Bissell Clinic Frequently Asked Questions

Common Answers to Questions We Hear

Like other healthcare offices, at Bissell Clinic we hear many questions from new and current patients. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we are asked.

Do you have any questions that aren’t answered here? Contact us today and let us answer all of your questions.

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Emsella

What exactly is Emsella?

This non-invasive pelvic floor treatment strengthens the muscles using high-intensity electromagnetic technology (HIFEM). It’s FDA-approved for urinary incontinence treatment and helps with bladder leakage, pelvic floor dysfunction, and intimate health improvement. It can also enhance core stability and overall pelvic muscle strength.

Who is an ideal candidate for this treatment?

Emsella is ideal for women and men who experience urinary incontinence, weak pelvic floor muscles, postpartum recovery challenges, or menopause-related bladder issues. It is also suitable for those looking to improve pelvic health without surgery.

What can I expect?

You’ll sit on a special chair while fully clothed. The device delivers thousands of contractions to your pelvic floor muscles—it’s like doing 11,800 Kegel exercises without the effort! Most people feel a tingling sensation or muscle contractions. Each session takes 28 minutes, and you can return to your normal activities afterward.

How many sessions are needed to see results?

Most patients benefit from a series of 6 to 9 sessions scheduled twice a week over 3-4 weeks. Some people notice improvements after just one or two sessions, but you’ll see the best results after finishing the entire treatment plan.

If you have more significant pelvic floor issues or severe incontinence, you may benefit from 9 sessions. Results vary based on individual needs, and maintenance sessions may be recommended for long-term benefits.

Can Emsella help with postpartum recovery?

Yes! Emsella is an excellent postpartum recovery treatment that helps moms regain pelvic strength, reduce bladder leakage after childbirth, and improve core stability. It’s a safe and effective way to restore pelvic health after pregnancy.

How long do results last?

Results vary from person to person, but many patients experience improvements for six months to a year. We may recommend periodic maintenance sessions to sustain optimal pelvic floor strength.

Is there any downtime or recovery period after a session?

No, which is one of the many benefits of this treatment. You can return to your normal activities immediately after treatment. There are no restrictions on exercise or daily routines post-session.

Can men benefit from treatments, too?

Yes! Emsella for men is effective in treating male urinary incontinence, post-prostate surgery recovery, and pelvic floor weakness. It also enhances core strength and bladder control for improved quality of life.

How does Emsella improve the symptoms associated with Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in men?

Emsella helps improve symptoms of ED by using high-intensity electromagnetic energy to stimulate and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Weak pelvic muscles are often linked to ED, and by enhancing their strength and function, Emsella promotes better blood flow and nerve responsiveness. This non-invasive treatment also supports the regeneration of erectile tissue, helping to restore natural erectile function over time.

Can Emsella help improve sexual wellness?

Yes! Using electromagnetic energy, it triggers thousands of powerful pelvic floor contractions, strengthening the muscles and increasing blood flow where it matters most. For women, this means better vaginal tone, heightened sensitivity in the clitoris and labia, and an overall boost in sexual pleasure—making it easier to reach orgasm. For men, Emsella enhances blood flow for firmer, longer-lasting erections and better control over ejaculation.

Emsculpt NEO

What areas of the body can Emsculpt NEO treat?

Emsculpt is FDA-cleared to treat the abdomen, buttocks, arms, thighs, and calves. It’s designed to build muscle and reduce fat in these areas through high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy and Radio Frequency (RF).

Who is an ideal candidate?

Emsculpt is ideal for individuals who would like to enhance muscle definition and reduce stubborn fat in specific areas. It’s great for those who want to strengthen their core, sculpt their body, or improve muscle tone without surgery.

How does Emsculpt NEO burn fat and build muscle at the same time?

Emsculpt uses HIFEM technology to induce supramaximal muscle contractions, which are much more intense than regular workouts. These contractions force the muscles to grow while simultaneously using Radio Frequency to trigger apoptosis (also known as fat cell death), leading to fat loss, skin tightening, and muscle toning in the treated area.

How many sessions are typically needed for noticeable results?

A standard Emsculpt NEO treatment plan includes four sessions over two weeks. Many patients begin noticing results within a few weeks, with optimal changes appearing within three months. For enhanced muscle building and fat reduction, 6, 8, or 10 sessions may be more effective, especially for those with more significant goals. Additional maintenance sessions can further improve and sustain long-term results.

Is the treatment painful, and what does a session feel like?

No, this treatment isn’t painful at all! It feels like an intense workout with deep muscle contractions as the targeted muscles engage and strengthen. The treatment is well-tolerated and has zero downtime, allowing you to return to your daily activities immediately after the session.

Can Emsculpt NEO help with post-pregnancy body shaping?

Absolutely! This treatment is an excellent option for postpartum mothers looking to strengthen their core, rebuild abdominal muscles, and reduce stubborn fat. It can help with diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation) and improve overall muscle tone after pregnancy.

How long do the results last?

