Your pelvic floor muscles support your bladder, uterus, and bowel. When these muscles weaken, it can lead to a number of health problems. But how do you strengthen muscles that are inside you?
The pelvic floor chair is a non-invasive treatment option that uses High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to stimulate and strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. You simply sit in the chair, fully clothed, and let the technology do its work.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the benefits of the pelvic floor chair and whether it might be right for you.
Understanding the Technology: How Pelvic Floor Chairs Work
Pelvic floor chairs use a technology called HIFEM, or High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic technology.
HIFEM Technology Explained
HIFEM delivers focused electromagnetic energy to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles. It causes the muscles to contract rapidly and deeply, much like when you do Kegel exercises. In fact, a single 28-minute session is like doing thousands of Kegels!
The Treatment Process
So, what’s it like to use a pelvic floor chair? Don’t worry, it’s super easy. You remain fully clothed during the treatment, and the session lasts for about 30 minutes. The treatment is non-invasive, so nothing enters your body, and it’s typically painless.
Benefits of Using a Pelvic Floor Chair
Pelvic floor chairs offer a non-invasive way to strengthen the muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and bowels. This strengthening can lead to a variety of benefits.
Addressing Urinary Incontinence
Pelvic floor chairs can be an effective tool in managing both stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence.
SUI, which involves urine leakage during activities like coughing or sneezing, can be improved by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, leading to better bladder control.
Similarly, for urge urinary incontinence, where there’s a frequent and sudden urge to urinate, pelvic floor chairs can help reduce the frequency of these urges by improving overall pelvic floor muscle function.
Improving Sexual Function
Stronger pelvic floor muscles can translate to enhanced sexual experiences for both women and men.
For women, these strengthened muscles can increase vaginal tightness and sensation, potentially leading to greater sexual satisfaction.
Men experiencing erectile dysfunction may also find pelvic floor chairs beneficial, as stronger pelvic floor muscles can contribute to improved erectile function.
Post-Childbirth Recovery
Pregnancy and childbirth can significantly weaken the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor chairs offer a way to regain strength and function in this crucial area.
By aiding in postpartum recovery, these chairs can help restore pelvic floor muscle strength, addressing issues like incontinence and contributing to overall well-being after childbirth.
Who is a Good Candidate for Pelvic Floor Chair Treatment?
So, who’s the ideal candidate for pelvic floor chair therapy? Here are a few common situations:
- People experiencing urinary incontinence
- Women who want to improve sexual function or vaginal laxity
- Men dealing with erectile dysfunction or incontinence after prostate surgery
- Women recovering from childbirth
However, this treatment isn’t for everyone. Here’s when you should avoid pelvic floor chair therapy:
- Pregnancy
- Having a pacemaker, metal implants, or an IUD
- Any condition that makes you a poor candidate for electromagnetic energy
What to Expect During and After Treatment
The great thing about pelvic floor chair treatments is that they are comfortable and non-invasive. You get to remain fully clothed, and you can read a book or just relax while the chair does its work!
Afterward, there’s no downtime or recovery period needed.
Most people notice a real improvement after just a few sessions, but you’ll likely get the best results from a course of 6 treatments.
To maintain those results, you might need to come back for a maintenance session every 3-12 months. It all depends on your individual needs!
Common Questions About Pelvic Floor Chair Therapy
Here are some of the questions people ask most often about pelvic floor chair therapy:
- Is the treatment painful? No, most patients report feeling nothing at all.
- How long do the results last? Most people see positive effects for up to a year.
- Are there any side effects? Side effects are rare, but some people have mild muscle soreness.
- How much does the treatment cost? Costs vary, but a single session usually runs around £200, and a series of six sessions costs about £1200.
- Will my insurance cover the treatment? Coverage varies, so check with your insurance company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who cannot use the Emsella chair?
The Emsella chair isn’t suitable for everyone. Generally, individuals who are pregnant, have metal implants (like pacemakers or defibrillators) in the treatment area, or have certain medical conditions should avoid it. A thorough consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial to determine suitability.
Is the Emsella chair covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, Emsella treatments are typically not covered by insurance. Because it’s often considered an elective or cosmetic procedure, insurance companies rarely reimburse the cost. It’s best to check with your insurance provider directly, but anticipate paying out-of-pocket.
Does a pelvic floor chair work?
Many clinical studies suggest that pelvic floor chairs, particularly the Emsella chair, can be effective in strengthening pelvic floor muscles. This can lead to improvements in bladder control, reduced urinary incontinence, and enhanced sexual function. However, individual results may vary.
Why is Emsella so expensive?
The Emsella chair’s cost reflects the advanced technology it uses – High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy – and the research and development behind it. The price also factors in the provider’s expertise and the costs associated with running a medical practice. The specialized nature of the treatment contributes to its higher price point.
What do you wear on an Emsella chair?
One of the great things about Emsella is that you remain fully clothed during the treatment! You can wear your normal, everyday clothes. Just be sure to remove any metal objects, like belt buckles or jewelry, from the treatment area to avoid interference with the electromagnetic energy.
Putting It All Together
A pelvic floor chair can provide a noninvasive and effective treatment for several health conditions. People have found relief from urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and the aftereffects of childbirth.
But before you try this technology, be sure to talk with a healthcare professional who can evaluate your situation and help you decide whether this treatment is right for you.
If you’re looking for a way to improve the strength and flexibility of your pelvic floor muscles, this innovative therapy may be just what you need.