At his wellness centre, Dr Lowell Chai shared an eye-opening insight about taboo illnesses and diseases that people don’t talk about. Among them, those suffering from urinary incontinence visit LaVie Wellness Centre in Kuching for treatment.
Although this condition is common, many people refrain from discussing it due to embarrassment. However, the number of individuals affected remains significant.
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, a condition that can be distressing. Moreover, many people avoid seeking medical treatment when suffering from this condition.
According to Dr Lowell, urinary incontinence can occur for many reasons, but the main cause is weak pelvic floor muscles. Therefore, it is vital to have strong muscles and to strengthen the area.
“Patients can perform Kegel exercises — pelvic floor muscle exercises — to strengthen the muscles. However, there are times when patients do the exercises incorrectly.
“Another reason for weak pelvic floor muscles is obesity. The more weight a person carries, the more stress it puts on the pelvic floor muscles. That is why childbirth can also affect the muscles, as it places additional weight on the body.”
Meanwhile, aging also plays a significant role in weakening the muscles. However, Dr Lowell advises those in this category not to succumb to age and to continue maintaining their bodies by regularly exercising and managing their diet effectively.
Apart from urinary incontinence, weak pelvic floor muscles can also lead to vaginal collapse, uterine prolapse, and cervical prolapse.
“That is why it is very important to have strong pelvic floor muscles, as they help hold the reproductive organs in place.”
Prevention is better than cure
At his wellness centre, he uses a machine called EMSELLA, which helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and can aid in treating urinary incontinence and improving sexual health.
Though it can be used as a treatment, the machine can also serve as a preventive method. Dr Lowell further explained that this machine is not only for females but can also benefit males.
“Males with urinary leakage, erectile dysfunction, and poor ejaculation can also benefit from EMSELLA. It only takes 28 minutes of sitting on the machine to achieve the equivalent of 11,000 Kegel repetitions.”
He also revealed that the machine not only helps contract the muscles, but it also stimulates cell growth.
“What it does is not only thicken your muscles but also help recover your neurons. It aids in neuromuscular recovery.”
Currently, LaVie is the first and only authorised partner of BTL Industries Malaysia SDN BHD, which carries the EMSELLA and EXILIS machines to assist in health and wellness.
