What You Are About to Read
- How High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM®) technology works to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
- The scientific mechanism behind Emsella’s effectiveness for urinary incontinence
- Clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of the Emsella Chair
- How Emsella compares to traditional pelvic floor exercises
- The treatment experience and what results you can expect
Understanding the Revolutionary HIFEM® Technology
The Emsella Chair represents a breakthrough in non-invasive medical technology designed to address pelvic floor dysfunction. At the heart of this innovation lies High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM®) technology, developed by BTL Industries, a global leader in medical and aesthetic technologies.
How HIFEM® Technology Works
The science behind the Emsella Chair is fascinating. Unlike traditional methods for strengthening pelvic floor muscles, HIFEM® technology delivers focused electromagnetic energy that penetrates deep into the pelvic region. This energy creates a rapidly changing magnetic field that generates electric currents within the neuromuscular tissue.
When these electric currents reach the motor neurons in the pelvic area, they cause depolarization – essentially triggering action potentials in the neurons. This neural stimulation leads to powerful, involuntary muscle contractions that are far more intense than what could be achieved through voluntary exercises.
In scientific terms, these are called “supramaximal contractions” – muscle contractions that exceed what is physiologically possible through voluntary effort. While a maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) is the greatest amount of tension that can be voluntarily developed and held by muscles (typically for just a split second), supramaximal contractions go beyond this threshold and can be sustained for several seconds with the Emsella technology.
The Pelvic Floor: Why It Matters
Before delving deeper into Emsella’s mechanisms, it’s important to understand the role of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM). These muscles form a hammock-like structure that supports critical organs including the bladder, uterus (in women), prostate (in men), and rectum. They play a vital role in:
- Maintaining urinary and fecal continence
- Supporting pelvic organs
- Contributing to core stability
- Enhancing sexual function
When these muscles weaken due to aging, childbirth, menopause, or other factors, various health issues can arise, with urinary incontinence being among the most common and distressing.
Scientific Mechanism: How Emsella Transforms Pelvic Floor Health
The effectiveness of the Emsella Chair is based on three key scientific principles:
1. Deep Muscle Stimulation
HIFEM® technology can penetrate approximately 10 centimeters into the pelvic region, allowing it to reach and activate all the muscles of the pelvic floor. This comprehensive stimulation is critical for addressing pelvic floor dysfunction effectively.
2. Neuromuscular Re-education
For many individuals with urinary incontinence, there’s often a disconnect between the brain and the pelvic floor muscles. Emsella helps re-establish this neural pathway through consistent, repeated stimulation. This process, known as neuromuscular re-education, helps patients regain control over their pelvic floor muscles.
3. Muscle Remodeling
At the cellular level, HIFEM® technology induces both muscle hypertrophy (growth of existing muscle fibers) and hyperplasia (creation of new muscle fibers). This biological response is similar to what occurs during intense physical training but targeted specifically to the pelvic floor.
The Treatment Protocol: Science in Action
A standard Emsella treatment session lasts approximately 28 minutes and follows a carefully designed protocol with different phases:
- Awakening Phase: Initial stimulation to prepare the deconditioned pelvic floor muscles
- Stimulation Phase: Delivery of thousands of supramaximal contractions
- Relaxation Phase: Recovery period for the muscles
During a single 28-minute session, the Emsella Chair delivers approximately 11,000 supramaximal contractions to the pelvic floor muscles. To put this in perspective, that’s equivalent to performing 11,000 perfect Kegel exercises – an impossible feat through voluntary exercise alone.
Most treatment plans consist of six sessions over three weeks (twice weekly), with maintenance sessions recommended periodically afterwards.
Clinical Evidence: The Science That Proves It Works
The efficacy of the Emsella Chair isn’t just theoretical – it’s backed by substantial clinical research. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have documented significant improvements in patients with urinary incontinence after Emsella treatment.
In one notable study published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (2019), researchers found that 95% of patients reported improvement in their quality of life after completing a six-session Emsella treatment protocol. The same study documented a 75% reduction in pad usage among participants with stress urinary incontinence.
Another clinical trial utilized 3D ultrasound imaging to objectively measure changes in pelvic floor anatomy before and after treatment. The images clearly demonstrated strengthening and lifting of the pelvic floor muscles, confirming the physical changes resulting from the therapy.
Emsella vs. Traditional Approaches: A Scientific Comparison
To fully appreciate the scientific innovation behind the Emsella Chair, it’s helpful to compare it with traditional approaches to pelvic floor rehabilitation:
Kegel Exercises
While Kegel exercises are the first-line recommendation for pelvic floor strengthening, they come with limitations:
- Many patients perform them incorrectly, sometimes even contracting the wrong muscles
- They only engage a subset of pelvic floor muscles
- They require consistent, long-term commitment
- Results typically take months to become noticeable
In contrast, Emsella’s supramaximal contractions engage all pelvic floor muscles simultaneously and at an intensity impossible to achieve voluntarily.
