Electric muscle stimulator benefits are not only limited to helping patients to recover from ailments, musculoskeletal injuries. In fact, EMS therapy can also help to alleviate pain, irritation, muscle spasms, while supporting muscle tone recovery and etc.
Electric Muscle Stimulator Benefits
There are quite a number of significant benefits when it comes to electric pulse massager. While some patients can speed up the healing process of damaged or injured tissue, others can see a decrease in swelling. EMS is also helpful in alleviating chronic pain, which is not limited to:
- Reducing discomfort, anxiety, and pain
- Improving muscle recovery
- Promoting blood supply and distribution
- Helping stressed tendons or muscles by expanding their range of motion
- Alleviating stiffness of joints and swelling
- Protecting the atrophy of muscles
iFitzone team can help you to decide on whether you will need electric muscle stimulation therapy. Because, certain groups of individuals, such as individuals with certain ailments ( heart disease, palpitations and etc.) and as well as pregnant women should not use EMS therapy.
What Does Electrical Stimulation Do?
Electrical stimulation transmits currents to the targeted muscle groups in your body. It is operated by the control unit that activates stick-on pieces of equipment that are attached to the body.
The control unit has sensory knobs, timers, and other devices which created electric current. The current is transmitted to the skin via two main wires and neurostimulation electrodes.
You may feel a variety of unique sensations in your targeted muscle groups when the device is turned on. This feeling may vary from person to person. While some patients tell that they feel muscle twitches, others report needles and tingling.
Generally, you should feel these sensations only during the treatment session. But on certain occasions, you may still continue feeling the effects up to 30 minutes following the therapy session.
Electric Shock Muscle Therapy
EMS stimulation is used to achieve a number of tasks during physical therapy. Electrical stimulation is advised as part of a rehabilitation program in cases of limited functional ability or pain, which may be caused by an illness or injury. There are certain types of this therapy:
- Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation
Physical therapists use TENS as a therapy modality to treat chronic or acute pain. TENS is used to alleviate discomfort and pain on targeted muscles. Your physical therapist may adjust the intensity of electric signals depending on how your body reacts to the therapy. These signals are used to block the pain signals traveling from your body to your brain.
- Iontophoresis
Iontophoresis is a form of electrical stimulation. The therapist uses this approach to push certain medication to your skin and muscles using an electrical current.
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
NMES makes targeted muscle groups contract by using electrical current through the electrodes which are placed on your skin. This approach of muscle stimulation helps your affected muscles to contract.
- Russian Stimulation
Similar to NMES, Russian stimulation is also used to achieve and improve muscle contraction. However, Russian stimulation is actually using a certain waveform so you can handle it a bit more easily.
- High Voltage Galvanic Current
In order to reach deep through tissues, high volt galvanic stimulation uses high voltage and low-frequency electricity. This therapy method is utilized for pain management, blood flow recovery, muscle spasm relief, and joint mobility rehabilitation.
Muscle Stimulator Side Effects
Your physical therapist may advise your electrical muscle stimulation as part of your rehabilitation and recovery process. Although we have already covered the benefits of muscle stimulators, we think that you should also be aware of certain risks and side effects associated with the therapy.
- Muscle Tear
You can suffer increased muscle pain when the electrical stimulation impulse is set to a level that is too high. In this case, you may even get your muscle tissue torn. When this happens you should immediately discontinue the session, and start treatment for an acute muscle injury, which may involve elevation, resting, or ice.
- Skin Irritation
Often the electrode adhesive or electrical stimulus can irritate people with sensitive skin. The treatment may be interrupted if pain arises. The affected area may be healed by a lotion.
- Tissue burn
Too high intensity can even cause your tissue to burn. Although this happens rarely, the treatment should be immediately stopped, while the patient sees appropriate skincare.
Muscle Stimulation For Weight Loss
EMS can also help individuals to lose great amounts of weight by helping to burn more calories. According to the research, EMS helps to decrease waist circumference and body fat percentage when combined with regular exercise. You may read more on EMS weight loss and as well as medically supervised weight loss programs provided by iFitzone here.
