At Brightside Aesthetics, we believe all our patients deserve to live each day with purpose. But when the symptoms and conditions related to weakened pelvic floor muscles take over your health, finding fulfillment in your favorite activities can sometimes feel impossible.
However, with pelvic floor therapy treatments like Emsella, side effects like urinary incontinence and lower back pain don’t have to be a part of your story. Our experts want to help you restore function, so you can get back to the things you love most.
Continue reading to learn about the many uses of Emsella near West Des Moines. If you’re ready to take back control of your pelvic floor health, give us a call or request an appointment online.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor encompasses a group of muscles that support the organs in your pelvis, including the bowels, bladder, and reproductive organs. These muscles form the base of your core and stretch from your pubic bone to your tailbone.
Along with holding key organs in place, the pelvic floor muscles carry out a variety of bodily functions, including:
- Squeeze and relax to help you urinate and pass stool.
- Increase blood flow and vaginal contractions during sex and orgasm (female).
- Create an erection and support ejaculation (male).
- Assist in vaginal delivery during childbirth (female).
What is pelvic floor dysfunction?
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the muscles in the pelvic floor don’t relax and contract as they’re supposed to. Though experts haven’t identified an exact cause of pelvic floor dysfunction, the condition can arise for a variety of reasons, including:
- Injuries – Falling from a high place or being injured in a traumatic accident.
- Aging – Pelvic floor muscles weaken gradually over time.
- Overuse – Straining to use the restroom.
- Pregnancy – Childbirth, especially difficult deliveries.
- Surgery – Ranges from hysterectomies to prostatectomies.
Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause a host of symptoms that vary from patient to patient. Here’s a brief overview of some of the most common side effects and conditions associated with pelvic floor dysfunction.
Urinary Incontinence
Characterized by a loss of bladder control, urinary incontinence can cause frequent bathroom visits and anxiety about having an accident in public.
At Brightside Aesthetics, we’ve treated patients with the following forms of urinary incontinence:
- Stress incontinence – Urine leakage after placing pressure on the bladder, usually through activities like laughing, sneezing, jumping, and lifting heavy objects.
- Urge incontinence – A sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate, often followed by leakage. May need to use the restroom frequently throughout the night.
- Mixed incontinence – Multiple forms of urinary incontinence that occur at once. Most often a combination of stress and urge incontinence.
Our experts want to assure you that urinary incontinence is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. With over 50% of adult women coping with the condition at some point in their lives, urinary incontinence is far more common than most patients realize.
Constipation
Anismus, or a specific form of constipation, occurs when the pelvic floor muscles cannot properly pass a bowel movement. This condition causes stool to harden and impact in your bowels, making it difficult to pass later on.
Researchers believe that as many as 50% of people with chronic constipation have pelvic floor dysfunction. Other symptoms of this form of constipation include infrequent bowel movements, straining to use the restroom, and feeling as though you haven’t cleared everything from your system.
Chronic Back Pain
Coping with chronic pain that won’t go away despite trying every remedy? Weakened pelvic floor muscles may be to blame for both your lower back and pelvic pain.
As a part of the core muscle group, the pelvic floor supports and stabilizes the torso. But if these muscles do not function properly, it can cause tension, strain, and weakness that may resist physical therapy efforts.
Sexual Dysfunction
Along with physical wellness, weakened pelvic floor muscles can also contribute to intimate health issues.
After changes like childbirth and menopause, women can develop underactive pelvic floor muscles, leading to decreased sensation and enjoyment during sexual activities. This can also cause pain during intercourse and delayed arousal.
These intimacy issues also impact men, making it more difficult to get and maintain an erection. Men may have a difficult time achieving an orgasm as well.
Treat Pelvic Floor Dysfunction With Emsella
Though pelvic floor dysfunction can make day-to-day activities more difficult than before, you can take back control of your health and wellness with Emsella near West Des Moines.
Using high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy, Emsella re-educates and strengthens weakened pelvic floor muscles. This noninvasive treatment stimulates pelvic floor muscle contractions, similar to Kegel exercises, to reduce the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. In one 30-minute treatment session, Emsella stimulates the equivalent of up to 12,000 Kegels, all while you remain comfortable and fully clothed.
