Build Muscle and Eliminate Fat with Emsculpt Neo Therapy
- Dylan Golden, MA
- Sep 4
- 13 min read
Updated: Oct 7
What is Emsculpt Neo?
Emsculpt Neo is an advanced body contouring therapy that naturally eliminates fat and builds muscle. It is a non-invasive body contouring therapy that offers functional benefits, including an expanded range of motion and postural improvements, while also helping prevent sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss). For muscle mass, Emsculpt Neo activates muscles with HIFEM energy, which produces thousands of contractions, challenging the body to adapt, encouraging 25% growth in muscle per body part. While doing muscular contractions of any kind may include soreness, this body contouring therapy is a fantastic non-invasive treatment that helps many people maintain and build muscle, combat sarcopenia, and eliminate fat up to 30%. This blog post will explore the Emsculpt Neo in depth, including how it works, its applications, healthy lifestyle habits for overall fat loss, muscle building and much more.
Table of Contents:
Before We Begin
First of all, at Better Brain & Body, the clinic's focus is in functional neurology, which aims to address and optimize neurological challenges and conditions with a holistic, root cause approach. With an extensive two hour neurological exam and over 30 state-of-the-art non-invasive therapies that are utilized for patients in personalized treatment plans, our goal is to improve brain to body function and various aspects of brain to body health. However, we also offer other services and therapies that focus specifically on improving elements of bodily function; Emsculpt Neo is one of these. A body composition and functional wellness tool, this device can be used strategically for various bodily adaptations especially as it relates to maintaining and building muscle and thwarting sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss). For functional neurology patients with complex neurological conditions or other challenges who may be unable to sustain active muscle-loss prevention strategies, Emsculpt Neo can be a powerful and simple addition to their overall and lifelong health. Similarly, this device may appeal to others seeking similar benefits in muscle building and fat elimination. The integration of Emsculpt Neo at Better Brain & Body underlines our commitment to whole-body wellness--strengthening not just the brain, but the body that supports it.
How Emsculpt Neo Works
Emsculpt Neo has two primary energetic mechanisms of action: RF and HIFEM. These energetic stimuli work in tandem to eliminate fat (RF) and build muscle (HIFEM). They are the bread and butter of Emsculpt Neo technology and are administered via the device’s “applicators” for a 30-minute session. Below are detailed descriptions of both RF and HIFEM technologies.
Emsculpt Neo Treatment Areas
The applicators, or attachments, target various muscles, including the calves, quadriceps (also known as quads or thighs), hamstrings, abdomen (stomach), glutes (buttocks), biceps and triceps (arms), and obliques (also referred to as love handles). The applicators can administer both types of energies simultaneously and separately. They are placed directly on the skin of the targeted muscle by our clinical assistants. Check out some photos of this awesome therapy in action below.
Radiofrequency (RF) Energy:
The Emsculpt Neo is a non-invasive therapy–meaning, it doesn’t penetrate the body and has no downtime. To achieve its results for fat loss, it employs Radiofrequency (RF) energy. Felt as a gentle heat, RF specifically targets fat cells in the targeted muscle or treatment area. Let’s say we’re targeting the stomach. As the applicator emits RF energy, it triggers a natural process known as apoptosis (cell death). Apoptosis occurs daily with the body ridding itself of unneeded, dead cells to keep everything running smoothly. RF heats the fat cells via the skin of the muscle the applicator is placed on and flushes the stomach's fat cells and other wastes out through the lymphatic system. This system involves a process that expels waste and unwanted material from the body.
Emsculpt Neo Targets Subcutaneous and Visceral Fat
It's important to understand that while fat cells can be permanently destroyed or eliminated through various means including with Emsculpt Neo, that doesn't always equal a reduction in actual body weight, as you might see on the scale. This is because fat and overall body weight have distinct differences, which is covered in detail below.
In the body, two types of fat are of primary concern: subcutaneous fat and visceral fat.
Subcutaneous Fat: The layer that lies directly beneath the skin, and the fat type most people want to get rid of.
