Pelvic floor rehabilitation
Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction
A man is considered to have erectile dysfunction if he regularly finds it difficult getting or keeping a firm enough erection to be able to have sex, or if it interferes with other sexual activity. At Hope Health & Wellness, we have a revolutionary treatment protocol that may help Erectile Dysfunction.
Most men have occasionally experienced some difficulty with their penis becoming hard or staying firm. However, erectile dysfunction (ED) is only considered a concern if satisfactory sexual performance has been impossible on a number of occasions for some time.
Since the discovery that the drug sildenafil, or Viagra, affects penile erections, most people have become aware that ED is a treatable medical condition.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as persistent difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection sufficient to have sex.
- Causes are usually medical but can also be psychological.
- Organic causes are usually the result of an underlying medical condition affecting the blood vessels or nerves supplying the penis.
- Numerous prescription drugs, recreational drugs, alcohol, and smoking, can all cause ED.
Common Physical or Organic Causes of ED
- Heart disease & narrowing of the blood vessels
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Hormonal disorders including thyroid conditions and testosterone deficiency
- Structural or anatomical disorder of the penis, such as Peyronie disease
Smoking, alcoholism, and substance abuse, including cocaine use - Treatments for prostate disease
- Surgical complications
- Injuries in the pelvic area or spinal cord
- Radiation therapy to the pelvic region
Common Prescription Drugs that can cause ED
- Drugs to control high blood pressure
- Heart medications such as digoxin
- Some diuretics
- Drugs that act on the central nervous system, including some sleeping pills and amphetamines
- Anxiety treatments
- Antidepressants, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants
- Opioid painkillers
- Some cancer drugs, including chemotherapeutic agents
- Prostate treatment drugs
- Anticholinergics
- Hormone drugs
- Peptic ulcer medication cimetidine
Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Magnetic Pelvic Floor Chair – ExMI™
The ExMI™ device has been used successfully by over 2000 physicians as a non-surgical, non-invasive therapy for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and other issues related to pelvic floor muscle deterioration.
Unlike any other existing therapies, the ExMI™ technology strengthens all of the muscles of the pelvic floor to help rebuild strength and endurance thereby, allowing patients to re-establish pelvic control.
This breakthrough technology builds strength and endurance back into the pelvic floor muscles. Think of it like this: the pelvic floor is the conductor of our urinary orchestra. Our urinary function is complex but needs to be in harmony.
Exercises
There are exercises a man can carry out to reduce the effects of ED.
The best way to treat erectile dysfunction without medication is by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises. These are often associated with women looking to strengthen their pelvic area during pregnancy, but they can be effective for men looking to regain full function of the penis.
Firstly, find the pelvic floor muscles. You can achieve this by stopping mid-stream two or three times the next time you urinate. The muscles you can feel working during this process are the pelvic floor muscles, and they will be the focus of Kegel exercises.
One Kegel exercise consists of tightening and holding these muscles for 5 seconds and then releasing them. Try to do between 10 and 20 repetitions each day. This may not be possible when you first start doing the exercises. However, they should become easier over time.
You should be able to notice an improvement after 6 weeks.
Make sure you are breathing naturally throughout this process and avoid pushing down as if you are forcing urination. Instead, bring the muscles together in a squeezing motion.
Aerobic exercise, such a jog or even a brisk walk, can also help the blood to circulate better and can help improve ED in men who have circulation issues.
ExMI™ Chair FAQ
What is treatment like?
Treatment is painless. The power/frequency levels are able to be adjusted to ensure comfort at all times. The patient sits fully clothed on the magnetic chair for 22 minutes in total. Once the treatment cycle begins the pelvic floor muscles start contracting and strengthening. A cycle on the magnetic chair consists of a 10 minute cycle, a 2 minute break and then another 10 minute cycle. Treatment appointments are scheduled every 30 minutes. Many patients read a book, play on their phone or bring some headphones and listen to music during the treatment.
Will Insurance Cover This Treatment?
Insurance may cover some of the services associated with this treatment. Our Insurance team will gladly verify your insurance to determine how much of the services will be covered.
How long is the treatment plan?
A course on the Magnetic Chair usually involves 16 treatments (sometimes up to 20-24) and goes for 8 weeks with 2 treatments per week. A minimum of one day gap between treatments is required – ie. treatments can be done on a Monday and then Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday. At the end of the 16 treatments most patients are experiencing at least 50% improvement in their condition.