Are you suffering from an injury? If so, your healthcare professional may prescribe physical therapy to aid in your rehabilitation process. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, electrical stimulation, or e-stim, may be helpful.

What Is E-stim?

E-stim is a versatile physical therapy tool employed to achieve a range of goals. The theory is that exposing the body to an electrical current can increase muscle strength. It can suppress pain signals. The electrical current can also optimize blood flow.

Are you experiencing pain or mobility difficulties due to injury or illness? If so, your physical therapist may incorporate electrical stimulation into your rehabilitation plan. Specialized equipment delivers electrical pulses to particular muscles or nerves during this therapy. 

E-stim comes in various forms. These include electrical muscle stimulation and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. Both are popular today. These methods entail placing electrodes close to the affected area on the skin. The electrical current delivered by these electrodes causes rhythmic muscle contractions.

History of Electrical Stimulation

E-stim has a long history that goes back thousands of years. Its use is traceable to the first century. A Roman physician discovered that gout patients felt less pain after receiving electrical shocks.

Doctors began using electrically powered equipment to treat various conditions in the early 18th century. This technology advanced over time, developing into the sophisticated devices we use today.

Uses

Physicians employ electrical muscle stimulation to alleviate pain. They use it to aid in healing weak, diseased, or injured muscles. The electrical impulses generated by the stimulation can enhance blood circulation. They can also activate muscle fibers or nerves.

A doctor may recommend TENS or EMS therapy based on the injury or condition. EMS therapy helps the muscles respond to natural signals to contract. It strengthens and retrains a muscle post-surgery or injury. TENS therapy increases blood flow to the affected area. It also reduces pain through improved muscle firing patterns.

Besides its medical applications, electrical muscle stimulation has various other uses. For example, it can aid in weight loss and physical therapy. The FDA has only approved electrical muscle stimulators for medical conditions. Doctors use these devices to achieve the following:
 

• Ease muscle spasms

• Retrain muscles

• Prevent muscle loss

How It Works

E-stim involves the application of tiny electrodes on the skin. These electrodes come in the form of small adhesive pads. These pads are removable without much discomfort at the end of the treatment.
 

The physical therapist positions several electrodes around the target area. The wires from the e-stim device connect to the pads. The device sends continuous electrical pulses via the cables to the electrodes. The unit size can vary, from handheld to a size like an old-fashioned answering machine.
 

For muscle stimulation, the electrical impulses reach the muscles, inducing them to contract. Additionally, the pulses target the nervous system. They block pain signals from reaching the spinal cord and brain. The treatment triggers the body to produce more endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals.

Conclusion

The EMS process involves the application of electrical currents to the muscles. This method may enhance blood circulation and bolster the muscles. Additionally, it could alter pain signals, reducing any discomfort.
 

This process can help treat various muscle-related issues and pain. Note that its effectiveness as a widespread treatment solution for a broader range of conditions still requires further scientific validation.
 

For more on e-stim, visit NeuroSport Elite at our Weston, Florida office. Call (954) 800-5017 to schedule an appointment today.