The CMSlim™ HIPEX treatment is a breakthrough medical device belonging to the next generation of HI-EMT (High-Intensity Electromagnetic Muscle Training). It is tailored to improve bladder tone and control in people struggling with stress incontinence. What makes HIPEX so impressive is its ability to use a specific frequency range of electromagnetic waves to drive the pelvic floor muscles to maintain a contracted state for several seconds during a 30-minute treatment. This period represents an impressive 30,000 contractions of the pelvic floor muscles. After just six simple treatments, you regain control of your bladder.

Compared to traditional pelvic floor training, which involves voluntary muscle contractions, where the muscles have time to relax between each contraction because the central nervous system cannot signal a new impulse while a contraction is still active, CMSlim™ HIPEX creates a revolution. This innovative treatment produces supramaximal muscle contractions through electromagnetic impulses. These contractions are independent of brain function and occur at such a rapid rate that the relaxation phase does not occur. Over-maximal contractions generated by the CMSlim™ device utilise the full 100% of pelvic muscle capacity, 100% of time. This dramatically increases the physiological workload required for muscle strength and growth. CMSlim™ HIPEX is simply outstanding when it comes to improving pelvic floor health and strength.

What is stress incontinence?

Stress incontinence is the most common type of incontinence and can affect both men and women. It is also the most common type of incontinence affecting younger women. Stress incontinence occurs when the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and urethra, weaken and put pressure on the bladder and urethra to work harder. With stress incontinence, everyday actions involving the pelvic floor muscles, such as coughing, sneezing or laughing, can lead to urine leakage. Sudden movements and physical activity can also cause urine leakage.

WHY IS MY PELVIC FLOOR WEAK?

Weakness of the pelvic floor can be due to various causes, such as pregnancy, childbirth, surgery, menopause, obesity, persistent cough and asthma.

Is the treatment painless?

For most people, the treatment is described as unusual but pleasant and is definitely not painful. You will not have control over the muscle contractions as they will be automatically stimulated by the HI-EMT pulse, which can feel unusual. The intensity of the treatment increases gradually during the session, and each treatment programme includes stretching, warming up and cooling down to reduce muscle fatigue or discomfort. You won't experience strain during the treatment, and your muscles will probably feel used, but not overworked, for the next day or two.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

As with any medical procedure, there are potential side effects after a CMSlim™ HIPEX treatment, but these are very mild, such as a feeling of tightness. As part of your consultation, you will be given more detailed information about these before you decide to proceed with treatment. As a nurse with prescribing rights, Adrian Baker's training, expertise and experience will enable her to help you with side effects should you experience them.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO I NEED?

To over-stimulate a biological response for change, you need an initial series of 4-6 treatments over a 2-week period. It is recommended that you maintain the tone of your pelvic floor with a single treatment every 6 months to a year, with packages available depending on your needs.

WHEN WILL I NOTICE THE RESULTS?

Many patients will feel improvement in pelvic muscle strength and bladder control after just one treatment, but the best results will be noticed about a month after a series of 4-6 treatments given over a 2-week period.

HOW LONG DO THE EFFECTS LAST?

The duration of the effect can vary from person to person and depends on your medical history and continued pelvic floor exercise after the initial effects. Results may be permanent if you continue to exercise the pelvic floor muscles at home. Alternatively, the treatment can have an ongoing benefit with regular maintenance treatments.

ARE THERE ANY AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS?

Yes, although very simple, avoid exercise for 24 hours after a CMSlim™ HIPEX treatment.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I STOP TAKING TREATMENTS?

CMSlim™ HIPEX treatments are "permanent", but they can only be considered "permanent" if you are engaged in pelvic floor exercise at home to maintain the tone of the pelvic floor muscles or if you continue with maintenance treatments with CMSlim™ HIPEX. If you do not use the muscles, you will lose the newfound strength and tone. It's similar to working out at the gym to gain muscle strength (although faster) and then stop working out; your muscles will become weaker. Therefore, it is recommended that you continue pelvic floor exercises at home and/or book maintenance treatments with CMSlim™ HIPEX at least every 6 months.