BTL Emsella® Chair Vancouver & Richmond, BC
Non-invasive pelvic floor strengthening. Fully clothed, 28 minutes.
Bladder leakage is common and often treatable. BTL Emsella® uses HIFEM® (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic) energy to make the pelvic floor muscles contract, thousands of contractions in one 28-minute session, while you stay fully clothed. Assessment and supervision by Dr. Charles Jiang, Medical Director, at our Richmond clinic.
- 28 min
- Per session · fully clothed
- 6 sessions
- Typical course, twice a week
- No downtime
- Back to your day straight after
- 28 min
- Per session · fully clothed
- 6 sessions
- Typical course, twice a week
- No downtime
- Back to your day straight after
What is the Emsella chair, and is it a Kegel chair?
Emsella, often called the Kegel chair, uses HIFEM® electromagnetic energy to make the pelvic floor muscles contract while you sit fully clothed. At RAAC in Richmond, BC, Dr. Charles Jiang first assesses your symptoms, such as stress or urge leakage or post-partum weakness. A typical course is 6 sessions of 28 minutes.
In one 28-minute session, BTL Emsella® produces thousands of strong pelvic floor contractions, more intense than voluntary Kegel exercises usually reach. You stay fully clothed and seated throughout, with no gels and no probes. Most people return to normal activities straight away. Many people notice a change partway through the course, and improvement may keep building for several weeks after the last session. Individual results vary.
Fully Clothed, Minimal Prep
Walk in, sit down, walk out. No undressing, no gels, no probes. Non-invasive and discreet from start to finish.
Thousands of Contractions per Session
HIFEM® technology drives pelvic floor contractions at an intensity voluntary effort rarely matches, working on muscle strength and neuromuscular coordination.
Physician-Led Assessment
Dr. Charles Jiang, Medical Director, reviews your symptoms and confirms Emsella is suitable before your course begins.
How does HIFEM® strengthen the pelvic floor?
High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM®) energy passes through clothing and tissue to reach the deep pelvic floor muscles, producing contractions stronger than voluntary exercise usually achieves.
Electromagnetic energy through clothing
The chair sends focused electromagnetic pulses through clothing to the pelvic floor area. Nothing touches the skin and nothing is inserted.
Strong involuntary contractions
The pulses make the pelvic floor muscles contract thousands of times in one session, more strongly than most people can manage with voluntary Kegel exercises.
Muscle strength and control
Repeated contractions are intended to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve how well you can engage them.
Gradual change over a course
Any change builds over a course of sessions rather than after one visit. Response varies from person to person.
Who is Emsella suitable for, and who should not use it?
Urinary incontinence is a medical condition — not an inevitable part of aging. Emsella is suitable for both women and men. Dr. Charles Jiang will assess your symptom type and severity to determine whether Emsella, or a combination approach, is appropriate for your situation.
Emsella may be considered for:
- +Women with stress urinary incontinence (leakage with coughing, sneezing, or exercise)
- +Women with urge or mixed urinary incontinence
- +Post-partum women experiencing pelvic floor weakness or laxity
- +Peri- and post-menopausal women with incontinence or pelvic floor atrophy
- +Men with post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence
- +Anyone seeking preventative pelvic floor conditioning
Emsella is not recommended for:
- –Pregnant women
- –Individuals with a cardiac pacemaker or any electronic implanted device
- –Individuals with metal implants in the pelvic region (e.g., hip replacement hardware in the treatment field)
- –Active urinary tract infection (UTI) — treatment should be deferred until resolved
- –A copper IUD (intrauterine device) or other metal in the pelvic area: tell us first so Dr. Jiang can check whether treatment is appropriate
Physician-Led, Private & Multilingual
At RAAC Richmond, pelvic floor health is treated as the genuine medical concern it is. Mandarin and Cantonese consultations are available.
Dr. Charles Jiang, Medical Director
Every Emsella course at RAAC is overseen by Dr. Charles Jiang. He reviews your symptom history, checks for contraindications and tailors the protocol to you rather than using a generic template.
Private Suite, Complete Discretion
Treatments take place in a private room and you stay fully clothed throughout. We understand this is a sensitive topic, and our team handles it with the same professionalism and discretion as any other medical visit.