Visceral Fat: The layer that lies deep inside the stomach, wrapping around the inner organs. Excessive visceral fat can be dangerous, correlating with serious health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and strokes.
The good news is that Emsculpt Neo effectively targets both forms of fat. For those interested in understanding their visceral fat levels, specialized body composition scans can provide valuable insights. You can get a body composition scan at Better Brain & Body with the purchase of any body composition/weight loss treatments. For a more comprehensive analysis, a DEXA scan is a great option too, and is typically available at hospitals and specialized clinics.
High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) Energy:
The second and final mechanism of action in Emsculpt Neo also is HIFEM energy, which is felt as a “semi-continuous” muscular contraction that starts and stops during a 30-minute session. This semi-continuous movement mimics regular muscular contraction. As defined by WebMD, “Muscle contraction is often followed by muscle relaxation when contracted muscles return to their normal state” (2024). HIFEM energy initiates thousands of contractions in a single 30-minute session, from 11,000 to over 20,000 depending on the specific setting. Now, this is a significant amount of contractions for the body to perform on its own in an hour-long gym session, so Emsculpt Neo helps amplify this process with a muscle growth rate of 25%. Additionally, this can also help increase muscle strength by 29%.
Natural Energies Initiate Health & Wellness Outcomes
Energy can have a profound impact on the human body. Like Emsculpt Neo, infrared saunas, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), PEMF therapies, and others take advantage of natural energy. Infrared saunas, for example, harness infrared light, an energetic source from the sun, to generate heat and provide benefits. Emsculpt Neo mimics Radiofrequency (RF) and Electromagnetic field (HIFEM) energies, which naturally occur on Earth to administer its muscle-building and fat loss capabilities.
Emsculpt Neo: Simultaneous Fat Elimination and Muscle Growth
We could write a whole blog on Fat Loss versus Muscle Growth. However, what is unique about the Emsculpt Neo is that it initiates both adaptations simultaneously with HIFEM energy for muscle growth and RF energy for fat loss. Typically, when increasing muscle mass, strength can hitch a ride. With Emsculpt Neo, patients may see a 29% increase in strength as well. However, like fat loss and weight loss, muscle strength and muscle growth are similar but separate adaptations we should define.
Muscle Growth (Hypertrophy): an increase in muscle size. Muscle mass refers to the overall amount of lean muscle. Building muscle often builds strength, but not always, depending on the exercise and context.
Muscle Strength: the ability to exert force through a specific exercise with a particular weight.
You can book a package by calling or texting us at 704-752-8100 or conveniently scheduling a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation directly with Dr. Brown via the button below.
Emsculpt Neo for Functional Wellness
In addition to the body composition benefits of fat loss and muscle growth, this device is FDA-cleared for Functional Wellness improvements. Functional wellness is more than the body’s composition (how it looks)–it’s how well the body moves (mobility), lives, performs, and recovers, and how the body functions overall. Emsculpt Neo's functional setting uses HIFEM muscle building energy alone without fat burning RF technology. This allows the Emsculpt Neo to focus on functional wellness improvements as covered below. Also, this allows people to customize their goals more accordingly. For example, some people might want to get stronger in their lower body without removing fat. After all, Emsculpt Neo can help change the body's composition, how it looks, so customizing accordingly is important for each individual's needs.
At Better Brain & Body, Dr. Brown appreciates a technology that naturally covers many bases. Rather than focusing on a therapy or technology that targets a single adaptation, the clinic’s approach in general often involves compounding results, where as one area of brain-body health improves, others may follow suit. Emsculpt Neo is more than a simple body composition/contouring therapy. It has multiple functional wellness improvements too. According to preliminary data sourced from an Emsculpt Neo study, patients for Functional Wellness reported 90% improved muscular re-education, 95% with increased comfort during daily physical activities, and 80% of subjects reported that the muscles treated felt less prone to injury and 91% reported that their joints felt better after treatment.
