When you notice your skin is dry, you apply some moisturizing lotion. When you notice you’re running a fever, you get some rest. Sometimes, it’s easy to assess what our body needs and fix the problems we are having. Other times, though, it can be much more difficult.
The muscles in your pelvic floor might not be something you think about, especially not when considering your body’s needs. However, these muscles handle important bodily functions we rely on every day.
As we age, or after major life events like childbirth or surgery, these muscles might lose some of their strength and functionality, leading to concerns like urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and other uncomfortable changes.
You have options for strengthening these pelvic floor muscles once more and reclaiming control over your life. At ThrIVe Wheeling, we offer powerful pelvic floor therapy in Wheeling using the revolutionary Emsella chair. Read on to learn more about the role your pelvic floor plays in your health, as well as what Emsella can do for you.
Understanding Your Pelvic Floor Health
Though we can’t see it, your pelvic floor is doing some heavy lifting inside your body. The pelvic floor is a grouping of muscles spanning across the base of your pelvis, which support your bladder, bowels, and (in women) the uterus. It contributes to sexual function while also assisting in bladder and bowel control (continence) in both men and women.
Typically, symptoms of a weak pelvic floor manifest in 3 key ways: urinary issues, bowel issues, and sexual dysfunction.
Urinary Issues
- Urinary incontinence: Leaking urine, especially during activities like coughing, sneezing, or exercising.
- Frequent urination: The strong, frequent urge to urinate, even during late hours of the night.
- Painful urination: Discomfort during urination.
Bowel Issues
- Fecal incontinence: Losing control over bowel movements.
- Constipation: Difficulty with bowel movements, including straining or a feeling of incomplete emptying.
Sexual Dysfunction
- Dyspareunia: Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Reduced vaginal sensation: Decreased sensitivity when engaging in sexual activities.
- Erectile dysfunction: Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
Treating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Dealing with weakened pelvic floor muscles can affect your daily life, making you avoid activities you used to love. Beginning the conversation about the symptoms you may experience can feel embarrassing, but it shouldn’t be!
These issues are incredibly common, and our team at ThrIVe is here to help and never judge. Just like how you wouldn’t hesitate to seek treatment for a sprained ankle, addressing pelvic floor concerns is simply part of taking care of your health and your body.
If you’re wanting a detailed breakdown of signs that you may need a treatment with Emsella, read our blog on urinary incontinence treatments for more info.
Pelvic Power Play: Emsella vs. Traditional Treatments
There are a few methods for improving pelvic floor strength, but what are the differences between them? Let’s break down the differences between Emsella and more traditional methods.
Emsella vs. Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises are the grandmother of pelvic floor strengthening methods. They involve manually contracting and relaxing your pelvic muscles to enhance the pelvic floor. Doing this exercise is often a time-consuming process, and can be difficult to perform correctly.
When you do a Kegel yourself, you can only contract your voluntary muscles. Emsella is a targeted treatment that is far more time efficient, providing thousands of Kegel-like contractions in a single session, contracting all your muscles, both voluntary and involuntary. This magnifies the impact of the contractions and the outcome!
Emsella vs. Surgical Procedures
There are surgical ways to improve the structure of the pelvic floor. This includes procedures like bladder slings and mesh implants. As with any surgical procedure, the process is invasive and always has the potential for complications.
Emsella provides nonsurgical relief that delivers actual results, all without anesthesia or the risks of dangerous complications.
How Emsella Works
The Emsella chair is a fairly straightforward pelvic floor therapy in Wheeling, and that’s one of its greatest advantages. During an Emsella treatment, you’ll sit on the special treatment chair (and as a bonus—fully clothed!) and relax as Emsella works its magic.
The Emsella chair will generate high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) waves that cause the muscles in the pelvic floor to contract. Think of these muscle contractions as Kegel-like, only with greater intensity. During a 30-minute session, the Emsella chair will stimulate thousands of pelvic floor contractions that are 7x more effective than Kegel exercises.
These muscle contractions aren’t painful at all, and clients often get lost in their favorite book during their Emsella treatment.
The Benefits of Emsella
There are some major benefits you’ll love when you begin a treatment plan with Emsella. Some of our clients’ favorites include:
- Noninvasive: Emsella is completely noninvasive. That means there’s no anesthesia, no incisions, and—best of all—no downtime. You can resume your daily activities immediately after your treatment, no reworking of your busy schedule required. The treatment is completely “walk-in and walk-out”.
- Time-efficient: A treatment with Emsella only takes around 30 minutes, making it a quick and time-effective treatment option for strengthening your pelvic floor muscles.
- Suitable for all age groups: From young adults to those who are more “seasoned,” Emsella can help address pelvic floor dysfunction at any stage of life, regardless of age.
