Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
EMS also known as “E-Stim” is a physical therapy procedure which aims to send mild electrical pulses through the skin to help stimulate injured muscles or manipulate nerves to reduce pain. For muscle recovery, electric signals are sent to targeted muscles through adhesive pads on the skin, to make the affected muscles contract. With repeated muscle contractions, blood flow improves, assisting in the repair of injured muscles. These muscles will also benefit from improved strength through the repeated cycles of contraction and relaxation, making EMS a valuable tool during the rehabilitation process post injury/surgery. E-Stim may not be recommended for everyone but for many patients, this painless procedure helps accelerate recovery. Other benefits of EMS include:
Relief from conditions and symptoms such as fibromyalgia, sciatica, radicular shooting pain, poor muscle strength, and back and neck pain among others.
Preventing muscle atrophy (when muscles waste away due to a lack of physical activity) during rehabilitation.
Signals can be sent on a different wavelength to reach the nerves, rather than muscles. In this case, E-Stim can block pain receptors from being sent from nerves to the brain. This is known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS.