This type of therapy produces a tingling feeling caused by electrical current passing through your skin and muscles, but is generally non-painful; though the intensity and duration may make for uncomfortable treatments.
Many EMS units feature adjustable capabilities and preprogrammed regimens with fixed parameters that patients can take home between sessions to use independently. Benefits of EMS:
Increased Muscle Strength
Stimulating muscle growth with electricity can be an effective addition to a healthy diet and exercise program, but before using this technique it’s wise to consult a fitness expert so as to make sure the product is safe and that its usage falls in line with manufacturer specifications; incorrect use can cause skin rashes, irritation or muscle pain if improperly employed.
To use EMS, you’ll require a device with electrodes attached to your body that conducts electrical impulses through your skin and causes muscle contractions that stimulate muscle growth. Impulses can be adjusted in terms of intensity, frequency and duration – this way more muscle fibers are activated than through voluntary movements alone.
One of the primary advantages of electromuscular stimulation (EMS) is its ability to build muscle strength, especially in areas that have not seen physical activity for extended periods. Research also indicates that EMS can decrease atrophy caused by disuse. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated its benefits in improving hand use with cerebral palsy patients and reducing spasticity among spinal cord injury (SCI) victims.
EMS also can be utilized after intense exercises to speed recovery more efficiently post-exercise. One study involved twelve healthy male sport students taking part in exhausting exercise bouts followed by massage, EMS and passive rest for post-exercise recovery purposes. Lactate levels, heart rate, peak and mean power output, rating of perceived exertion levels and total quality of recovery were monitored throughout. It was discovered that EMS provided more effective post-exercise recovery than either massage or passive rest treatments.
Studies have investigated the effect of various frequency patterns on force output when stimulating muscles with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). 8Hz proved most effective, having an immediate and dramatic impactful impact on slow muscle fibers while simultaneously increasing local blood circulation and tissue oxygenation.
Relieved Pain
Electrical stimulation works to alleviate pain by stimulating nerves and muscles. Electrical impulses block or interrupt pain signals from reaching the brain, making this one of the most effective pain management techniques available. Furthermore, this approach helps promote production of endorphins – natural pain relievers produced naturally within our bodies that work as natural pain relief mechanisms.
Electrotherapy has moderate evidence to back its use as a therapy to treat chronic pain in people living with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and circulatory conditions such as peripheral neuropathy or lymphedema. Furthermore, electrotherapy provides effective acute injury rehabilitation therapy as well as post-surgery rehabilitation services.
EMS devices generate an electric current by passing electrodes across the skin and depolarizing intact motor neurons to cause muscle contraction, from minor twitches to physiological movements such as lifting or bending of limbs. To induce these responses, therapists typically control the electrical parameters (known as “amplitude”) of their device during treatment sessions to invoke desired responses; the “amplitude” can be adjusted during sessions as intensity of stimulus needs to be decreased or increased accordingly for maximum effectiveness.
Electrical stimulation during treatment may cause mild discomfort. Depending on where your electrodes are placed, you may experience tingling or pulsing sensations; if these become uncomfortable to bear, notify your physiotherapist immediately so they can reduce intensity. Also ensure your skin is clean and dry prior to placing electrodes, and use hypoallergenic adhesive pads so as to reduce risk of an allergic reaction.
Follow your physiotherapist’s instructions when positioning and timing electrodes during sessions, and when it comes to length of each session. Correct electrode placement is key to avoiding muscle tears during stimulation and starting each treatment session slowly to gradually increase intensity until reaching maximum intensity – failure to do so could result in muscle tears or nerve damage; avoid engaging in exercises or movements which could increase risk such as stretching or twisting your body during treatment sessions with machines turned on.
Reduced Spasms
Electrotherapy uses electrode pads placed over an area of discomfort to send small electrical impulses through nerves to block signals about it from reaching your brain and decrease pain perception and spasms. Furthermore, it increases blood flow to improve circulation in affected areas while also decreasing swelling or edema in affected regions. Electrotherapy may be combined with other pain relieving therapies like heat/cold therapy massage or physical therapy treatments for maximum effectiveness.
electric stimulation can not only relieve pain, but it can also improve range of motion and muscle strength. This can be particularly helpful for those recovering from injuries such as sprains, strains or chronic back pain; surgery or serious illness that has caused muscle weakness; or treating some conditions that cause peripheral nerve damage by stimulating muscle contractions and increasing circulation.
While there are various types of electrical stimulation devices available, it is vital that a professional conduct the procedure and select an ideal device to suit your individual needs. Selecting an inappropriate form can prove counterproductive and lead to further injury or pain; furthermore certain forms may even trigger allergic reactions among sensitive skinned people and even cause seizure disorders in certain people.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerv Stimulation, more commonly known as TENS (transcutaneous Electrical Nerv Stimulation), is one of the most popular forms of electrical stimulation. TENS uses surface electrodes that deliver short bursts of electrical energy directly onto your skin surface using surface electrodes to cause muscles to contract while stimulating your natural painkillers, helping alleviate any associated discomfort. TENS has been demonstrated to speed recovery after muscle injuries faster and reduce dependence on prescription medication.
Interferential Current/Electro-Muscle Stimulation (IFC) is another form of electrical stimulation that utilizes low-level waves to relieve pain and promote soft tissue healing. IFC is particularly effective against musculoskeletal discomfort, known to increase range of motion, decrease edema, and improve blood flow.
Electronic Mus Stimulation (EMS) is designed to make muscles contract strongly and is often utilized by athletes. The electrical stimulus amplitude can be adjusted, sometimes appearing like volume control; to ensure maximum comfort during muscular contraction and optimal results. It’s essential to strike a balance between pulse width and amplitude when choosing an EMS program.
Increased Flexibility
Muscle electrostimulation employs electrical impulses to depolarize intact motor neurones and send the signal directly to a muscle’s motor end plates, producing contractions. A typical muscle contraction may vary in duration, intensity and type (lengthening versus shortening). Stimulation frequency may also differ according to desired effects; typically lower frequencies result in more gentle contractions while higher frequencies create dynamic movements that involve all muscle fibers simultaneously.
Furthermore, many EMS devices allow therapists to regulate the pulse width of electrodes. This feature is particularly important since smaller electrodes will provide greater muscle coverage and improve quality of contraction; on the other hand, too large an electrode might not stimulate its target muscle or produce different motion than intended.
When the right electrode is placed over a muscle, stimulation typically feels like a tingling sensation. Depending on your device, electrodes can also be directly placed over an area or nerve that transmits pain.
Typically, a therapist will first set their device at low frequency and low intensity for several minutes to allow their patient to adapt. Once adjusted, gradually increasing intensity and frequency becomes part of their therapy protocol.
Once a therapist has determined that their client is comfortable with therapy, they will begin programming the device to stimulate muscles in various combinations and patterns. Furthermore, the settings can be altered according to treatment goals; for example if activating elbow extensors moving opposite tightened flexors were desired as part of treatment goals, the programme might include ramping up in frequency as well as longer pulse width (to recruit more motor neurones).
Some individuals who use electro muscle stimulation have reported increased flexibility after participating in several sessions of therapy. Results vary greatly between individuals; however, most report substantial relief from muscle spasms, tightness and pain from engaging EMS therapy.