Key Benefits of Emsculpt Neo
Expanding Range of Motion
Improving Local Blood Circulation
Muscle Re-education
Calming Muscle Spasms
Prevention of Muscle Loss (Sarcopenia)
Postural Improvements
Prevention of Venous Thrombosis
Low Back Pain Improvements
30% Fat Reduction and Elimination
25% Muscle Growth
29% Strength Gain
Emsculpt Neo Core to Floor Protocol
The Core to Floor protocol is a blend of the Emsculpt Neo and the Emsella. This
combination uses the Emsculpt Neo’s abdominal attachment to target the core (stomach) and the Emsella Chair to target the pelvic floor, separately. Emsella is FDA-cleared for
urinary incontinence in both men and women. In addition to sexual wellness benefits for men and women, the dual-combination of the therapies strengthens the abdominal core and pelvic floor muscles, helping minimize urinary urgency, increase bladder control, and offers other sexual and wellness benefits. You can book a package or learn more by calling or texting us at 704-752-8100 or conveniently scheduling a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation directly with Dr. Brown via the button below. She can answer your questions and give you everything you need to know about this amazing technology.
A Serious Note on Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD):
Not all Pelvic Floors are created equal. Our Emsella therapy webpage outlines what to consider when determining if Emsella is right for you. PFD usually presents as either loose or tight pelvic floors. Emsella is beneficial for loose pelvic floors but may not be appropriate for tight ones, which could be exacerbated by kegel activation. If you're experiencing severe pelvic floor symptoms, please consider consulting a physical therapist specializing in PFD, or seek out our Emsella webpage for more information.
Understanding Weight Loss versus Fat Loss
It's essential to know the difference between weight loss and fat loss on our health journeys.
Weight Loss: A decrease in overall body weight, which can include the loss of fat, muscle, water, and even bone.
Fat Loss: The reduction of body fat that is held in the body's tissues.
Body Fat: Physical tissue made up of fat cells, often used as a source of energy, insulation, or protection.
Body Weight: Total mass of the body. Includes muscles, bones, organs, fluids, fats, and everything else that makes up the physical body/structure.
Body Composition: What the body is made up of-- how much of it is muscle, bone, fat, and water. Body composition is the balance between these parts.
Many people are interested in treatments like Emsculpt Neo because it can reduce fat by 30%. However, this might not always show as a lower weight on the scale. If someone loses fat and also builds muscle through weight/strength training, they may not see much change in their overall weight. For instance, two people might weight the same, but one could have more muscle and less fat and vice versa. This is why body composition gives a better picture of health than overall weight alone.
Similarly, many people are drawn to the hype of semaglutide and brands like Ozempic, mainly due to their claims of achieving dramatic weight loss. Again, it’s essential to consider what type of weight is lost. Muscle loss accounts for a significant percentage of total weight loss using semaglutide products. In fact, any rapid weight loss program will bring some muscle loss with it without proper prevention strategies; the question is, what can you do to prevent it? Increase muscle growth promoting activities. Emsculpt Neo can supplement any weight loss strategy, maintaining muscle and increasing growth by 25%.
The Role of Caloric Surplus and Deficit
To gain muscle, the body needs a caloric surplus, meaning you consume more calories than you burn. Eating an extra 200-500 calories per day, along with 1g of protein per pound of body weight, helps build muscle while limiting fat gain. Weight/strength training or other muscle building activity is key to this process. Simply put: "Calories in > Calories Out".
For fat loss elimination, the body needs to be in a caloric deficit, where you consume fewer calories than you burn. Cutting back by 300-500 calories daily, while still aiming for 1g of protein per pound of body weight, helps maintain muscle as your body uses fat for energy. Eating 300-500 fewer calories than usual can lead to lower daily energy levels, prompting the body to use fat for energy, which is ideal for supporting an energetic deficiency while also eliminating unwanted fat tissue. Simply put, "Calories in < Calories Out".