Wider Pelvic Health Context
Leakage rarely has a single cause. Dr. Jiang can discuss whether hormonal factors or other physician-led options are worth considering alongside Emsella.
Mandarin & Cantonese Consultations
Our Richmond team includes Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking staff. Discussing pelvic health in your preferred language removes a real barrier for many patients.
What can Emsella help with?
Emsella is used for several presentations of pelvic floor weakness, in both women and men. BTL's clinical data report improvement in the following.
Stress Urinary Incontinence
Leakage triggered by physical exertion — coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercise. The most common presentation in women, especially post-childbirth and post-menopause.
Urge & Mixed Incontinence
Sudden, hard-to-delay urges to urinate, or urge and stress symptoms together. Emsella works on the pelvic floor muscles that support bladder control; Dr. Jiang will discuss whether it fits your type of symptoms.
Post-Partum Pelvic Floor Recovery
Pregnancy and vaginal delivery stretch and weaken the pelvic floor muscles. Emsella supports muscle rehabilitation without any internal procedure.
Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence (Men)
Urinary leakage after prostate surgery is a well-documented consequence. Emsella works on the remaining pelvic floor muscles that support bladder control.
Peri/Post-Menopausal Pelvic Floor Atrophy
Falling estrogen contributes to pelvic floor muscle loss. Dr. Jiang can discuss hormone assessment alongside Emsella as part of a wider pelvic health plan.
What happens in an Emsella session?
The standard course is 6 sessions over 3 weeks (twice weekly), each lasting 28 minutes. Little preparation is needed, and most people resume normal activities straight away.
Before Your Session
No special preparation is required — you may eat and drink normally
Wear comfortable, non-metallic clothing (light workout pants or loose trousers are ideal; avoid heavy denim or clothes with metal hardware near the pelvis)
Inform our team of any implanted devices, pacemakers, or active infections before your first session
Dr. Jiang will review your symptom history and confirm your candidacy at your initial consultation
During Treatment
Medical Assessment
Dr. Charles Jiang reviews your urinary symptom history, confirms contraindications are absent, and tailors the treatment protocol to your presentation.
Sit, Fully Clothed
You sit on the BTL Emsella® chair in your own clothes. The chair is positioned to align the HIFEM® emitter with your pelvic floor — no undressing, no contact with skin.
28-Minute Session
HIFEM® energy produces strong, rhythmic pelvic floor contractions. You will feel the muscles tighten and tingle, similar to an intense workout, and the intensity can be adjusted. Most people read or use their phone during the session.
Your Course and Review
The usual plan is 6 sessions, twice a week for 3 weeks. Dr. Jiang reviews your progress after the course and discusses whether maintenance sessions make sense for you.
After Your Session
Most people return to normal activities, including work and light exercise, straight away
Some patients notice mild muscle soreness in the pelvic floor area, similar to post-workout soreness; this resolves within 24–48 hours
Many people notice a change during the course, and improvement may keep building for several weeks after the last session. Results vary.
Results are not permanent. Maintenance sessions, often every 3 to 6 months, may be advised; Dr. Jiang will advise based on your response
No special aftercare is needed. If discomfort does not settle within a couple of days, contact the clinic
**Standard protocol: 6 sessions over 3 weeks (twice weekly). Individual results vary. Emsella does not cure incontinence; it strengthens pelvic floor muscles. Maintenance sessions every 3 to 6 months may be advised.
Your Questions Answered
What is the Emsella chair, and what is it used for?+
Emsella is a chair that uses HIFEM® electromagnetic energy to make the pelvic floor muscles contract while you sit fully clothed, which is why it is often called a Kegel chair. It is used to strengthen the muscles that support bladder control, for example after childbirth, around menopause, or after prostate surgery. Dr. Charles Jiang assesses whether it suits you before you start.
How many Emsella sessions do I need, and when will I notice a change?+
The standard protocol is 6 sessions of 28 minutes, twice a week for 3 weeks. Dr. Jiang may suggest a different schedule after your assessment. Many people notice a change partway through the course, and improvement may keep building for several weeks after the last session. Maintenance sessions every 3 to 6 months may be advised. Individual results vary.