Improved quality of life: After finishing an Emsella treatment program, you’ll notice relief in symptoms quickly. This includes relief from constipation, relief from incontinence, and a more pleasurable sex life. - Convenient and Comfortable: During your Emsella treatment, you can remain fully clothed throughout your entire session. There’s also no awkward examination before or after your treatment, either, so no one will be in anyone’s personal bubble.
Most of our clients experience maximum benefits when opting for a series of treatments. We recommend 6 treatment sessions scheduled over the course of 3 to 6 weeks.
Does Emsella work for men?
Emsella effectively helps women relieve symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, but men can benefit from this treatment as well. It strengthens the pelvic floor muscles, improving bladder control, reducing urinary incontinence, and enhancing sexual health, regardless of gender.
The pelvic floor in men supports the bladder, rectum, and prostate. When these muscles become weakened, men experience issues like urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, frequent nighttime urination, and premature ejaculation.
Pelvic floor therapy in Wheeling with Emsella can help men find relief from these debilitating concerns, enhancing their confidence, improving their bladder control, and helping ease sexual dysfunctions.
Your Emsella Treatment at ThrIVe Wheeling
Wondering what Emsella treatment looks like at ThrIVe? From your initial consultation to post-treatment care, here’s what you can expect on your journey to improve your pelvic floor strength and reclaim your day-to-day.
Private Consultation
Your care at ThrIVe begins with a one-on-one consultation with a member of our nursing team. This consultation is our opportunity to get to know you better. We’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and the treatments available at ThrIVe.
Based on our discussion, your provider will recommend a treatment option that aligns with your unique needs, potentially including pelvic floor therapy in Wheeling with Emsella. Depending on your symptoms, treatments like Emfemme 360 may provide more effective relief.
If Emsella is the right treatment for you, you’ll be able to move forward to the actual Emsella sessions.
Preparing for Your Emsella Treatment
The beauty of Emsella comes in part from how noninvasive the treatment procedure is. You won’t need to worry about fasting before your treatment or avoiding any medications. On the day of your appointment, we recommend:
- Wearing comfy clothes: Wear an outfit that is comfortable, and does not have any metal clasps or buttons on the pants. Under-wire bras are completely okay.
- Bringing something to read: Because Emsella uses HIFEM technology, you won’t be able to use electronic devices during the treatment. We recommend bringing a book or magazine to catch up on during your session.
- Rescheduling if you’re on your period: If you start your period—or are currently on your period—when you’re scheduled for an Emsella session, simply call us and have us reschedule for the following week.
The Emsella Treatment
Emsella is truly a “sit back and relax” experience for pelvic floor therapy in Wheeling. Your provider will take you to a private treatment room, where you’ll sit comfortably on the Emsella treatment chair. The best part? You get to remain fully clothed the entire time.
For about 30 minutes, you’ll experience some strong—but painless—muscle contractions in the pelvic floor area. This is the HIFEM technology working to stimulate your muscles. You’ll be able to relax, potentially catch up on some reading, and let Emsella do all the work for you.
Post-Treatment Care
Emsella does not have any specific aftercare. You’re able to complete your 30-minute session and jump right back into your normal routine. That means you won’t need to take time off work or reschedule any meet-ups with friends or family.
For a little extra boost after your Emsella treatment, we often recommend pairing it with retail AnteAGE VRS at home to enhance your results. Our medical team can provide more information about getting started.
Your Emsella Results
Everybody is different, and so is every body. Some clients notice improvements as soon as 1 week into their Emsella treatment plan, while some take a few weeks with several sessions spaced throughout.
Typically, clients experience most of the benefits of Emsella in about 2 to 3 months after completing their recommended treatment plan. This gives the muscles in your pelvic floor time to recover—completely—and strengthen. Some of these results include:
- Tighter, stronger pelvic floor muscles that help stop incontinence issues
- Improved sexual satisfaction and pleasure
- Improved quality of life, free from anxiety over incontinence issues
After you complete a treatment plan with Emsella, the muscles may weaken over time without proper upkeep. If your previous symptoms return, you can undergo maintenance Emsella treatments to restore your comfort and confidence.
From Seat to Strong in No Time
Stronger pelvic floor muscles aren’t just a dream—they can become a reality with one simple step: taking a seat! In just a few quick sessions, you can sit back, relax, and let the technology do the heavy lifting—literally!
Whether you’re tired of crossing your legs when you sneeze or just want to feel stronger from the inside out, Emsella might be your one-way ticket to relief. Book an appointment at ThrIVe Wheeling and get started on your journey to better well-being with pelvic floor therapy in Wheeling.
