You may have heard of electrical muscle stimulation, or E-stim/EMS, which is a type of therapy that simulates what happens when your muscles contract and release repeatedly in quick succession.

An effective muscle tear or muscle strain treatment, E-stim helps repair and strengthen muscle and tissue faster and is especially popular among long-distance runners and other athletes seeking muscle stimulators or effective sports recovery tools. 

When you undergo E-stim therapy, your treatment provider will place small electrodes on your skin that have wires attached to them. Your provider will then deliver a stream of electric pulses that cause your muscles to contract and release.

You may find electrical muscle stimulation to be of particular benefit to you if one or more of the following apply. 

You have a condition that weakens muscles

Electrical muscle stimulation may prove highly effective if you have a torn muscle or a condition or injury that weakens or atrophies your muscles, such as a neuromuscular disorder or a torn rotator cuff or Achilles tendon. If you have a muscle disorder that worsens over time, this type of therapy may help slow its progression 

You have a muscle strain, sprain, or tendonitis

Many patients also find that electrical muscle stimulation is an effective way to treat muscle strains, sprains and tendonitis. The electrical pulses it sends through your skin can reduce nerve pain and help speed up muscle injury recovery.

When the muscles in your body contract, it also promotes blood flow to the area, which helps pulled muscles and other muscle injuries heal faster.

You are an endurance athlete

Running or biking long distances places a hefty strain on your body. Most endurance athletes subject their bodies and muscles to considerable pressure and stress. EMS increases circulation in some of the areas subjected to heavy pressure and can help relieve muscle soreness and tension.  

You are recovering from surgery

Electrical muscle stimulation can also help with muscle recovery and retraining following an orthopedic surgery or similar procedure. After an operation, you may not be able to contract and release your muscles in the way you typically would. E-stim makes them contract and release involuntarily, which can help “retrain” your muscles to do the work themselves.

While electrical muscle stimulation may serve you well if any of the above applies, in truth, everyone has the potential to benefit from this type of therapy.

A growing body of research suggests that EMS offers numerous health and wellness benefits ranging from enhanced blood flow and improved muscle strength to a reduction in pain levels and overall discomfort. 

Click here to learn more or schedule an appointment.