Can An Emsella Chair Help Women With Urinary Incontinence?
If you feel like you have to constantly go to the bathroom or tend to leak urine when you are exercising, laughing, or sneezing, you may want to get checked out for urinary incontinence. This condition occurs when the bladder muscles suddenly tighten up, but the sphincter muscles aren't strong enough to close the urethra. Thankfully, there are ways to combat this issue. Take a look at why women are especially prone to urinary incontinence and how an Emsella chair could help.
Why are Women Prone to Urinary Incontinence?
Women have unique health events, such as menopause and pregnancy, that can affect the nerves and muscles surrounding the bladder. The pelvic floor supports the womb, urethra, and bladder, so if it becomes weakened—like after childbirth—a woman can be at risk for urinary incontinence. The urethra in women is also shorter than it is in men, so any damage to it is more likely to cause incontinence.
What is an Emsella Chair, and How Can it Help?
Emsella chairs are medical devices that utilize high-intensity, focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology. When a person sits on one of these chairs, the device causes the pelvic muscles to contract rapidly. These contractions help strengthen weak pelvic muscles so that you can better control incontinence symptoms. Using these devices is a non-invasive and pain-free way to address your incontinence. Some people may experience a tingling or pulsing sensation similar to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation devices (TENS).
An emsella chair can be a great alternative to Kegel exercises, where you relax and tighten the muscles that control urine flow. Some women have a hard time tightening the right muscles. In fact, one-third or more women and men who try Kegels exercises inadvertently work their inner thigh muscles, buttock, or abdominal muscles instead. Plus, it can take a few weeks to see the results of Kegel exercises; with an Emsella chair, you could see results much more sooner.
What Do Studies Say about HIFEM Technology?
A comparative study in the Journal of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reproductive Surgery found that HIFEM technology, like the Emsella chair, was able to see improvements in their quality of life compared to their previous answers from a short-form questionnaire. Patients didn't report any pain or adverse events. Improvements included a reduction in pad usage, a decrease in leakage triggers, and better urination control. Another study found that patients experienced similar benefits only after six treatments.
More studies need to be conducted since this technology is relatively new, but it's worth it to talk with your doctor about your options. Reach out to a natural health care provider for more information on Emsella chairs and HIFEM technology.