A gastrointestinal capsule and treatment methods utilizing such a capsule, the capsule including: (a) a capsule housing having a longitudinal axis； (b) at least one thrusting mechanism, disposed within the housing, the thrusting mechanism adapted to exert forces on the housing such that, when the capsule is disposed within a gastrointestinal tract of a user, and the mechanism is in an active mode, the gastrointestinal capsule exerts forces against, or in a direction of, the walls of the tract； and (c) a power supply adapted to power the mechanism. The gastrointestinal capsule is used in a method for treating a sensation of straining during defecating and/or for increasing a Bristol stool score of fecal matter of a subject by the gastrointestinal capsule being ingested by the subject and activated in a targeted zone of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject.
