Content
- Overview
- Characteristics
- Effects
- Indications
Electrical muscle stimulation is a physical therapy used to restore the function of muscles and nerve tissue after injury and is also used in body slimming treatments, among others. During electrical muscle stimulation, pulsed currents of various intensities and frequencies are used.
The mechanism of action is that the pulsed current passes through the tissues and the cell membranes rapidly accumulate is electrically charged ions. This requires an excitatory process in the cell and, if acting on muscle or nerve tissue, is accompanied by a motor response. These impulses cause muscles to contract in a shape similar to that characteristic of human movement.
Characteristics of Electrical Muscle Stimulation
The process of electrical muscle stimulation involves the application of electrodes to the treated skin surface, with their fixation position determined by specific instructions. The electrical muscle stimulation training itself does not cause physical pain; some patients have reported a tingling sensation. The intensity of the current can be adjusted to suit your tolerance, so any discomfort needs to be reported to your doctor.
A single session of electrical muscle stimulation training lasts from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on what needs to be treated. It usually consists of 7-15 sessions, and the doctor will tell the exact duration after studying the patient's case.
Electrical muscle stimulation training complements the main therapeutic processes, including drug exposure, physiotherapy exercises, and massage. With the help of electrical muscle stimulation, the positive effects obtained can be strengthened and consolidated.
You can attend electrical muscle stimulation sessions at home, in the hospital, and the clinic. We provide our patients with high-quality physiotherapy equipment. Modern electrical muscle stimulation equipment allows us to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.
Before starting the treatment, a medical examination by a specialized physician is mandatory, which excludes possible contraindications and ensures the safety of the electrical muscle stimulation training.
The Effects of Electrical Muscle Stimulation On The Body
Electrical muscle stimulation affects the body intermittently due to pulses of different durations, due to different current strengths and frequencies. This effect is the same as the normal work of the muscles during activity, even though the patient is not active during the procedure. The current passes through the tissues, stimulating the cells and stimulating the active work of the muscle, putting the muscle during the pause.
Due to this working rhythm, the electric current does not irritate the skin or damage the epidermis. When the electric current acts on muscles or nerves, their biological activity changes. The impulse causes contraction of the muscle fibers, which strengthens and activates them. If the muscles are excessively tense, electrical muscle stimulation can be a good way to relieve this tension.
In neurological clinics, back electrical muscle stimulation training for patients with the immobile or curved spine can reduce pain, restore its sensitivity and exercise the muscles. Procedures in the rehabilitation phase after spinal surgery help strengthen the back muscles.
In sports, electrical muscle stimulation can enhance the strength and endurance of skeletal muscles and shorten the recovery period after training. In cosmetology, electrical muscle stimulation is an anti-aging, skin condition improvement, fat deposit elimination, and cellulite formation prevention method.
- Biceps femoris - restores flexion of the knee joint.
- calf muscles - contribute to the restoration of foot flexion.
- peroneus muscle - enhances dorsiflexion and abduction of the foot.
- Rectus femoris - improves leg extension of the knee joint.
- Deltoid muscle - helps to restore the extension of the shoulder.
- Extensor muscles of the hand and fingers - restores extension.
- Triceps - improves extension of the arm in the elbow joint.
- Biceps - helps to flex the arm in the elbow joint.
- Flexors of the hands and fingers - improves their flexion.
In addition, electrical muscle stimulation of the thigh muscles helps to actively fight osteoarthritis and also helps to recover from joint replacement surgery. Electrical muscle stimulation training of the face accelerates the use of oxygen and reduces the energy cost of contractions. After heavy physical activity, the lactic acid buildup can lead to muscle soreness, and the electric current of electrical muscle stimulation removes it from the muscle, thus relieving the pain.
Indications for Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Originally developed to treat patients with atrophied muscle tissue, electrical muscle stimulation found its application in the aerospace field - restoring muscle strength after a period of weightlessness. Today, it is actively used to combat cosmetic problems such as obesity and cellulite, muscle and skin sagging, as an effective anti-aging method, and even as a "lazy physical exercise", where electrical muscle stimulation relieves muscle soreness without training.
- For recovery after various injuries;
- Tissue swelling due to hypokinesis;
- Diseases of the peripheral and central nervous system with impaired generation and conduction of nerve impulses;
- Diseases of musculoskeletal structures -Postural irregularities of spinal curvature due to the weakness of spinal muscles;
- Muscle entrapment;
- Cardiovascular diseases - circulatory disorders, weak vascular tone;
- Weakness of muscular tissues of various localization - low tone of skeletal muscles (disease, hypokinesis), weak intestinal peristalsis, weakness of sphincter muscles (intestinal, urinary);
- Atrophy of muscular tissues;
- Paralysis, paralysis of certain parts of the body;
- Increased deposition of fatty tissues;
- Malnutrition of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.