The Emsella Chair Offers a Non-Invasive Pelvic Floor Treatment for Incontinence, But Does It Work?
Kegels. No woman hears that word and thinks, ‘Wahoo can’t wait to do them!’ And yet it’s been drilled into our heads over the years how important they are for pelvic floor health. Whether or not you’ve had children, doing Kegel exercises helps to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which support your uterus, bladder, and rectum. Strengthening them over time can help give you better control over your bladder and bowels, and prevent incontinence — especially as we age. And yet with the never ending to-do list women have running through their mind, who can remember to do Kegels every day?
Well, what if we told you there was a chair you could sit on that would do them for you. That’s what the Emsella Chair purports to do: If you haven’t heard about this seemingly magical chair before — or saw Drew Barrymore demonstrate it on her talk show — it’s worth taking a seat (quite literally) to find out more about how it works and whether it could potentially benefit you and your pelvic floor. We consulted two Flow Advisory Council members — Dr. Jennifer Lang, an OB/GYN in Los Angeles, and Dr. Kelly Casperson, a urologist in Washington — to get their expert opinions on the Emsella Chair so you can decide for yourself.
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What is the Emsella Chair?
Created by medical and aesthetic equipment company BTL, the Emsella Chair is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to deliver thousands of pelvic floor muscle contractions in one session — it’s the equivalent of 11,200 Kegels exercises in 30 minutes. Typically a provider will recommend six sessions, scheduled twice a week. It has been approved by the FDA to treat both female and male incontinence.
Does the Emsella Chair actually work?
Research published in the Journal of Women’s Health Care indicates that the treatment is safe and effective for improving female continence and related quality of life for up to one year — and that compared to traditional pelvic floor exercise, it may be more effective. To date, five clinical studies have been published on Emsella: 95 percent of patients report an improved quality of life and 75 percent report reduction in pad usage.
Dr. Lang, who owns the chair and has incorporated it into her gynecological practice, concurs based on her and her patients’ experience. “If you look at a transvaginal ultrasound and look at the thickness of the pelvic floor, you can see dramatic improvement in one series of treatments,” she says. “Most people think there is a significant improvement in their symptoms,” which include leaking, urge incontinence, and pain during sex.
However Dr. Casperson has concern over women pursuing Emsella as a long-term solution to bladder issues, noting that it has not been supported by the American Urologic Association. “Women aren’t being evaluated comprehensively so they understand the root cause of their incontinence,” she says. “The chair is just one tool, and it’s not going to fix everybody.” Her recommendation before pursuing any treatment is to see a gynecologist or urologist to assess your pelvic floor. Dr. Casperson points out that the results — however satisfying — only last for up to one year. So the treatment would need to be repeated in order to maintain any minimized symptoms.
Who should use the Emsella Chair?
According to Dr. Lang, the Emsella treatment can help you if you habitually leak urine when you run or cough (stress incontinence), if you feel the need to go to the bathroom suddenly and frequently (urge incontinence) and if you are experiencing sexual dysfunction such as inability to orgasm. In addition to the positive psychological impact that lessening incontinence can have, “strengthening your pelvic floor increases the number of muscle fibers that contract when you have an orgasm,” she explains.
Who should not use the Emsella Chair?
Both Dr. Lang and Dr. Casperson recommend consulting a gynecologist or urologist before pursuing any treatment. Dr. Lang also advises that if your doctor informs you that you have a hypertonic or spastic pelvic floor, you are not a good candidate for Emsella. “Spastic means that your pelvic muscles are tight, not strong,” she explains. It is also inadvisable to try Emsella is you are pregnant, nursing or have your period — and if you have any electronic implants such as a pacemaker.
How much does the Emsella Chair cost?
Cost varies based on where you get the treatment: individual sessions are usually around $300, and the total cost for the recommended six sessions can range from $1,800 to $3,000. Although some doctors, like Dr. Lang, will work with patients experiencing financial hardship to make the treatment more affordable, Dr. Casperson also takes issue with this high price. “We want a simple fix, and this is an expensive fix that doesn’t fix everyone,” she says. “Nor is it recommended as a first line of treatment. My big concern is as someone who cares about your pocketbook.” Dr. Lang, who is also a fellowship-trained surgeon, counter argues that surgery for bladder issues can also be a large expense, especially without insurance coverage.
Is the Emsella Chair covered by insurance?
At this time, most insurance policies do not cover Emsella, and it is not covered by Medicare. You may be able to use your HSA or FSA to pay for treatment.
What are the side effects of the Emsella Chair?
The treatment is non-invasive and has no known negative side effects, though some patients report feeling muscle soreness afterwards, while others say they experience a tingling feeling during the treatment.
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