HIFEM Therapy Chair
HIFEM stands for High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic technology. It is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses focused electromagnetic fields to induce powerful, supramaximal muscle contractions in targeted muscle groups. Using this technology in a therapy chair, focused stimulation directs electromagnetic energy to the target area and induces thousands of intense muscle contractions beyond what can be achieved through voluntary exercises. With the electromagnetic therapy chair, patients may realize:
Muscle Strengthening - the intense contractions strengthen and retrain the muscles, leading to improved function.
Neuromuscular Re-education - the electromagnetic field stimulates motor neurons, activating muscle fibers and improving the brain-muscle connection.
Improved Blood Circulation - Electromagnetic stimulation can enhance local blood flow, which can aid in muscle repair and regeneration.
How does the Electromagnetic Therapy Chairs Work?
Electromagnetic chairs use High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to stimulate deep pelvic and core muscles without any physical effort from the patient.
In a typical treatment session, the patient sits on the electromagnetic chair fully clothed. Lasting about 30 minutes, the chair delivers focused electromagnetic energy to the pelvic floor muscles causing thousands of powerful, involuntary contractions. These contraction re-educate the muscles, improve neuromuscular control, and enhance strength and muscle tone. This non-invasive therapy can achieve upwards of 10,000+ muscle contraction per session. In just a few sessions, patients may begin to experience improved quality of life through better pelvic floor function.
Conditions stem primarily from a weakened pelvic floor and may include:
- Urinary Incontinence - including stress incontinence (urine leaks when pressure is put on the bladder, such as during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise), urge incontinence (sudden, intense urge to urinate, often with leakage before reaching the toilet), and mixed incontinence (combination of both stress and urge incontinence).
- Postpartum Recovery - assisting in restoring strength and function to the pelvic floor muscles after childbirth.
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse - strengthening the pelvic floor to help support organs and reduce the risk of prolapse (the slipping or falling out of place an organ).
- Sexual Dysfunction - strengthening pelvic floor muscles and improving blood flow, it can enhance sexual function and satisfaction.
- Chronic Pelvic and Lower Back Pain - strengthening the pelvic floor can help with core stability and potentially alleviate lower back pain.
An electromagnetic stimulation chair delivers focused electromagnetic pulses to trigger strong, involuntary muscle contractions—especially in the pelvic floor. This non-invasive technology allows for a high number of muscle contractions in a short period, potentially offering faster and more significant results than traditional exercises (like Kegels). Most patients find the treatment comfortable, commonly describing the sensation as a gentle tingling or tapping.
Commonly Asked Questions about HIFEM Chair Therapy
What should I expect when treated with a HIFEM chair?
Each session lasts about 30 minutes. Based upon each unique patient's condition, a personalized treatment plan will be created targeting patient's desired outcomes.
Do electromagnetic chair treatments hurt?
Patients will experience pelvic floor muscle contractions during the procedure, which may offer a tingling sensation in the lower back, lower torso, and upper legs/thighs. Typically, patients do not experience pain with this therapy.
How quick is recovery?
Immediately. Patients resume normal daily activities after treatment.
When are results typically realized after treatment?
Patients may experience improvements after a single session, but results vary from patient-to-patient. Most results will improve over a few weeks during and after treatments.
Here are some supporting literature/studies:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8016513/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40352220/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32210031/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32146133/
Interested in learning more about the benefits of electromagnetic therapy chairs and HIFEM treatments? Request an appointment with Dr. Carter, MD of Recovery Rheum today!
