Muscle Stimulation in Physical Therapy
Neuromuscular electric stimulation (NMES) or electric muscle stimulation (EMS) sends electronic pulses or stimulation to your motor nerves in order to create muscle contractions. It can be used to improve blood circulation, reduce muscle spasms, speed up recovery, decrease edema, decrease pain, and initiate muscle fiber recruitment to strength or re-educate muscles.
At Bespoke Physical Therapy, we use NMES or EMS, before, during, and after physical therapy sessions. Depending on the Hz, NMES or Ems can be used in the following ways:
before your workout
Improves blood circulation. Helps bring blood and oxygen to the muscle, preparing it for activity just as a dynamic warmup would do
during your workout
Helps increase your muscular effort by recruiting more muscle fibers, making your training more effective and efficient.
after your workout
Can help bring fresh oxygen and blood to the muscle facilitating the removal of toxins, helping with your anabolic phase and speeding up your recovery.
It is safe to be used at home (always follow the directions given with NMES or EMS unit). Below is a list of contraindications:
Do not place electrodes across the chest, on head, face, neck, eyes, or genitals
Do not use on open wounds, rashes or infected areas, or red inflamed areas
Do not use if you have a cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, or other implanted metal / electronic devices.
Do not use if you have epilepsy or any seizure disorder
Do not use after an acute trauma / fracture or following a recent surgical procedures.
Do not use if you have critical ischemia of lower limbs.
Do not use on abdominal or inguinal hernia.
Do not use if you have cancerous lesions.
For more information on Muscle Stimulation in Physical Therapy, visit our locations in New York City, San Diego, & Seattle.
