Stress Incontinence
Leaks with cough, sneeze, laugh, lifting or exercise
Pelvic Floor Therapy with Emsella in Big Pine Key, FL: Non-Invasive Treatment for Bladder Control and Pelvic Strength
FDA-cleared, fully clothed treatment that strengthens pelvic floor muscles to improve bladder control and intimacy
Session Length:28 minutes
Series:6 sessions, 2x per week
Downtime:None
FDA Status:FDA-cleared device
What is it
When Bladder Leaks Quietly Reshape Your Day
The Problem and the Path Forward
Stress incontinence, urge leaks and a weakened pelvic floor change how you live long before you talk about them — skipping the boat ride, sitting closer to the bathroom, doubling up on liners, not running with grandkids on Bahia Honda. After childbirth, surgery or hormonal change, the muscles supporting your bladder lose tone, and standard Kegels rarely do enough. Many Lower Keys patients have lived with this for years, told it was just aging.
Emsella uses HIFEM energy to trigger thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor contractions in a single 28-minute session — far beyond voluntary exercise. You sit fully clothed while the technology does the work. Over a typical six-session series, the pelvic floor regains strength and neuromuscular coordination — most patients report meaningful change in leaks, urgency and core support, without surgery, drugs or recovery time.
Treatment Timeline
Session Length
28 minutes
Series
Typically 6 sessions
Frequency
2 sessions per week
Initial Improvement
2-4 weeks
Full Results
3 months post-series
Downtime
None - return to normal activity
What Is Emsella?
HIFEM Pelvic Floor Technology
Emsella is an FDA-cleared chair-based device manufactured by BTL Aesthetics that uses High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to stimulate the entire pelvic floor at once. A single 28-minute session delivers approximately 11,000 supramaximal contractions - the kind of muscular engagement you cannot achieve with voluntary Kegels.
The pelvic floor is a hammock of muscle that supports the bladder, uterus and bowel. When these muscles weaken from childbirth, surgery, hormonal decline or aging, the result is urinary leaks, urgency, pelvic heaviness and reduced sexual sensation. Emsella's electromagnetic field passes through clothing and tissue to trigger deep, coordinated motor unit activation, rebuilding tone in muscles that voluntary exercise cannot easily reach. Patients sit fully clothed throughout the session.
Emsella complements our broader functional wellness program in Big Pine Key, and many patients pair it with hormone replacement therapy when pelvic symptoms are tied to perimenopause or menopause.
Why Patients Choose Emsella
Real Strength, No Surgery
2000+ Satisfied patients
- 01
Stay Fully Clothed
No undressing, no exam table, no gowns required during sessions
- 02
11,000 Contractions per Session
Far beyond what voluntary Kegels can produce in a workout
- 03
Zero Downtime
Walk out and resume work, exercise or driving immediately
- 04
Whole Pelvic Floor Engaged
Treats deep muscles that manual exercises cannot reliably reach
- 05
Drug-Free, Surgery-Free
An option before considering slings, mesh or medication
- 06
Non-Gender-Specific
Effective for both women and men with pelvic floor weakness
Emsella vs Kegels vs Surgical Sling
How Options Compare
| Treatment | Mechanism | Time Per Session | Recovery | Typical Cost | Invasiveness | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emsella | HIFEM electromagnetic contractions | 28 minutes | None | $2,000-$3,500/series | Non-invasive, clothed | Stress and urge leaks, postpartum, post-menopausal weakness |
| Kegel Exercises | Voluntary muscle contractions | 10-15 min daily, ongoing | None | $0 | Self-directed | Mild leaks in motivated patients with intact technique |
| Surgical Sling | Mesh implant under urethra | 30-60 min OR procedure | 2-6 weeks | $8,000-$15,000+ | Surgical, mesh implant | Severe stress incontinence after conservative care fails |
Who Is a Good Candidate for Emsella?
Big Pine Key Pelvic Health
Emsella is designed for adults experiencing pelvic floor weakness, urinary leakage or post-childbirth changes who want a non-surgical, drug-free option. Most candidates can complete the full clothed 28-minute session and have realistic expectations about a multi-session series.
Ideal Candidates for Emsella
- Women with stress, urge or mixed urinary incontinence
- Postpartum patients (typically cleared 6+ weeks after delivery)
- Perimenopausal and post-menopausal women with pelvic laxity (consider pairing with hormone replacement therapy)
- Men with post-prostatectomy incontinence or pelvic floor weakness
- Patients seeking a non-surgical alternative before considering a sling
- Active adults whose leaks limit exercise, lifting or social plans
Who Should Wait or Avoid Emsella
- Pregnancy
- Implanted electronic devices (pacemaker, defibrillator, drug pumps)
- Metal implants in the pelvis or hip joint replacements (provider review required)
- Copper IUD (must be discussed during evaluation)
- Active pelvic malignancy or recent pelvic radiation
- Severe pelvic organ prolapse that requires surgical evaluation first - refer back to annual physical exam review
If you are unsure whether you are a candidate, our team will review your history and rule out conditions that need a different approach before recommending the chair.
What a Series Looks Like
A simple walkthrough of your Emsella session, fully clothed and comfortable from start to finish
Consultation
Tommy and Dr. Keifer review your symptoms, medical history and pelvic health goals at your free consult.
