Why pelvic-floor control includes relaxation as well as contraction

A well-functioning pelvic floor can contract when support is needed and relax when release is needed. More squeezing is not automatically the right answer to every pelvic symptom.

These muscles support the pelvic organs and contribute to continence. They also need to coordinate with breathing, movement and normal emptying. A person can have symptoms related to weakness, poor coordination, difficulty relaxing, or more than one factor.

BTL's EMSELLA teaching describes stimulation and rest phases. The device activates muscles; an assessment establishes whether strengthening is the right target. A contraction count describes device activity, not how accurately someone can perform a voluntary exercise or how their symptoms will change.

Tell the clinician about pelvic pain, painful intimacy, difficulty starting or completing urination, bowel-emptying problems and whether exercises make symptoms worse. These details can change the recommendation. They should not simply be interpreted as proof of a weak pelvic floor.

Pelvic-floor physiotherapy can assess contraction, release and coordination and teach a personalised programme. Depending on the findings, treatment may focus on strengthening, relaxation, bladder strategies or a combination. EMSELLA may form part of a broader plan for suitable patients.

During stimulation, communicate discomfort promptly so treatment can be paused or adjusted. There is no need to push through pain to prove that a session is working.

No payment upfront. Start with a complimentary consultation and screening at ¹EM Prahran. Nothing is collected at your first visit. If you proceed, payment is collected from your second visit onwards, with your plan and full costs explained and agreed before treatment. No obligation to proceed. Suitability and results vary.

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