How to Sit on an Emsella Chair: Tips for Beginners

How to Sit on an Emsella Chair is one of the most common questions patients ask when starting this treatment at Express Med Spa Chicago. The BTL Emsella chair is a breakthrough, non-invasive solution that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to stimulate deep pelvic floor muscles. One 28-minute session delivers the equivalent of 11,000 Kegel exercises—all while you sit comfortably, fully clothed, on the chair.

It’s FDA-cleared to treat urinary incontinence in both women and men, while also supporting postpartum recovery, sexual function, and general pelvic floor strength. But to achieve the best results, your sitting position on the Emsella chair truly matters. According to the International Continence Society, correct pelvic floor activation is key for bladder control and incontinence treatment.

But here’s the thing: to get those results, your body position matters.

According to pelvic floor specialists, sitting incorrectly can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment process by up to 40%. So yes, how you sit really does make a difference.

How to Sit on an Emsella Chair for Best Results

Let’s start with the most important part: your sitting position. 

Here’s what experts at Express Med Spa recommend about How to Sit on an Emsella Chair:

1. Sit Upright, Not Slouched

Keep your back straight and spine neutral. Avoid leaning back against the chair; instead, sit tall as if balancing a book on your head. Your posture helps ensure that the electromagnetic field targets your deep pelvic muscles, not your lower back.

This is essential for effective pelvic floor muscle stimulation and proper delivery of electromagnetic pulses to the treatment area.

2. Keep Feet Flat on the Ground

Both feet should be placed shoulder-width apart and flat on the floor. Your knees should be bent at about a 90-degree angle. This grounded position stabilizes your pelvis and helps keep you centered on the magnetic field so the pelvic floor muscles with thousands of contractions can be properly engaged.

3. Open Hip Angle

Slightly open your legs so your hips are in a relaxed, neutral position. This allows better access to the levator ani muscles, which are key in bladder and pelvic area control. Opening the hips also improves the ability of the treatment to stimulate your pelvic floor muscles and trigger pelvic floor contractions.

4. Stay Centered on the Chair

Your pelvis should be directly above the electromagnetic coil. At Express Med Spa, a trained technician will help you find this exact spot using a small pad that vibrates when you’re correctly positioned. This ensures the best possible outcomes from each Emsella treatment session.

5. Avoid Crossing Your Legs

Crossing legs or tucking them under your chair can shift your pelvis out of alignment, making the pelvic floor treatment less effective and reducing the intensity of muscle contractions delivered to the entire pelvic floor.

Learn more about our pelvic floor treatments in Chicago.

Benefits of Emsella Treatment

Once you’ve mastered How to Sit on an Emsella Chair, you can enjoy the full range of benefits this advanced BTL Emsella treatment offers.

Improved Bladder Control

Emsella is FDA-cleared for stress, urge, and mixed incontinence. Most patients notice fewer accidents and improved control after just a few treatment sessions. Each single session delivers thousands of supramaximal contractions to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve overall pelvic floor health.

Postpartum Recovery

Childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor. Emsella helps new moms strengthen pelvic floor muscles and reduce urinary leakage after delivery. It’s a great non-invasive solution to restore control and support pelvic organs after pregnancy.

Male Pelvic Health

Men may experience benefits too. Emsella supports prostate recovery and reduces urinary urgency and dribbling, offering a safe approach to pelvic floor rehabilitation for a wide range of pelvic concerns.

Enhanced Sexual Function

Stronger pelvic muscles can improve blood flow and sensitivity, leading to better sexual performance and satisfaction in both men and women. This is because Emsella stimulates your pelvic floor muscles in a way that traditional pelvic floor exercises may not reach.

Non-Invasive and Comfortable

No needles, no downtime, and no need to undress. You simply sit comfortably for 28 minutes, fully clothed on the Emsella, and let the machine deliver intense contractions that do all the work. At Express Med Spa, many patients read a book or relax during the session, making it a truly painless and simple treatment process.

