Electrical Muscle Stimulation Therapy
Electrical muscle stimulation, also known as “e-stim,” is a common treatment that physical therapists use to rehabilitate a soft tissue injury.
You could be dealing with fibromyalgia pain or recovering from a stroke, injury, or some other condition that can require the use of e-stim.
Electrical stimulation is an effective form of therapy that can help provide you with pain relief and accelerate your recovery process.
Electrical muscle stimulation, also known as “e-stim,” is a common treatment that physical therapists use to rehabilitate a soft tissue injury.
You could be dealing with fibromyalgia pain or recovering from a stroke, injury, or some other condition that can require the use of e-stim.
Electrical stimulation is an effective form of therapy that can help provide you with pain relief and accelerate your recovery process.
Electrical stimulation can also be used as a recovery or muscle conditioning tool by athletes.
E-stim is believed to have the ability to create muscle contraction in different types of muscle fibers that are targeted to facilitate responses and specific functions.
This aims to strengthen and treat weakened or injured muscles.
This form of therapy can be an especially useful tool for long-distance runners who desire to train their muscle fibers to resist fatigue.
Electric muscle stimulation is a technique that is often implemented with the help and guidance of a professional sports therapist to complement an athlete’s training program.
We at Paspa Physical Therapy offer Orthopedics and Sports physical therapy services, including e-stim therapy.
We are located in Manhattan, NY, with a facility that has a fully equipped gym and private treatment rooms where you can receive a personalized physical therapy program from a qualified physical therapist.
How does E-stim work?
E-stim therapy sends electric impulses along your nervous system to targeted muscles to stimulate contractions.
This process is meant to mimic the action potential which comes from the central nervous system in your body.
E-stim treatment is done by your therapist placing electrode pads on your skin.
These pads are attached to a device that generates electrical impulses to stimulate the contraction of your skeletal muscles.
Your therapist can use a dial on the device to regulate the different settings.
This physical therapy procedure is relatively painless, resulting in barely noticeable muscle spasms during the treatment.
E-stim creates continuous electric impulses to stimulate repetitive contraction and relaxation of your muscles to achieve the required results.
E-stim therapy is also referred to as electromyostimulation (EMS) or neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). E-stim is generally used on your muscles.
However, another form of E-stim therapy called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be used to work on the nerves in your body.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation works by blocking or managing pain signals to your brain.
This is done by issuing electric stimulation at varying wavelengths for different purposes, such as circulation and relaxation.
There are a number of benefits to using EMS and TENS therapy.
What are the uses and benefits of electrical stimulation?
EMS and TENS devices are usually administered on a prescription-only basis by professionals such as orthopedists, sports medicine physicians, or PTs.
These devices are often used to relieve pain and assist with muscular training, rehabilitation, or recovery.
Listed below are some common uses and benefits of EMS therapy:
- Assisting with athletic recovery: EMS is administered at low-level frequencies to release endorphins, promote muscle relaxation, remove lactic acid and increase blood flow.
Regular EMS sessions can benefit endurance athletes by helping them keep their muscles loose and allowing them to train without injury. - Alleviating back spasms: EMS can help stimulate the muscles in your lower back to relax your back muscles and ease soreness and tightness.
EMS devices can also be used to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and help with sore and tight muscles from scoliosis, postural problems, and other spinal issues. - Working weakened or atrophied muscles: Muscle weakness can often result from disuse. This can be due to neuromuscular disorders, spinal cord injury, soft tissue injuries, stroke, broken bones, and other types of conditions that hinder movement and exercise.
EMS can help keep promoting muscular function and prevent muscle atrophy.
4. Re-education of muscular function after illness or surgery: When the electrical pulses from EMS contract the muscles involuntarily, this can assist you in concentrating on voluntarily contracting the same muscles with the aim of allowing your brain to re-learn how to do this action without assistance.
This treatment is often useful in helping stroke patients or those recovering from orthopedic surgery who find it difficult to contract their muscles.
TENS therapy sessions can also help manage discomfort and pain from a number of conditions.
Some of the conditions that can benefit from Tens treatment are listed below.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendinitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Lower back pain
- Neck problems
EMS and TENS are not new forms of therapy and have been safely and painlessly administered by professionals for decades with little to no side effects.
Our team of physical therapists at Paspa PT are well trained to correctly administer these techniques to help with muscle recovery and manage pain levels.
Contact us today to book an appointment at our facility in Manhattan, New York.
FAQ
Yes. According to studies, EMS can increase muscle by at least 1% after 5 to 6 weeks of treatment.
Yes. Electronic stimulator devices can make your abs appear more toned and firm. However, they won’t help you lose weight without proper exercise and diet.
Yes. You can use EMS if you work out regularly on a long-term basis to help maintain muscular strength in conjunction with your strength training program.
Yes. EMS stimulators are safe when used under the supervision of health professionals. Unregulated EMS devices have resulted in pain, burns, shocks, bruising, and skin irritation, according to reports received by the FDA.
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