Results can last for several months to a year, depending on lifestyle and activity levels. To maintain results, periodic maintenance sessions and a healthy lifestyle are recommended. Maintenance sessions help sustain muscle tone and fat loss for long-term body sculpting.

Can Emsculpt NEO replace traditional exercise and diet?

Emsculpt is a fitness enhancement treatment, not a replacement for exercise and healthy eating. It accelerates muscle growth and fat loss but works best when combined with a balanced diet and regular workouts.

How does Emsculpt support athletic performance and recovery?

The treatment helps strengthen muscles beyond what traditional workouts can achieve. Athletes and active individuals use it to enhance muscle endurance, core strength, and post-workout recovery. It can also aid in injury prevention by improving muscle support around key joints.

Does Emsculpt NEO have treatment options to improve functional wellness?

Yes! Emsculpt NEO now offers functional treatments designed to support recovery and improve overall wellness for those recovering from surgery or injury. Unlike the sculpting setting, the functional mode operates at 60% of the power, making it a gentler yet effective option for therapeutic use.

These treatments can help with conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, ankle injuries, back pain, and other areas of discomfort below the neck. This is a recent innovation, and Bissell Clinic is proud to be the first and only provider in Santa Barbara to offer this advanced treatment.

Physical Therapy

What insurance do you accept?

We are out of network providers but are still contracted with Medicare. Payment is required at the time of the visit and we are also happy to provide you with a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company externally. If you are a Medicare patient receiving physical therapy, we will bill Medicare and they will reimburse you directly via your explanation of benefits.

Are the therapists medicare providers?

Yes, we are non-participating providers with Medicare. Please call our office for details.

Do I need a referral from my doctor?

New laws allow patients to self-refer to a physical therapist. If continued treatment is required, it is the patient’s best interest to see a Chiropractor or MD for an examination and proper diagnosis. The will decide if you should continue physical therapy, receive diagnostic testing or refer you to another appropriate specialist. For patients with Medicare as their primary insurer, a prescription for physical therapy is required from a medical doctor in order for Medicare to pay for the services.

My referral form is for another clinic. Can I still come to you?

Yes. You may go to the therapy clinic of your choice, regardless of where your doctor refers you.

What should I wear?

You should wear or bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.

How long will the visit be?

Our therapy appointments are scheduled every 45 minutes. Most sessions run 45-60 minutes and are one-on-one with the physical therapist.

Will I work with the same therapist at each visit?

Yes, you will work with the same therapist at each visit and will be with that therapist for the entirety of your appointment. Since we are a small clinic, we are able to provide a high level of personalized care and this is one way that we do just that.

What happens at the first visit?

There will be some discussion about your health history and your current condition on the first visit. The therapist will evaluate your current problem, work with you to set goals for your therapy, and outline a treatment plan that will help you reach those goals.

How many visits can I receive?

We work with Medicare. At Bissell Clinic, we will verify your Medicare coverage prior to you beginning therapy and explain everything in advance. Please contact our office for more information on your specific situation.

Shockwave Therapy

What should I expect during the treatment?

The shockwave machine delivers pressure waves through your skin using a soft gel “applicator” and ultrasound gel. The applicator focuses the pressure waves directly on the affected area. The treatment usually takes between 10-20 minutes. Most patients report a “dull, tooth-achey” feeling when the applicator hits the injured area.

What will I feel like after the treatment?

This varies for each person. Some report immediate relief in the hours immediately following the treatment. Others report feeling slightly sore. It is recommended that you do not use ice or anti-inflammatory medicines after the treatments, as the point is to let your body heal the inflammation caused by the micro traumas naturally. Soreness does not mean that the treatment was ineffective or has exacerbated your condition.

How long will it take for my pain to go away?

This varies for each person. We recommend 7-10 treatments, and we have found that people start to notice a decrease in their pain after 3-4 treatments.

Do I need to minimize my activity level during treatment?

We do recommend that you avoid over-use of the affected body party in the weeks you are going through treatment. This is because the shockwave is creating micro traumas to the area, and you need to give your body a chance to heal itself.

Decompression Therapy

What will I feel like after the treatment?

This varies for each person. Some people report feeling taller and lighter and relieved of their pain. Others have reported feeling sore immediately after the treatment or the following day. If one does experience soreness, we recommend icing the area for 10-15 minutes. Soreness does not mean the treatment was ineffective or has exacerbated your condition. It is simply caused from stretching tight, guarded muscles that have been restricted for an extended period of time.

How long will it take to get out of pain?

Although most patients report dramatic reduction of the pain within as few as five minutes, an injured spinal disc needs time to heal. This is why we urge you to follow your prescribed treatment plan. We ask that patients commit to completing a minimum of 20 sessions. Even for those that obtain pain relief early on, the remaining sessions will speed the healing of the injured disc and help them to return to their regular activities sooner. We recommend 2-3x/week for 6 weeks as the ideal treatment plan.

What about exercises and stretching?

Many people wonder if working out or performing yoga after decompression therapy will “undo” the benefits of the treatment. The answer is no. Exercise recommendations will vary with each patient based on their treatment plan with us.