Pelvic floor health plays an important role in everyday wellbeing, but it’s something many of us don’t think about until we begin to notice changes.
The pelvic floor muscles help support the bladder and bowel, contribute to core stability and play a role in bladder control and sexual function. Like other muscles in the body, their function and strength can change over time.
A pelvic floor chair offers a non-invasive way to stimulate these muscles using electromagnetic technology — all while you remain comfortably seated and fully clothed.
But how does a pelvic floor chair actually work, who might consider using one, and what does a session involve?
Here’s what you need to know.
What is the pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues located at the base of the pelvis.
These muscles help support pelvic organs, including the bladder and bowel, and play an important role in continence, stability and sexual function.
A healthy pelvic floor needs to be able to contract, relax and coordinate effectively.
Although pelvic floor health is often associated with women and pregnancy, pelvic floor function is important for both women and men.
What can affect pelvic floor strength?
Pelvic floor function can change throughout life for many different reasons.
These can include:
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Menopause and hormonal changes
- Ageing
- Certain types of surgery
- Changes in weight
- Repeated heavy lifting
- High-impact activities
- Changes in general muscle strength and function
Pelvic floor symptoms are common, but their causes can vary considerably between individuals.
If you experience new or unexplained symptoms such as pelvic pain, significant changes in bladder or bowel function, or other pelvic health concerns, these should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.
What is a pelvic floor chair?
A pelvic floor chair, sometimes referred to as a pelvic health chair, is a specialist chair designed to stimulate the muscles of the pelvic floor using electromagnetic technology.
At OxyClinic Wellness, you simply sit comfortably on the Pelvic Health Chair while remaining fully clothed.
The chair generates electromagnetic energy that stimulates the pelvic floor muscles, creating repeated muscular contractions during the session.
There are no needles or internal devices involved, making it a straightforward and non-invasive approach to pelvic floor muscle stimulation.
How does a pelvic floor chair work?
During a session, electromagnetic stimulation generated by the chair causes the pelvic floor muscles to repeatedly contract.
It can be helpful to think of the process in four simple stages:
1. Sit
You sit comfortably on the Pelvic Health Chair and remain fully clothed throughout your session.
2. Stimulation
The chair generates electromagnetic energy targeted towards the pelvic floor area.
3. Muscle contractions
The stimulation causes the pelvic floor muscles to contract repeatedly without relying solely on you consciously performing each contraction.
4. Session complete
A session lasts approximately 30 minutes, after which you can continue with your day as normal.
The OxyClinic Wellness Pelvic Health Chair can stimulate approximately 11,000 pelvic floor muscle contractions during a 30-minute session.
Pelvic Floor Chair vs Kegel exercises
One of the most familiar ways of exercising the pelvic floor is through Kegel exercises.
Kegels involve consciously contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles and can form an important part of maintaining pelvic floor function.
However, pelvic floor exercises aren’t always as straightforward as they sound.
Some people find it difficult to identify the correct muscles, while others may struggle to perform the exercises consistently.
A Pelvic Health Chair works differently because the technology generates the stimulation rather than relying solely on voluntary muscle contractions.
Pelvic floor exercises
- Performed voluntarily
- Require you to correctly identify the pelvic floor muscles
- Can be performed at home
- Usually need to be performed consistently
- Require no specialist equipment
Pelvic Health Chair
- Uses electromagnetic stimulation
- Stimulates repeated pelvic floor muscle contractions
- Does not rely solely on voluntary activation
- Sessions take approximately 30 minutes
- Performed using specialist equipment
It’s important to remember that a Pelvic Health Chair does not necessarily need to be considered an alternative to conventional pelvic floor exercises. It may instead form part of a wider approach to pelvic floor health.
Who might consider a pelvic floor chair?
Pelvic floor health is relevant throughout life and isn’t limited to one particular age or gender.
Pelvic floor support for women
Women may become more aware of their pelvic floor at different stages of life, particularly around pregnancy, following childbirth, during menopause or as they get older.
Hormonal changes and changes to muscles and connective tissues can all influence pelvic floor function.
For people looking to focus more attention on this often-overlooked muscle group, a pelvic health programme can become part of a wider approach to strength and wellbeing.