What does Emsella feel like, and do I really stay clothed?+
Yes, you stay fully clothed. The energy passes through clothing, with no skin contact, no gels and no internal probes. Wear comfortable clothing without metal near the pelvis. Most people feel strong, rhythmic pelvic floor contractions and tingling, and the intensity is adjustable. Mild muscle soreness can follow, like after a workout, and usually settles within 24 to 48 hours.
Can men use Emsella, for example after prostate surgery?+
Yes. Urinary leakage after prostate surgery is one of the situations Emsella is used for. It works on the remaining pelvic floor muscles that support bladder control. Dr. Jiang will review your surgical history to decide whether the protocol is suitable.
Where can I get Emsella near Vancouver or North Vancouver, and is Mandarin or Cantonese available?+
RAAC is at Unit 110, 5580 No. 3 Rd, Richmond, BC, about a 3-minute walk from Lansdowne Station on the Canada Line, so it is reachable by transit from Vancouver. Patients also come from North Vancouver and across Metro Vancouver. Consultations are available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, and we are open every day from 9:00 to 18:00.
How much does Emsella cost in Richmond, BC?+
Emsella is offered at RAAC as a course, typically 6 sessions, and we do not publish prices online at the moment. The total depends on the protocol Dr. Jiang recommends after your assessment, so please contact the clinic for current pricing.
Who should not have Emsella?+
Emsella is not used during pregnancy. It is also not suitable if you have a pacemaker or another electronic implant, or metal implants in the pelvic or hip area. Tell us if you have a copper IUD, and wait until any urinary tract infection has cleared. Dr. Jiang reviews your medical history at the consultation and will advise whether Emsella, or another approach, suits you.
What should I wear, and can I have a session during my period?+
Wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metal near the pelvis, such as soft trousers or leggings, and avoid jeans with rivets or belts with large buckles. You can usually keep your appointment during your period. Some people prefer to reschedule because the contractions can make cramps feel stronger; tell us and we will adjust your schedule.
Is there any downtime, and what are the side effects?+
There is no downtime; most people go straight back to work or daily activities. Some people feel mild pelvic muscle soreness or tiredness, like after a workout, which usually settles within 24 to 48 hours. If anything feels unusual or does not settle, contact the clinic so Dr. Jiang can review it.
How long do Emsella results last, and will I need maintenance?+
Results are not permanent. Like any muscle, the pelvic floor can weaken again over time, so the change may fade without continued exercise or follow-up sessions. Many people find the improvement lasts several months. Maintenance sessions, often every 3 to 6 months, may be advised. Dr. Jiang reviews your progress after the course and suggests a plan that fits your response.
How is Emsella different from Kegel exercises or pelvic floor physiotherapy?+
Kegels are voluntary contractions, and many people find them hard to do correctly or consistently. Emsella produces involuntary contractions that are stronger than most people can manage on their own. It does not replace pelvic floor exercises or physiotherapy; many people continue their exercises alongside it, and Dr. Jiang may suggest a referral to a pelvic floor physiotherapist where that would help.
Can I have Emsella after having a baby?+
Often yes, once you have recovered from delivery and your doctor has cleared you for normal activity. Emsella is not used during pregnancy. At your consultation Dr. Jiang asks about your delivery, recovery and whether you are breastfeeding, then advises on timing. Sessions are done fully clothed in a private room.
Bladder Leakage Is a Medical Concern. Ask Us About It.
Book a private consultation with Dr. Charles Jiang at RAAC Richmond. Mandarin and Cantonese available. Discuss your symptoms in confidence and find out whether Emsella is right for you.
Related treatments
What our clinical team has written about this
How it works, who it suits, and what recovery looks like:
- EMSella in Richmond, BC: Pelvic Floor Treatment for Bladder Leaks
How EMSella's HIFEM technology contracts the pelvic floor muscles while you sit fully clothed, who it may help with bladder leakage, what the research says and the session plan.
- EMSella Richmond: How HIFEM Works for Pelvic Floor
A science-based look at how Emsella's HIFEM technology works for pelvic floor strengthening at RAAC in Richmond, BC.
Also offered at our Burnaby location
SkinArt MD offers the same treatment. If Burnaby is more convenient, our sister clinic can help.
#101 - 4378 Beresford St, Burnaby, BC V5H 0H6 · +1 (604) 639-2581
