Pelvic floor rehabilitation
Urinary incontinence
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence means a person leaks urine by accident. While it can happen to anyone, urinary incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, is more common in older people, especially women. Bladder control issues can be embarrassing and cause people to avoid their normal activities.
The ExMI™ device has been used successfully by over 2000 physicians as non-surgical, non-invasive therapy for the treatment of urinary incontinence and other issues related to pelvic floor muscle deterioration. It has been successfully used to treat urinary and fecal incontinence. In addition, vaginal tonus and additional indications have therapy protocols (data is available under confidentiality.) 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 bladder control.
Types of urinary incontinence
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- Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks as pressure is put on the bladder, such as during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. It’s the most common type of bladder control problem in younger and middle-aged women. It also may begin later, around the time of menopause.
- Urge incontinence happens when people have a sudden need to urinate and cannot hold their urine long enough to get to the toilet. It may be a problem for people who have diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke.
- Overflow incontinence happens when small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is always full. A man can have trouble emptying his bladder if an enlarged prostate is blocking the urethra. Diabetes and spinal cord injuries can also cause this type of incontinence.
- Functional incontinence occurs in many older people who have normal bladder control. They just have a problem getting to the toilet because of arthritis or other disorders that make it hard to move quickly.
What happens in the body to cause bladder control problems?
Located in the lower abdomen, the bladder is a hollow organ that is part of the urinary system, which also includes the kidneys, ureters, and urethra. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into the tube-shaped urethra. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass out of the body. When the muscles in and around the bladder don’t work the way they should, urine can leak, resulting in urinary incontinence.
Postpartum Urinary Incontinence
What causes urinary incontinence?
When you are pregnant, you produce hormones that stretch the muscles and tissues that support the bladder, the bowel, and the uterus. This group of muscles and tissues is called the pelvic floor. When your baby moves down through your vagina to be born, your pelvic floor stretches and it remains stretched for some time. The combination of hormones and stretched muscles means the muscles that control your bladder are weakened. This can lead to an accidental leak of urine
The muscles around the bladder, bowel, and uterus can be exercised, toned, and trained like any other muscle in the body. Doing this before, during, and after pregnancy will help prevent urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby.
Urinary Incontinence Treatment
Magnetic Pelvic Floor Chair – ExMI™
The ExMI™ device is fDa approved and has been used successfully by over 2000 physicians as a non-surgical, non-invasive therapy for the treatment of Urinary Incontinence 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.
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.