Hi, Maddie18. I've been thru two different types of Pelvic Floor Therapy for PF Dysfunction.
The 1st type was done locally with a physical therapist specializing in PFD. It involved realigning the pelvic muscles and strengthening the muscles using kegels with progress measured through electromyography (EMG), which is a rectal probe monitoring muscle tension.
The 2nd type of therapy was a 2 week course thru The Mayo Clinic's Evacuation Disorders program to be followed by 8 weeks continued therapy at home, on your own. It focused on RELAXING the pelvic floor muscles, rather than strengthening. It also uses an EMG as a rectal probe to monitor muscle tension. There are 15 increments (measured in micovolts) between complete relaxation and total closure of the pelvic floor muscles. 15!! I find that amazing. After numerous years of fecal incontinence, my pelvic floor muscles have been improperly trained to be on high guard at all times, which simply exhausted the muscles rendering them useless when actually needed. Retraining them to relax was a 24/7 activity.
The 2nd week of The Mayo Clunic program was much more challenging. It involved balloon biofeedback which inserts an empty balloon into the rectum, partially filling it with water, and then relaxing the pelvic floor muscles to let go of the balloon (simulating evacuation) without pushing or straining. This was an intense two week course! I was exhausted by the end of each day.
I definitely experienced improvement in the brief 3 weeks I was in the 8 week program, before fistulae, abscesses, and pelvic infection ended my therapy. (Therapy did not directly cause these complications, just poor timing). I still utilize some of my Mayo Maneuvers today.
Hope you find this helpful. Ask.any questions if there's something unclear.
Laura