A leak when you laugh, run for the bus or lift a child can make everyday life feel smaller than it should. Better Pelvi for incontinence is a non-invasive treatment designed to stimulate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, helping many people regain greater bladder control and confidence without surgery or internal treatment.
Urinary leakage is common, but it should not simply be accepted as an unavoidable part of ageing, childbirth or menopause. The right approach depends on the type of symptoms, your medical history and the condition of your pelvic floor. At Willows Clinic, treatment is approached as part of a considered plan for your comfort, function and longer-term wellbeing.
How Better Pelvi for Incontinence Works
Better Pelvi uses focused electromagnetic energy while you sit fully clothed in a specialised chair. The technology prompts deep pelvic floor contractions that are difficult to reproduce consistently with voluntary exercises alone. These contractions work the muscles that support the bladder, bowel and pelvic organs.
A single session can create many thousands of pelvic floor contractions. This does not replace learning how to engage your pelvic floor properly, nor does it remove the need for clinical assessment where symptoms are complex. It can, however, give weakened muscles intensive, targeted stimulation in a way that feels manageable for people who struggle to identify or sustain a pelvic floor contraction.
During treatment, you may feel your pelvic floor lifting and releasing, with a tingling or tapping sensation through the pelvis. The intensity is adjusted gradually to a level that is effective but tolerable. There is no undressing, no recovery period and most people return to their usual activities straight afterwards.
Which Type of Incontinence May It Help?
The most suitable treatment depends on why leakage is happening. Better Pelvi is most often considered for stress urinary incontinence, where urine leaks during physical pressure on the bladder. Coughing, sneezing, laughing, jumping, running and lifting are common triggers.
It may also support people with urge symptoms, where there is a sudden, difficult-to-control need to pass urine, particularly when pelvic floor weakness is part of the picture. Mixed incontinence combines stress and urge symptoms and often benefits from a broader plan that may include bladder training, fluid and lifestyle guidance, pelvic floor work and input from your GP or continence specialist.
For some clients, the goal is not only fewer leaks. Stronger pelvic floor function may also support confidence during exercise, postpartum recovery, sexual wellbeing and a greater feeling of stability through the pelvis. Results vary. How long symptoms have been present, hormonal changes, previous births, body weight, activity levels, constipation and nerve function can all influence progress.
Why Pelvic Floor Muscles Become Weaker
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues at the base of the pelvis. It works continuously in the background, supporting pelvic organs and responding quickly when pressure rises in the abdomen. When it is weak, overworked or poorly coordinated, bladder control can be affected.
Pregnancy and vaginal birth are well-known contributors, but they are not the only causes. Menopause-related tissue changes, chronic coughing, repeated heavy lifting, high-impact sport, constipation and pelvic surgery can all place extra demand on this area. Men can also experience incontinence, particularly following prostate treatment or with age-related changes in muscle function.
Not every pelvic floor needs more strengthening. Some people have a pelvic floor that is overly tense or unable to relax well, which can contribute to pain, urgency or difficulty emptying the bladder. This is why a personalised conversation before treatment matters. Strength is only useful when it is paired with good coordination and relaxation.
What to Expect From a Course of Sessions
Better Pelvi is generally delivered as a course rather than a one-off appointment. Your practitioner will discuss your symptoms, goals, relevant health history and whether the treatment is appropriate before recommending a plan. Sessions are usually short, making them practical for people managing work, family life or recovery after childbirth.
Progress is often gradual. Some people notice changes in urgency, control or pelvic awareness during a course, while others need longer to see a meaningful improvement. Maintenance sessions may be useful for certain clients, especially where symptoms return during menopause, after a period of reduced activity or when exercise routines change.
You can support treatment between appointments by following any pelvic floor guidance you have been given, avoiding constipation, managing persistent coughs and taking note of bladder irritants that affect you personally. Caffeine, alcohol and carbonated drinks can worsen urgency for some people, but a restrictive approach is not always necessary. The aim is to understand your individual triggers rather than impose a generic set of rules.
When Better Pelvi May Not Be Suitable
Safety comes first. Electromagnetic pelvic floor treatment is not suitable for everyone, particularly people with certain implanted electronic or metal devices, such as a pacemaker. Pregnancy, recent surgery, active infection, unexplained pelvic pain and some neurological or pelvic health conditions may require medical clearance, a different approach or postponing treatment.
It is also essential to seek medical advice promptly if you have blood in your urine, pain when passing urine, recurrent urinary infections, a new or rapidly worsening bladder problem, loss of bowel control, numbness around the genitals or legs, or difficulty emptying your bladder. These symptoms need medical assessment rather than self-management.
Incontinence can sometimes be associated with pelvic organ prolapse, medication effects, diabetes, prostate conditions or neurological illness. A Better Pelvi chair can be a helpful part of support for suitable clients, but it is not a substitute for diagnosis or necessary medical care.
Better Pelvi and Postpartum Recovery
After pregnancy and birth, many women are keen to return to exercise but remain worried about leaking during a class, a run or a simple trampoline session with their children. The pressure to “bounce back” can lead people to push through symptoms rather than address them.
A measured recovery plan is more useful. Once you have appropriate postnatal clearance, Better Pelvi may support pelvic floor rehabilitation alongside gradual strengthening, sensible return-to-impact guidance and attention to core and pelvic alignment. Timing matters, particularly after a complicated birth, caesarean section or significant tearing. Your practitioner should always take your recovery history into account.
A Treatment Plan That Looks Beyond the Bladder
Bladder control is influenced by more than a single muscle group. Breathing patterns, abdominal pressure, posture, bowel health, hormonal changes and stress can all shape pelvic floor function. That is why the most effective care often combines a focused treatment with practical changes that fit real life.
For example, someone whose symptoms began after childbirth may benefit from Better Pelvi alongside gentle abdominal and pelvic support. Someone with chronic constipation may need to address bowel habits, as repeated straining can place ongoing pressure on the pelvic floor. An active person may need help modifying high-impact training temporarily while building strength and confidence.
The value of practitioner-led care is not simply access to a machine. It is having your symptoms heard, your suitability checked and your progress reviewed with a clear therapeutic purpose.
Can men have Better Pelvi treatment?
Yes. Men may seek pelvic floor support for bladder leakage, urgency or changes following prostate treatment. Suitability should be assessed individually, particularly where there is a history of prostate cancer treatment, surgery or other medical conditions.
Will the treatment hurt?
Better Pelvi should not be painful. The contractions can feel strong, particularly as intensity increases, but your practitioner can adjust the setting. Let them know immediately if you feel pain, discomfort or anything unusual.
How quickly will I see results?
There is no fixed timetable. Some clients report early changes, while others notice improvement after completing a recommended course and continuing with supportive habits. Your starting muscle function and the cause of your symptoms both matter.
Living with incontinence can affect exercise, intimacy, sleep, work and self-confidence, yet there are constructive treatment options available. A careful assessment is the best place to start, helping you choose support that is safe, appropriate and directed towards the life you want to get back to.