Electrical Stimulation
Traditional electrostimulation devices use electrical currents delivered through intravaginal or intrarectal probes. While these can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles, they differ from Emsella in several key ways:
- They typically only treat tissue superficially
- They can be uncomfortable or even painful
- They require insertion of a probe, making them invasive
Emsella, on the other hand, works non-invasively through electromagnetic induction, allowing patients to remain fully clothed during treatment.
What Folks Want To Know
How quickly can I see results from the Emsella Chair?
Many patients report feeling some improvement after just 2-3 sessions, though the full benefit typically becomes apparent after completing the recommended six-session protocol. Ultrasound imaging has shown objective improvements in pelvic floor muscle thickness and positioning even after the first session.
Is the treatment painful?
No, the Emsella treatment is not painful. Most patients describe a tingling sensation and feeling the pelvic floor muscles contract and relax rhythmically. The intensity can be adjusted to ensure comfort while still delivering effective treatment.
How long do the results last?
Clinical studies have shown results lasting 6-12 months after the initial treatment series. However, just like any muscle in the body, the pelvic floor requires maintenance. Many providers recommend periodic maintenance sessions every 6-12 months to sustain optimal results.
Can men use the Emsella Chair too?
Yes! While often associated with women’s health, the Emsella Chair is FDA-cleared for treating urinary incontinence in both men and women. It’s particularly beneficial for men experiencing incontinence after prostate surgery.
Is there any downtime after treatment?
One of the significant advantages of Emsella is that there’s absolutely no downtime. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately after treatment, including exercise and sexual activity.
Who is not a candidate for Emsella treatment?
The electromagnetic technology means Emsella is contraindicated for people with metal implants in the treatment area, pacemakers, or other implanted electronic devices. It’s also not suitable for pregnant women or patients with certain medical conditions like epilepsy or active infections.
The Biology Behind the Benefits
Beyond treating urinary incontinence, the scientific mechanism of Emsella provides additional health benefits that stem directly from stronger pelvic floor muscles:
Enhanced Sexual Function
The pelvic floor muscles play a crucial role in sexual function for both men and women. Scientific studies have documented improvements in sexual satisfaction following Emsella treatment due to:
- Increased blood flow to the genital region
- Improved muscle tone and sensation
- Enhanced neuromuscular control
Improved Core Stability
The pelvic floor is an integral part of the core muscle system. By strengthening these muscles, Emsella can contribute to better overall core stability, potentially reducing lower back pain and improving posture.
Prevention of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Strong pelvic floor muscles help maintain the proper position of pelvic organs. By strengthening these supporting muscles, Emsella may help prevent or improve mild cases of pelvic organ prolapse, where organs shift from their normal position.
The Scientific Evolution of Pelvic Floor Treatment
The development of HIFEM® technology represents a significant evolution in how we approach pelvic floor health. Traditional treatments focused primarily on managing symptoms rather than addressing the underlying muscular weakness. Emsella changes this paradigm by directly targeting and strengthening the muscles themselves.
This approach aligns with the growing scientific understanding that pelvic floor dysfunction is often a neuromuscular issue requiring both muscle strengthening and re-education of the neural pathways that control these muscles.
Wrapping It Up: The Science-Backed Revolution in Pelvic Health
The science behind the Emsella Chair represents a true breakthrough in pelvic floor health management. By harnessing the power of HIFEM® technology to deliver thousands of supramaximal contractions, Emsella offers a non-invasive, painless, and highly effective solution for urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction.
At Alpha Rejuvenation, we’re proud to offer this cutting-edge technology backed by rigorous scientific research. Whether you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, experiencing changes after childbirth, or simply seeking to strengthen your pelvic floor as a preventative measure, the Emsella Chair provides a scientifically sound solution with proven results.
The days of suffering in silence or relying solely on absorbent products are in the past. Modern science has given us a better way forward, and it comes in the form of a chair that’s changing lives one session at a time.
Resources
- Samuels, J. B., Pezzella, A., Berenholz, J., & Alinsod, R. (2019). Safety and Efficacy of a Non-Invasive High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Field (HIFEM) Device for Treatment of Urinary Incontinence and Enhancement of Quality of Life. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 51(7), 760-766.
- Kinney, B. M., & Lozanova, P. (2019). High intensity focused electromagnetic therapy evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging: Safety and efficacy study of a dual tissue effect based non-invasive abdominal body shaping. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 51(1), 40-46.
- Jacob, C., & Paskova, K. (2018). Safety and efficacy of a novel high-intensity focused electromagnetic technology device for noninvasive abdominal body shaping. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 17(5), 783-787.
“The revolutionary aspect of HIFEM technology is its ability to induce thousands of supramaximal contractions in a single session – something impossible to achieve through voluntary exercise alone.”
“Scientific evidence confirms what patients experience: a significant improvement in quality of life through the restoration of proper pelvic floor function with a completely non-invasive, painless therapy.”
