All pelvic floor chair manufacturers boil with water. All pelvic floor chairs use magnetic fields to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles. Some manufacturers use euphonious names such as HiFEM, which are even protected under trademark law. In the end, the effect of all pelvic floor chairs is comparable.
Large or small chair?
The first visible difference is the size. The PelviPower is comparatively huge, like a dentist’s chair. However, it offers comfort functions and the patient can lie comfortably in it. Whether the magnetic fields have a better, worse or similar effect in a lying position as in an upright position is open to debate. We were unable to find any conclusive studies, and the psychological effect may also play a major role.
Most models of the relatively compact EMSella come with a “tower”. This “tower” can be used to control other devices from the manufacturer BTL, which is undoubtedly an advantage. However, the EMSella is inseparable from the tower, so you may always have to move both components.
The other chairs are also very compact and space-saving. One important difference: some models have castors! This means that the chair can be easily and conveniently rolled back and forth between treatment rooms.
Price / performance
The EMSella from BTL is sold in German-speaking countries exclusively to specialist users (doctors, surgeries, clinics) and is positioned at a higher price. Prices start from EUR 80,000.
There is a PelviPower model for doctors (“medical”) and one for beauty/fitness/wellness. Prices start from EUR 40,000.
The other pelvic floor chairs range from around EUR 10,000 to EUR 20,000. The providers differ considerably in terms of service. From delivery (to the kerbside or to the premises) to the guarantee/warranty (flexible on-site replacement guarantee or only statutory warranty) to marketing support (standard templates that you have to adapt yourself or ready-made, high-quality printed, personalized marketing material), various services are included in the price or not.
The QRS Pelvicenter, one of the pioneers of pelvic floor chairs, should also be mentioned. As far as we know, the chair is no longer actively marketed, but at the time prices were said to be in the six-figure range.
Selecting the supplier
Keep your eyes open when choosing a supplier. If you discover a “special offer” from an online retailer, you should take a close look at who is behind the offer and how reputable the company offering it is.
Imagine that the device causes damage in the event of a fault. In the best-case scenario, minor material damage because a cable burns. Who is then liable? In the worst case, the person sitting on the chair is injured. What happens then? Will your own insurance pay if you bought the device “somewhere” without checking it carefully? Isn’t it (grossly) negligent to put customers or patients on equipment whose origin you don’t know?
Even if pelvic floor chairs are usually not medical devices for good reasons: What qualifications and experience does the dealer have?
Medical device yes/no
EMSella, the PelviPower (medical) and the QRS Pelvicenter are medical devices and are therefore subject to strict regulations. Both for the dealer and the operator. This is the main reason why not all pelvic floor chairs are registered and approved as medical devices, as it simplifies the situation considerably.
A pelvic floor chair does not “heal”. A pelvic floor chair merely trains the pelvic floor muscles. It is officially a training device – similar to an exercise bike or an EMS suit.
medical systems GmbH is an officially registered and certified medical device dealer that is subject to the strict controls of the Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Health Care. We can and may trade in medical devices of all classes (from clinical thermometers to cardiac catheters). Some (but not all) of our colleagues are medical device consultants. We know how things work in the world of medical devices.
We are happy to provide detailed and free advice: info@medsys.at +43 664 3361177 (Whatsapp)