The Neotonus Chair employs powerful pulsing magnetic fields to stimulate nerve activity in the pelvic floor, which in turn exercises the muscles that control bladder function, improving strength and endurance and increasing circulation.
What is the Neotonus Chair?
The Neotonus Chair is a non-surgical therapy for the treatment of stress, urge and mixed incontinence in men and women.
There are various causes of pelvic floor weakness which may cause a decreased sensation and function of the nerve endings and stress incontinence. Age, along with a decrease in physical activity can decrease muscle strength causing incontinence, urgency and frequency. Weakness in the pelvic muscles can lead to problems with both bladder and rectal support.
Urinary continence is difficult to maintain without the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. Increased tone in the pelvic floor muscles will support the bladder and the sphincter muscles helping to provide control over urinary and rectal functions.
The Neotonus Chair is an effective, painless and non-invasive treatment of urinary incontinence. It works by improving and increasing support to the urethra and urinary control through active exercise of the muscles. The NeoControl system performs the exercises for the patient in complete and effective manner to rebuild pelvic floor strength and endurance, aiding to restore bladder control, while the patient sits fully clothed in a comfortable chair. No active participation by the patient is required.
Treatment is painless, non-invasive 20-minute treatment consisting of 2 per week for eight weeks. While sitting in the specially designed chair, the patient will feel his or her muscles tighten and relax as they are exercised according to doctor's prescription.
Whilst the Neotonus Chair restores control over these functions, long term benefit is also dependent on your willingness to change your behavioral habits (diet, weight loss, medications, exercise, etc).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does NeoControl therapy work?
Special electromagnets have been designed and built into the seat of the NeoControl chair creating a small effective magnetic field - about the size of a small pineapple. This produces an induction of activity in the pelvic nerves and muscles. When the patient is sitting in the chair, the muscles of the pelvic floor are positioned directly above the magnetic field. By adjusting the strength of the field, the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor are induced to contract by the pulsed magnetic fields. The rate and strength of the pelvic floor contractions can be adjusted, like tuning the frequency and volume on a radio. This exercising of the muscles builds strength and endurance, helping the patient regain bladder control. Unlike many traditional incontinence treatments, no probes or invasive instruments are used and nothing touches the skin.
Why does the chair make noise during treatment?
The sound comes from the magnets located in the floor of the chair. The “tapping” or “buzzing” noises that you hear result from the cycling of the magnets.
Does the NeoControl Pelvic Floor Therapy System work for all types of incontinence?
NeoControl is intended for treating stress, urge or mixed incontinence. It is not designed to treat overflow incontinence. Patients should consult their doctors to see if NeoControl is appropriate for them.
How many treatments are required?
For most patients between 16 and 20 sequential treatments will solve the problem. Others may need to repeat the treatments periodically to maintain muscle control.
What does it feel like?
While sitting in the magnetic chair, patients feel a small vibration or tapping and will feel their pelvic floor muscles contracting. They may also see the muscles in your thighs contract or twitch. In some cases, his/her muscles may feel tender or fatigued afterwards, as, but only for a short time.
Will I have any soreness after treatment?
Some patients report soreness in the pelvic floor muscles after their first few treatments. In most cases, the pelvic floor muscles have not been used for quite a while, and can become “sore” and fatigued after being contracted just as is normal after exercising. As your muscles being to build strength and endurance during repeated treatments,this will ease. Some patients also report an increase in leakage after the first few treatments – this is due to the fatigued muscles. This should resolve by the fourth or fifth treatment.
If the patient misses a treatment, when should they schedule their next treatment?
Patients should maintain the treatment schedule defined by the doctor. Should the patient miss a treatment, it should be restarted as soon as possible. As with any treatment program, it is important to comply with the treatment regime prescribed by the doctor. Ideally, patients should ensure that they will be available for the six to eight week period required for treatment before they commence therapy.
If the patient has a urinary infection, should they undergo NeoControl therapy?
No, the patient should NOT sit in the chair with an active infection. Consult with your doctor once your infection has been treated.
Can a patient undergo NeoControl treatment even after pelvic surgery?
Yes, NeoControl therapy may benefit a patient following surgery. You should discuss appropriate timing with your doctor.
Can a patient undergo NeoControl therapy after childbirth? If so, how soon?
Yes, NeoControl therapy may benefit a patient following childbirth. You should discuss this with your doctor. Usually treatment can be considered following the six week post partum visit.
Can I receive NeoControl® therapy during my menstrual period?
Yes, you can receive therapy during your menstrual period. The treatment will not affect your flow. However, some patients have reported increased and/or decreased menstrual cramping immediately after treatment.
Is it safe to wear a tampon during a NeoControl® treatment?
Yes, it is safe to wear a tampon during treatment.
Is it safe to wear a diaphragm during a NeoControl® treatment?
Yes, it is safe to wear a diaphragm during treatment.
Should a patient remove a pessary before sitting in the “Chair”?
It is not necessary to remove a pessary before sitting in the “Chair”.
Should a patient with vulvadenea undergo NeoControl therapy?
Yes, a patient with vulvadenea may undergo NeoControl therapy.
Should a patient with interstitial cystitis undergo NeoControl therapy?
Yes, a patient with interstitial cystitis may undergo NeoControl therapy.
Can a pregnant patient undergo treatment?
No, the NeoControl therapy should not be used during pregnancy due to the possible risk of miscarriage and potential damage to the developing foetus.
When should I expect to see results?
Results will vary from patient to patient; symptoms of urgency are often reduced after the 2nd or 3rd treatment. An improvement in stress incontinence is may be seen by the 8th treatment, and in most cases, a patient will see improvements by completion of the 20-minute course of 16-20 treatments.
Data from US clinical studies indicate that 50 percent of women who completed six weeks of NeoControl therapy reported being "completely dry" and an additional 30 percent reported "significant improvement" in their conditions.
Many patients are still satisfied with their results 18 months after treatment.
Should I continue NeoControl® therapy even after becoming dry?
Yes, you should follow the treatment prescription that your physician has defined for you.
Should I continue to perform Kegel exercises while undergoing NeoControl® treatment?
You should not perform Kegels while actively receiving therapy in the “chair”. We strongly suggest that Kegel exercises continue to be included as part of an overall bladder health program.
You may also be advised to modify diet, voiding habits and make lifestyle changes.
What are other therapies that are currently utilised to treat incontinence?
A number of treatments are available to control and cure urinary incontinence and include use of self-catheterisation, urethral inserts, bulking agents, pessaries, Kegel exercises, absorbent pads, electrical stimulation, biofeedback, pharmacologic agents and surgery. All of these can be discussed with your dr.