Biofeedback for the pelvic floor is a powerful and non-invasive tool that uses visual and auditory cues to help you better understand how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning. At Pathway Physical Therapy in Boca Raton, we use EMG biofeedback physical therapy to support both strengthening and relaxation of the pelvic floor—depending on your individual needs.

What Is Pelvic Floor Biofeedback?

Biofeedback uses sensors—either internal or external—that detect the electrical activity of your pelvic floor muscles. This information is translated into a real-time visual display so you can “see” how your muscles are performing.

We may also use an additional external sensor on your abdominal muscles to help evaluate coordination, timing, and muscle recruitment patterns. Biofeedback does not involve electrical stimulation—it simply provides feedback from your body, helping us fine-tune your treatment plan.

When Is Biofeedback Helpful?

We use biofeedback for pelvic floor dysfunction in a variety of cases, including:

  • When strengthening is needed, such as after prostatectomy, with pelvic organ prolapse, or in cases of urinary or fecal incontinence.
  • When relaxation is the goal, such as for painful intercourse (dyspareunia), urinary hesitancy, vaginismus, or dyssynergic defecation.

What Does Biofeedback Measure?

During your biofeedback session, we may assess:

  • Resting Recruitment – the baseline activity level or “busyness” of the pelvic floor.
  • Recruitment – how well you can activate (turn on) your pelvic floor muscles.
  • Derecruitment – how well you can relax (turn off) your pelvic floor muscles.
  • Coordination – how your pelvic floor responds during breathing, bearing down, and other functional tasks. We assess your control, timing, and ability to contract and relax on cue.

EMG biofeedback physical therapy is most effective when the insights gained are applied directly to functional activities. That’s why we incorporate what you learn during your session into your personalized home exercise program—ensuring real-world carryover and better long-term results.