One in three women will experience pelvic floor dysfunction in their lifetime, yet most will never talk about it.
During Pelvic Health Awareness Month, that silence is worth paying attention to.
As a double board certified interventional physical medicine physician, I have spent more than 20 years focused on restoring function without surgery. Whether treating professional athletes or active individuals, the goal is always the same. Help the body move efficiently, without compensation, and without limitation.
Pelvic health is central to that conversation, especially for women.
The pelvic floor is part of the body’s core system, working in coordination with the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, and spine. It manages pressure, supports stability, and plays a critical role in how women move and function day to day. When it is not working properly, the changes are often subtle at first. A moment of hesitation. A shift in movement. Small adaptations that quietly become routine.
Over time, those small shifts add up.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, nearly one in three women will experience pelvic floor dysfunction, and many wait years before seeking care, often assuming their symptoms are simply part of aging or motherhood. They are not.
For many women, symptoms begin during key life stages. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that up to half of women report pelvic floor symptoms after childbirth, while the National Association for Continence notes that nearly one in two women over 50 experience urinary incontinence. Despite how common this is, it remains one of the least discussed aspects of women’s health.
From a rehabilitation perspective, pelvic floor dysfunction is rarely just about weakness. It is about coordination. Muscles may not generate enough force when needed, or they may not relax appropriately, disrupting how the body manages pressure and movement as a whole.
As care continues to evolve, we are shifting toward earlier, more proactive solutions that focus on restoring function. One of those advancements is EMSELLA®.
Here are six things women should understand:
1. It is neuromuscular re-education
EMSELLA® uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to stimulate the whole pelvic floor, retraining the muscles and nervous system to respond more effectively.
2. The level of activation is significant
Each 30-minute session delivers the equivalent of approximately 11,200 supramaximal contractions, creating a level of engagement that is difficult to achieve with Kegels voluntarily.
4. It is efficient and requires no downtime
Treatments are approximately 30 minutes, fully dressed, not painful, and patients can return to their regular day immediately. Our patients report improvements within a few weeks.
5. It addresses what women have been adapting to
Many women quietly modify their lifestyle over time. When function improves, they are able to return to activities without hesitation.
6. It is part of a comprehensive approach
The best outcomes come when treatment is paired with movement, strength, and education, reinforcing how the body is meant to function.
Pelvic health should not be something women address only when symptoms become disruptive. It should be part of how we think about long-term wellness at every stage of life.
Because when the foundation of the body is supported, everything else becomes stronger.
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