You laugh, you sneeze, you jump on the trampoline with the kids… and you leak. Maybe it started after baby. Maybe it crept in around perimenopause. Either way, you’re sick of planning your day around the nearest toilet and wearing a liner “just in case”.
So you start searching for help and two options keep coming up: a pelvic floor physio, or the Emsella chair. Which one actually works? Do you need both? And which suits your life right now?
Here’s the straight answer, with no hype and no bashing anyone. At The Effortless Clinic in Gungahlin we see Canberra women every week who are weighing up exactly this.
Leaking When You Laugh, Cough or Jump? Here’s What’s Going On
Your pelvic floor is a sling of muscles that holds up your bladder, bowel and uterus. When it’s strong, it squeezes shut on cue when pressure hits, like a sneeze or a jump.
Pregnancy, birth, hormone changes, heavy lifting, a chronic cough and simply getting older can all stretch or weaken those muscles. The result is stress incontinence: small leaks when pressure goes up. Some women also get urgency, that sudden “I need to go NOW” feeling.
Signs your pelvic floor needs some help:
- Leaking when you cough, sneeze, laugh, run or jump
- Skipping the trampoline, the gym class or the big belly laugh
- Rushing to the toilet, or going “just in case” before you leave the house
- Wearing a liner every day, even when you feel fine
- A weak or disconnected feeling down below since having kids
It’s common. It’s not something you just have to put up with. And the earlier you deal with it, the easier it usually is to turn around.
Not Sure Where to Start? Why a Pelvic Floor Physio Assessment Is Worth It
Let’s be clear: a women’s health or pelvic floor physio is a great first step, and we’d never tell you to skip one.
A good physio can:
- Check how your pelvic floor is actually working, including whether it’s weak, overactive or not coordinating properly
- Pick up issues like prolapse or abdominal separation
- Teach you to do pelvic floor exercises the right way (lots of women are squeezing the wrong muscles)
- Build a home program that fits your body and your goals
If your leaks are new, severe, painful, or come with other symptoms, see your GP or a physio first. That assessment gives you a clear picture of what you’re dealing with.
We don’t offer physio at The Effortless Clinic. If you already have a physio you love, keep seeing them.
Doing Your Exercises but Life Keeps Getting in the Way?
Here’s the catch most women already know. Pelvic floor exercises work best when you do them properly, every day, for months.
And that’s hard when you’re juggling kids, work, school pick-ups and everything else. You forget. You’re not sure you’re doing them right. You lose motivation when you can’t see progress. Before long, the program sits in a drawer and the leaks are still there.
That’s not a willpower problem. It’s a real-life problem. And it’s exactly where Emsella can help.
Want Results Without Daily Exercises? How Emsella Works
Emsella is a chair. You sit on it fully clothed, and it uses focused electromagnetic energy to trigger thousands of strong pelvic floor muscle contractions in a single session. That’s far more than most women can do on their own, and you don’t have to think about getting the squeeze right.
What it looks like for you:
- Fully clothed. No undressing, no gels, nothing internal.
- Little to no downtime. Go straight back to work, school pick-up or the gym.
- Well tolerated by most women. You’ll feel strong tingling and tightening. Intensity is adjusted to suit you.
- A course of sessions. Usually booked over a few weeks, with your plan worked out at your consult.
Emsella is listed with the TGA, and many women notice they’re reaching for the liner less often as they go through their course. Individual results vary.
Want to know more about the chair itself? Read What Is Emsella? or see our Emsella treatment page.
Physio or Emsella? Why It Doesn’t Have to Be Either/Or
Think of it like this. A physio gives you the assessment, the know-how and the coaching. Emsella gives your muscles a big, consistent workout you don’t have to remember to do.
The two work well together:
- Seeing a physio already? Emsella can sit alongside your program. We’re happy to work alongside your physio.
- Tried exercises and plateaued? Emsella can add strength training your muscles can’t easily get from home exercises alone.
- Too busy for a daily routine right now? Emsella suits women who want to make progress without adding another daily job to the list.
The right choice depends on you: your symptoms, your history and how much time you’ve realistically got. That’s what a consult is for.
Leaks Plus a Soft Tummy After Baby? Think About Your Whole Core
Your pelvic floor is the base of your core. If you’ve also got a weak or soft tummy since having kids, it can help to look at both together.
Our Core & Pelvic Floor Reset pairs Emsella with Emsculpt for your tummy muscles. It’s worth asking about at your consult. You can also read more about bladder leak treatment at the clinic, or why women leak when they laugh or sneeze.
Ready to Stop Planning Your Day Around the Toilet?
Book a free consultation with Jacci at The Effortless Clinic in Gungahlin. We’ll chat about your symptoms, what you’ve already tried, and whether Emsella is a good fit for you, either on its own or alongside your physio. If something needs checking first, we’ll tell you.
No pressure. Just a straight answer.
Questions About Physio and Emsella? Quick Answers
Should I see a pelvic floor physio before trying Emsella?
A physio assessment is valuable, especially if your leaks are new, severe or come with pain or a heavy, dragging feeling. Many women see a physio and use Emsella too. We’ll talk it through at your free consult.
Can I do Emsella while I’m seeing a physio?
Yes. Emsella can sit alongside a physio program, and we’re happy to work alongside your physio.
Does Emsella hurt?
Emsella is well tolerated by most women. You’ll feel strong tingling and tightening through your pelvic floor, and the intensity is adjusted to suit you. You stay fully clothed, with little to no downtime.
How many Emsella sessions will I need?
Most women do a course of sessions over a few weeks. Your plan depends on your symptoms and goals, so we’ll map it out at your consult. Individual results vary.
Is Emsella only for women who’ve had babies?
No. We see women for leaks after pregnancy, through perimenopause and menopause, and from high-impact exercise. If leaks are getting in the way of your life, it’s worth a chat.
Individual results vary. This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have new, severe or painful symptoms, please see your GP or a pelvic floor physio.