| An Electronic Muscle Stimulator or EMS has been | | | | patient has become used to the machine and how |
| used in hospitals, clinics and physical rehabilitation | | | | the muscle should feel while using it, a portable |
| centers for more than 40 years. They are | | | | device may be given. This device is to be used at |
| typically used as a form of therapy with the help | | | | home and the patient is educated on how to use |
| of a medical professional. It is used regularly by | | | | it. |
| physical therapist in helping to keep a muscle | | | | The machine will have electrodes with leads. |
| active until the patient is able to move it | | | | These will have a sticky surface. These |
| themselves. There are some also available for use | | | | electrodes are placed on either side of the |
| at home. | | | | intended muscle. An electrical pulse is directed at |
| The safe ones will have an approval by a | | | | the muscle and will tense and release it |
| regulatory body. This is important because these | | | | repeatedly. |
| devices are sending electrical impulses to your | | | | The unit imitates natural muscle movement and |
| body. Without a safety seal there have been | | | | stimulates the nerves that control the muscle. |
| reports of what people fear most when they | | | | The chosen frequency and intensity is chosen |
| think of electricity being directed at their bodies. | | | | based on the condition of the muscles. It will have |
| Shocks, possible burns and bruises are | | | | displays to show the frequency being set and the |
| nonexistent with a machine that has a safety | | | | intensity. Some have displays with step by step |
| approval. These are completely safe. | | | | instructions and the ability to lock in a frequency |
| An EMS will re-educate muscle, as in the case of | | | | so the same electrical pulse is delivered |
| someone who has temporarily lost the use of a | | | | consistently. |
| muscle and is learning how to use it again. It is | | | | The stimulator is used for non medical purposes |
| used to relax the muscles of patients that have | | | | as well. Athletes use it along with regular exercise |
| painful muscle spasms and for those who are | | | | to increase muscle strength, endurance and |
| recovering from an injury and need to increase | | | | response speed. It can be used for those times |
| range of motion. | | | | when you are unable to workout. It is also used |
| It is used to prevent muscle atrophy for those | | | | on the abdominal muscles to further define the |
| who have had long-term immobility, or a neuro | | | | area and stimulate muscles that are hard to work |
| muscular disease and are unable to use their | | | | with conventional exercise. |
| muscles. If a patient has had a stroke, major | | | | The electronic muscle stimulator can also be used |
| surgery or any serious injury that impairs muscle | | | | to prevent injury. It will increase blood flow and |
| function an EMS may be used to rehabilitate | | | | oxygen while toning and improving endurance to |
| muscles. | | | | muscles. Whether used to relieve pain or prevent |
| There are models strictly for use by a medical | | | | loss of muscle strength it has been proven to be |
| professional. To get the patient used to the | | | | effective medically and personally. |
| feeling it is started at a low frequency. Once the | | | | |