Pelvic floor support for men
Men have pelvic floor muscles too.
The male pelvic floor contributes to bladder and bowel control as well as sexual function and pelvic stability.
Pelvic floor function can change with age and following certain medical procedures. Men who have specific symptoms or who are recovering from a medical procedure should speak to their healthcare professional about appropriate pelvic floor support.
What does a Pelvic Health Chair session feel like?
If you’ve never experienced electromagnetic muscle stimulation before, the sensation can feel unusual initially.
As the intensity of the chair is increased, you will begin to feel the pelvic floor muscles contracting.
Your session is carried out while you are comfortably seated and fully clothed, with no needles, internal devices or invasive procedures involved.
The intensity can be adjusted during the session according to your comfort and suitability.
What happens during a session at OxyClinic Wellness?
We’ve designed the experience to be straightforward and comfortable.
Before your session
Our team will explain how the Pelvic Health Chair works and discuss suitability before you begin.
This is also your opportunity to ask questions about the technology or what you can expect to feel.
During your session
You’ll sit comfortably on the chair while remaining fully clothed.
The intensity will be adjusted appropriately, and you’ll begin to feel repeated contractions within the pelvic floor muscles.
Your session lasts approximately 30 minutes.
After your session
There’s no need to change clothes or factor in a lengthy appointment afterwards.
Once your session has finished, you can simply continue with your day.
How many pelvic floor chair sessions do you need?
There isn’t necessarily one answer that applies to everyone.
The number and frequency of sessions may depend on factors such as the individual, their goals, suitability and the recommended protocol for the equipment.
Our OxyClinic Wellness team can talk you through the Pelvic Health Chair and discuss how sessions could fit into your wider wellness routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a pelvic floor chair hurt?
The treatment involves repeated muscle contractions, so you will feel the pelvic floor muscles being activated. The intensity can be adjusted during the session according to comfort and suitability.
Do you have to take your clothes off?
No. You remain fully clothed throughout your Pelvic Health Chair session.
How long does a session take?
A Pelvic Health Chair session at OxyClinic Wellness lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Can men use a pelvic floor chair?
Yes. Pelvic floor health is relevant to men as well as women. Suitability should always be considered on an individual basis.
Is a pelvic floor chair the same as doing Kegels?
Not exactly. Kegel exercises involve voluntarily contracting the pelvic floor muscles. A pelvic floor chair uses electromagnetic stimulation to generate repeated muscular contractions without relying solely on voluntary activation.
Can I use a pelvic floor chair after having a baby?
Pelvic floor health is particularly relevant following pregnancy and childbirth, but when it is appropriate to begin pelvic floor treatments after giving birth will depend on your individual circumstances and recovery.
Speak to your GP, midwife, pelvic health physiotherapist or another appropriate healthcare professional if you are unsure.
Who shouldn’t use a Pelvic Health Chair?
Electromagnetic stimulation isn’t suitable for everyone.
Certain medical conditions, pregnancy, recent procedures and some implanted medical or electronic devices may mean this type of treatment isn’t appropriate.
Always tell the OxyClinic Wellness team about relevant medical conditions, procedures or implanted devices before beginning treatment. If you’re unsure whether treatment is appropriate for you, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional first.
Pelvic floor health deserves more attention
We regularly exercise muscles we can see, but some of the most important muscles in the body are much easier to overlook.
Pelvic floor health can influence everyday comfort, confidence and function, and looking after these muscles can form part of a wider approach to maintaining strength and wellbeing throughout life.
Most importantly, pelvic health shouldn’t be an embarrassing subject.
Whether you’re simply interested in becoming more proactive about your pelvic floor or have begun to notice changes, understanding how these muscles work is an important first step.
Discover the Pelvic Health Chair at OxyClinic Wellness
At OxyClinic Wellness, we’re bringing together innovative wellness technologies in a comfortable and welcoming environment.
Our Pelvic Health Chair provides a convenient, non-invasive way to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles during a 30-minute, fully clothed session.
It sits alongside our wider range of wellness therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Multi-Light Therapy and our 4D Zero Gravity Massage Chair.
Want to find out more?
Visit oxyclinic.co.uk to learn more about the Pelvic Health Chair, speak to the OxyClinic Wellness team or book your session.
