction time is 8 seconds.    

Intensity of vibrations: There are 3 levels of vibration intensity. All intensity levels are effective. Commence training on low level and continue on your preferred intensity level.

When training muscles, it is important for the muscles to get sufficient rest periods. During resting, the muscles produce new enzymes and proteins that are essential for increased muscular strength. When performing 2 training sessions per day, it is best to train once in the morning and once in the evening. 

How often to use ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer

• If your symptoms are severe, use ALVA twice daily for 8 - 12 weeks
• If your symptoms are moderate, use ALVA once daily on regular basis (i.e. daily)
• If your symptoms are only light or for prevention, use ALVA once daily 2 - 3 times per week

Complete pelvic floor workout with ALVA takes just 5 minutes. You can use ALVA to treat stress incontinence and other pelvic floor weakness related urinary problems. Simply insert the ALVA vaginal probe, select your program and follow the on-screen instructions.

To keep track of your ALVA Pelvic Floor Training - use ALVA Training Log:

ALVA Training Log

Please note that ALVA probe is designed for use by a single user only. In the interest of personal hygiene, you should replace the probe after 6 months of regular use.

Print ALVA User ManualALVA is battery powered and uses 4 x AAA alkaline batteries.

ALVA Contraindications & Precautions

1.    Do not use ALVA during menstruation
2.    Do not use ALVA, if you suffer urinary or vaginal infection
3.    Do not use ALVA in pregnancy
4.    Do not use ALVA, if you have cardiac pacemaker fitted
5.    Consult a doctor prior to using ALVA, if you suffer from a heart condition  

ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer Specifications

• Equipment: Vibration Trainer
• Display: LCD touch screen
• Power supply: 4 x AAA batteries
• Voltage: DC 6V
• Power consumption: max, 300 µA; stand-by 36 µA
• Probe: Type BF applied; single user probe
• Auto power off: 2 minutes non use
• Program 1: contract 5 seconds; relax 10 seconds; 20 repetitions
• Program 2: contract 8 seconds or less, depending on your stamina; relax 10 seconds; repetitions 1 - 20, depending on your strength & stamina
• Intensity specifications: low 30 Hz / medium 40 Hz / high 50 Hz
• Total weight (control unit, probe, batteries): 350 g
• Weight of probe: 140 g
• Control unit dimensions: 105 x 70 x 25 mm
• Probe: vaginal, medical silicone (non latex)
• Probe size: 75 mm long x 30 mm diameter 
• Operating Conditions: - 5ºC to + 40ºC
• Storage Conditions: temperature from - 20ºC to + 50ºC; non condensing humidity 20% - 90% @ 30ºC; atmospheric pressure 700 - 1060 hPa
• Compliance: CE 0470 Class 2a Medical Device (Annex V of the MDD 93/42/EEC)

View ALVA CE MDD 93/42/EEC Certificate

ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer kit

ALVA kit consists of ALVA control unit, medical silicone vaginal probe, set of 4 AAA batteries, carry pouch and multilingual user manual.

FREE EDUCATIONAL GIFT: 'Womens Waterworks - Curing Incontinence' by Dr Pauline Chiarelli

CE mark Medical Device (CE 0470 Class 2a)

12 months warranty

ALVA High Performance Pelvic Floor Trainer costs £127.95 + VAT (£153.54)

ALVA Vaginal Probe (replacement) costs £37.95 + VAT (£45.54)

*ALVA and ALVA probe can be purchased without VAT for personal use by women suffering relevant chronic problems (i.e. incontinence). VAT exemption certificate can be completed in our online shop.

Refer to Muscle Assesment and Rehab page for general information about EMG or go to EMG Biofeedback page.

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