Emsella Treatment Process
You deserve to run with your children, enjoy a night out, and spend time with loved ones without having to cope with the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Our team of experts wants to help you enhance your well-being, and with Emsella near West Des Moines, you no longer have to live with discomfort or embarrassment.
Here’s what you can expect from the Emsella treatment process at Brightside Aesthetics.
Initial Consultation
You first sit down for a consultation with one of our knowledgeable providers. They listen to your health concerns with empathy, asking you to describe your symptoms and how pelvic floor dysfunction affects your daily life.
During your consultation, you may also discuss your medical history and medications you currently take. This information helps your provider rule out any other potential health concerns. They may also have you contact your primary care physician to confirm that Emsella near West Des Moines can safely and effectively treat your condition.
If your provider determines that Emsella could be a solution for your symptoms, you work together to create a treatment plan that suits your needs. This plan outlines your recommended number of treatments and your appointment schedule.
We highly encourage you to use this consultation as an opportunity to ask questions and voice any concerns you may have about the Emsella process. Treating your initial appointment as an open conversation helps you enter your treatment feeling confident in your decision.
Emsella Treatment
At the start of each treatment session, one of our providers leads you to our Emsella room. Here, they direct you to remove all jewelry, metal, and electronic devices to avoid interfering with the machine’s technology. We also recommend you avoid wearing clothing with thick fabric and metal pieces.
Once treatment begins, you sit on our Emsella chair fully clothed as the device delivers electromagnetic pulses to your pelvic muscles. You may feel a slight tingling or buzzing sensation at this time, but most patients describe Emsella as a comfortable, pain-free experience.
Lasting Results
Many patients notice alleviated back pain, improved urinary incontinence, reduced constipation, and increased sensation after completing their full Emsella treatment plan. We recommend patients undergo anywhere from 4 to 6 Emsella sessions for optimal health outcomes.
Emsella results typically last 6 to 12 months. Our experts may recommend regular maintenance sessions to prolong your improvements.
Living an active lifestyle can also help maintain strengthened pelvic floor muscles. Our experts can provide dietary and exercise recommendations during your initial consultation and regular appointments. We also recommend performing Kegel exercises in between treatment sessions.
Providing You With Essential Answers
Still searching for answers before committing to Emsella? We’ve provided some additional details to inform your treatment decision.
Who is not a good candidate for Emsella?
Although Emsella near West Des Moines has helped countless patients overcome the symptoms related to pelvic floor dysfunction, it may not be the best option for everyone.
We recommend avoiding Emsella if you have a metal or electronic implant, including an IUD, pacemaker, or hip replacement. Be sure to consult your Brightside Aesthetics provider on alternative treatments if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How does Emsella support weight loss?
If weakened pelvic floor muscles get in the way of your weight loss efforts, Emsella near West Des Moines can help you exercise more efficiently and achieve your goals.
A stronger pelvic floor can reduce discomfort during physical activity. This is especially true for women who have given birth and experience leakage while exercising. Emsella can also strengthen your surrounding core muscles, helping you increase stability and abdominal engagement.
We recommend reaching out to one of our providers to learn how Emsella and semaglutide injections can support your weight loss journey.
Is there any downtime associated with Emsella?
No! Emsella is an entirely noninvasive pelvic floor therapy treatment that involves zero downtime, incisions, or recovery.
You may feel mild muscle soreness in the hours after each Emsella treatment session, but you can otherwise return to your busy schedule right after your appointment.
Can I receive Emsella on my period?
Yes, you can undergo Emsella treatments while on your period, but you may be more sensitive during menstruation. Your provider may recommend scheduling your Emsella treatment session around your menstrual cycle, depending on the severity of your monthly symptoms.
Strengthen Your Pelvic Floor at Brightside Aesthetics
Weakened pelvic floor muscles can take away your independence. Steal your confidence. Make your favorite activities less enjoyable. But with Emsella near West Des Moines, you have the power to overcome pelvic floor dysfunction and put your well-being first.
Lasting health solutions start at Brightside Aesthetics. Take back control of your health by giving our team a call or requesting an appointment online.
Want to learn how Emsella can improve vaginal atrophy? Head over to our blog for more information.