Consider*: An extreme caloric deficit may lead to a decrease in muscle mass, as muscle requires sustainable calories for optimal development and maintenance. Consider maintaining a moderate or low-calorie deficit to sustain energy and achieve your body composition goals.
Quick Exercise Tip:
If you want to lose fat, adding cardio can help burn more calories. Still, weight training is essential to preserving muscle. Cardio supports overall heart and full-body health, but a caloric surplus must be maintained to build muscle.
Weight Loss and Body Composition Resources
You can use the above principles to guide your health and fitness journey. Better Brain & Body also offers a 6-week, nutrition-based weight loss program that aims to target abnormal fat and achieve a 25-pound weight loss. But, if you are seeking help from a nutritionist, weight loss expert, or a greater commitment in general, we recommend checking out our friends Mandi Murrow and Vanessa Lara at Rooted Holistic Wellness and TNT Wellness, respectively, who each offer unique approaches to weight loss and overall body composition strategies.
Thoughts on Semaglutide, Ozempic, and other GLP-1 Medications
Obesity was rare until the 1970s, with rates under 13%. Now, around 70% of Americans are either obese (43%) or overweight (30%). Recent data from the CDC shows this dramatic increase.
How has the USA tripled its obesity rate from 13% in 1970 to 43% in 2017-18. The CDC and other experts, like Dr. Norman J Temple of the Scientific Journal Nutrients, discuss the possible causes.
While medications with the ingredient semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, etc.) and other brands may be great options for weight loss in morbidly obese patients (10% of Americans as of 2017 according to a 2023 article by USA Facts), we are concerned about their off-label use for everyday Americans who are not obese or morbidly obese. At Better Brain & Body, we recommend adopting lifestyle principles and consistent habits outlined earlier for effective fat loss, weight loss, and muscle building, and potentially using Emsculpt Neo as a supplement to health. Off-label use of medications like Ozempic for simple overweight is spreading rapidly with multiple conglomerate companies trying to get a piece of this pie: A massive $27 Billion dollar pie in 2024, according to Yahoo Finance, rising to almost $62 Billion by 2033.
Sarcopenia and Longevity
As humans age, especially from our 30s onward, maintaining muscle mass is crucial for longevity. Sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, typically begins around ages 30-40 and affects everyone. It also increases with age--drastically per decade. Losing muscle naturally while taking semaglutide can worsen this condition without proper exercise and nutrition, like weight training and sufficient protein intake. A 2024 study suggests that people on semaglutide may lose up to 39% of their muscle mass over 36 to 72 weeks. While fast weight loss results can be tempting, they don't outlast lifelong changes in lifestyle, mindset, and neurochemistry. Unfortunately, many individuals also regain the weight lost after stopping the medication if no lasting changes are made. One study, highlighted by Medical News Today discusses how semaglutide patients who lost 17.3% of their bodyweight over a year, gained back on average 11.6% of that weight; a phenomenon known as "Ozempic Rebound" (2025). That is a lot of stress to put on the body in such a short time.
If anyone is considering these medications, they should strongly consider talking to a weight loss specialist or doctor, not their dermatologist or other off-label provider. If they’re searching for a more natural approach to losing weight and fat, Better Brain & Body’s Emsculpt Neo and nutrition-based weight loss program are fantastic places to start.
Closing Out:
If you're curious to learn about the possible contraindications, who may consider not using this technology, or how an Emsculpt Neo session at Better Brain & Body is performed, check out our Emsculpt Neo FAQ. You can book a package or learn more by calling or texting us at 704-752-8100 or conveniently scheduling a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation directly with Dr. Brown via the button below. She can answer your questions and give you everything you need to know about this amazing technology.
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Sources:
Bikou, A., Dermiki-Gkana, F., Penteris, M., Constantinides, T. K., & Kontogiorgis, C. (2024). A systematic review of the effect of semaglutide on lean mass: Insights from clinical trials. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 25(5), 611–619. https://doi.org/10.1080/14656566.2024.2343092
CDC. (2025, March 25). Risk factors for obesity. Obesity. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/risk-factors/risk-factors.html
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