Electrical Muscle Stimulation Therapy at Manhattan Wellness Group
How does Electrical Stimulation Therapy help you?
Electrical Stimulation Therapy can be muscular, general, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The muscular type of electric stimulation seeks to strengthen the muscles by reducing muscle spasms. Electrical Muscle Stimulation Therapy (EMS) uses electrical impulses to create contractions in the affected muscles, causing increased blood circulation.
TENS is commonly used to help with chronic pain. The general type of electric stimulation is used for healing wounds and alleviating pain. For the patient's convenience, a portable TENS unit can be prescribed by a doctor or a physical therapist to use at home.
EMS reproduces the effects of exercise and can prevent muscle atrophy after a prolonged injury where movement is inhibited. Research shows EMS is used to help treat and even prevent many medical issues. These include:
- Carpal tunnel
- Connective and dermal tissue repair
- Increase in the range of motion in joints caused by such problems as arthritis and injury
- Muscle atrophy
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle tension associated with long periods of sitting, standing, or lifting heavy objects
- Post-surgical muscle regeneration
- Sciatica
- Sports injuries
- Tennis elbow
- Ulcers and chronic wounds
- Constant headaches
- Numbness of limbs
- Back pain
EMS feels like a gentle tingling or massaging sensation, and treatments typically last from 10-15 minutes.
How does Electrical Muscle Stimulation Therapy work?
The impulses are generated by a device delivering muscle stimulation through electrodes on the skin. The impulses mimic the action potential coming from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract. Physical therapists and other medical practitioners attach electrodes on the patient’s skin, causing the target muscles to contract. With electric stimulation, the patient can maintain muscle tone and strength that would otherwise waste away due to lack of usage. Sports scientists have cited the use of EMS as a complementary technique for sports training.