Tips for Maximizing Emsella Treatment

Want better results from your Emsella sessions? These professional tips will help you get the most out of every visit.

Wear Comfortable, Thin Clothing

The treatment uses electromagnetic waves that need to pass through your clothes to reach your muscles. Thick denim or heavy fabrics may reduce intensity. Wear comfortable clothing like cotton leggings, joggers, or yoga pants for best results and to ensure the chair provides the correct level of stimulation to the entire pelvic floor.

Avoid Using Your Phone

Using your phone encourages slouching or shifting out of position, which weakens the magnetic field’s effect. Try to stay mindful and still to maximize the effectiveness of the Emsella pelvic floor session.

Don’t Contract Your Muscles

Let the chair do the work. You may feel a tingling or tapping sensation, but there’s no need to clench or resist. Stay relaxed to allow the pelvic floor muscle contractions to occur naturally.

Stay Hydrated

Muscles work better when they’re hydrated. Drink a glass of water before your session, and aim for good hydration throughout your treatment sessions.

Stick to the Treatment Plan

Most people need six sessions over three weeks, followed by maintenance every three to six months. Skipping sessions may delay or reduce your results. Sticking with your plan leads to long-term improvement in your quality of life and daily activities.

Communicate with Your Provider

If you’re unsure about your positioning or how it feels, ask your healthcare provider. At Express Med Spa, we guide every patient through their first few sessions to ensure optimal form and comfort for each Emsella chair treatment.

Common Mistakes When Sitting on the Emsella Chair

Even though the chair does most of the work, there are still some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid.

Slouching or Leaning Back

This shifts your pelvis off the target area, reducing stimulation to the right muscles. You need to sit comfortably on the Emsella to make sure the pelvic floor muscles contract correctly.

Using a Thick Cushion or Towel

Avoid placing anything between you and the chair unless instructed by a provider. The electromagnetic energy may not penetrate properly, reducing the power of pelvic floor muscle stimulation.

Shifting Position Frequently

Small movements can cause you to fall out of alignment. Stay centered and grounded the whole time to maintain consistent pelvic floor contractions throughout the session.

Wearing Tight Jeans or Heavy Zippers

These can interfere with the electromagnetic pulses. Choose lightweight, non-restrictive fabrics that allow the treatment to stimulate your pelvic floor muscles with full intensity.

Expecting Results After One Session

Emsella is powerful, but it’s not magic. It takes consistent sessions and proper sitting technique to see long-term change in your pelvic health concerns.

FAQs: How to Sit on an Emsella Chair

What is the best sitting position for incontinence?

For treating incontinence on the Emsella chair, sit upright with a straight spine, feet flat on the floor, knees at 90 degrees, and hips relaxed. This ensures the magnetic energy targets the pelvic floor muscles to contract effectively during your session.

Where should you feel Emsella?

You’ll feel gentle tapping or contractions in the pelvic area, between the pubic bone and tailbone. It may feel unusual at first, but it’s painless. You should not feel it strongly in your thighs or abdomen. If you do, your position may need adjusting.

Can you use your phone while on an Emsella chair?

Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. Using your phone can cause you to slouch or lean, which disrupts the treatment. It’s better to sit still and focused, or just relax and enjoy a quiet break clothed on the Emsella chair.

How to Sit on Emsella Chair for Best Results

Learning how to sit on Emsella chair the right way can make all the difference in your treatment outcomes. Proper posture ensures the HIFEM energy reaches your pelvic floor muscles effectively, helping improve bladder control, pelvic strength, and overall confidence.

At Express Med Spa, we take the time to walk you through every step so you feel confident, comfortable, and fully supported in your pelvic health journey.

Ready to Try Emsella?

If you’re dealing with incontinence, postpartum weakness, or want to strengthen your core from the inside out, Emsella might be the way to strengthen your pelvic foundation.

Call or visit Express Med Spa Chicago to schedule your consultation. Take the first step toward reclaiming your comfort and quality of life. We’ll make sure you know exactly how to sit on the Emsella chair and support you every step of the way.