Treatment Plan
Tommy schedules your six 28-minute sessions, typically twice per week over three weeks.
Session
You sit fully clothed on the Emsella chair while HIFEM delivers ~11,000 contractions in 28 minutes.
Mid-Series Check
Tommy checks in around session 3 to confirm symptoms are trending the right direction.
Follow-Up
Three months after your final session, the team reassesses results and discusses maintenance.
Side Effects and Safety
What an Emsella session feels like, common reactions, and contraindications to know before starting
-
Common Sensations During an Emsella Session
Patients sit fully clothed on the chair and feel rapid pelvic floor contractions, similar to thousands of supervised Kegels. The sensation is unusual but not painful, and most adapt within minutes. Mild muscle fatigue or faint tingling can occur briefly afterward. -
Less Common Side Effects to Watch For
Some patients experience soreness in the pelvic floor or lower abdomen, similar to a workout, for one to two days. Urinary urgency or muscle tightness can occur as the pelvic floor strengthens. These reactions are temporary and consistent with muscle conditioning. -
Patient Safety and Contraindications
Emsella is not appropriate for patients with certain implants, copper IUDs, pacemakers, or who are pregnant. Active pelvic infections or recent surgical procedures may require deferral. We screen carefully and customize intensity to your comfort, coordinating with your providers.
Cost of Emsella in Big Pine Key, FL
Transparent, All-In Pricing
Emsella is generally not covered by insurance because it is classified as an elective non-surgical pelvic floor treatment. Florida Keys Primary Care & Wellness offers transparent pricing for the full series, with financing through Cherry and Care Credit available for patients who prefer to spread the investment over time.
Pricing in our market typically runs in the following ranges, finalized at your free consultation:
- Single session: $400-$600
- Six-session series (most common): $2,000-$3,500
- Maintenance sessions (frequency depends on severity, some patients come monthly): single-session pricing
Many patients also bundle Emsella with functional wellness consults or hormone replacement therapy when symptoms span multiple systems. To get an exact quote and discuss financing options, book a Free Consultation.
Why Choose Florida Keys Primary Care
Discreet, non-invasive pelvic floor strengthening in a private, physician-led clinic close to home
Physician-Led, Not Med Spa
Dr. Keifer oversees pelvic floor care as part of whole-person primary care
Engineering-Grade Device Selection
Tommy vetted Emsella over competing HIFEM platforms before adoption
40 Years Serving the Lower Keys
Established Big Pine Key practice formerly known as Big Pine Medical
Integrated With Hormone Care
Pelvic symptoms cross-checked against hormone, sleep and metabolic health
Stay Fully Clothed
Discreet, comfortable sessions with no undressing required
Real Results in Weeks
Most patients notice meaningful improvement within a month
Related Services
Treatments that pair naturally with Emsella pelvic floor therapy.
Medical and Preventive Care
Annual physicals, chronic disease management, walk-in sick visits and in-office procedures — physician-led care for the Middle and Lower Keys
Learn More
Wellness Treatments
Hormone Replacement, Medical Weight Loss, TMS Therapy, Emsella, Emsculpt Neo and more — physician-led wellness for the Lower Keys
Learn More
Regenerative Treatments
Hair restoration, PRP facials and PRP joint injections — physician-led regenerative medicine for the Lower Keys
Learn More
Aesthetic Treatments
Botox, dermal fillers, ADVATx laser resurfacing, Emface, Denza, Nirvana laser hair removal and physician-curated skincare — all under one roof
Learn MoreEmsella FAQ
Common Patient Questions
What is Emsella?
Emsella is an FDA-cleared chair that uses HIFEM electromagnetic energy to trigger about 11,000 supramaximal pelvic floor contractions in a single 28-minute session.
Does Emsella really work?
Published HIFEM studies show meaningful reductions in incontinence episodes and quality-of-life improvement after a six-session series. Results depend on baseline pelvic floor status and series completion.
Is Emsella covered by insurance?
Emsella is generally an out-of-pocket service. We offer Cherry and Care Credit financing and provide transparent series pricing during your free consult.
How does the Emsella chair work?
You sit fully clothed on the chair while HIFEM electromagnetic energy passes through clothing and tissue to contract pelvic floor muscles you cannot reliably engage with Kegels.
How many sessions do I need?
Most patients complete six 28-minute sessions, typically two per week for three weeks. Maintenance depends on severity, some patients come in monthly to preserve results.
Do I stay clothed during Emsella?
Yes. You remain fully clothed for the entire session. There is no exam, no gown and no undressing.
What are the side effects of Emsella?
Most side effects are mild and temporary - muscle soreness, tingling, brief pelvic fullness. Pacemakers, pregnancy and certain metal implants are contraindications.
Schedule Your Pelvic Floor Therapy with Emsella Consultation
References
- PubMed (PMID: 32129524) - HIFEM electromagnetic technology was shown to reduce urinary incontinence symptoms and improve quality-of-life scores in women across a six-session protocol.
- PubMed (PMID: 33052545) - HIFEM treatment produced sustained pelvic floor strengthening and reduced pad use at 6-month follow-up in patients with stress urinary incontinence.
- PubMed (PMID: 34532063) - Pelvic floor electromagnetic stimulation demonstrated improvement in both stress and urge incontinence symptoms with no serious adverse events reported.