Electric Stimulation Therapy (EST) is a type of physical therapy that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, nerves, and other tissues in the body. EST is used to alleviate pain, improve muscle strength and coordination, reduce muscle spasms, and promote healing.
There are several different types of EST, each of which uses a different type of electrical impulse. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is the most common type of EST, and it uses low-voltage electrical impulses to stimulate nerves and reduce pain. Interferential Current (IFC) therapy uses higher-voltage impulses to penetrate deeper into the tissue, and it is often used to treat chronic pain and muscle spasms.
The electrical impulses used in EST are generated by a device called a stimulator, which can be small enough to be worn on the body or large enough to be used in a physical therapy clinic. The impulses are delivered to the body through electrodes that are placed on the skin. The exact location and intensity of the impulses are determined by the therapist, and they can be adjusted as needed to achieve the desired effect.
EST is a non-invasive, safe, and effective treatment for a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, muscle spasms, arthritis, and neuropathic pain. It is often used in combination with other physical therapy techniques, such as exercise and massage, to achieve optimal results.
EST is also used to treat certain neurological conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis. In these cases, EST is used to stimulate the muscles and nerves affected by the condition, in order to improve muscle strength and coordination, and to reduce muscle spasms and pain. EST is also used to improve the function of the muscles in the bladder and bowel in people with incontinence, by stimulating the nerves that control the muscles in the pelvic floor.
EST is also used in sports medicine, to improve the performance of athletes by stimulating the muscles used in their sport and to help them recover from injuries.
EST is generally well-tolerated and has few side effects. Some people may experience mild discomfort or skin irritation from the electrodes, but these side effects are usually minor and can be easily resolved.
Electric Stimulation Therapy (EST) is a type of physical therapy that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, nerves, and other tissues in the body. It is used to alleviate pain, improve muscle strength and coordination, reduce muscle spasms, and promote healing. EST is non-invasive, safe, and effective treatment for a wide range of conditions and can be used in combination with other physical therapy techniques to achieve optimal results.
Non-Invasive Electric Stimulation Therapy (EST) is a type of physical therapy that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, nerves, and other tissues in the body without breaking the skin or causing any damage to the underlying tissue. Non-invasive EST is used to alleviate pain, improve muscle strength and coordination, reduce muscle spasms, and promote healing.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is the most common type of non-invasive EST. TENS uses low-voltage electrical impulses to stimulate nerves and reduce pain. The electrical impulses are delivered to the body through electrodes that are placed on the skin. TENS can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, muscle spasms, arthritis, and neuropathic pain.
Interferential Current (IFC) therapy is another type of non-invasive EST. It uses higher-voltage impulses to penetrate deeper into the tissue, and it is often used to treat chronic pain and muscle spasms. IFC therapy is considered a more advanced form of TENS therapy and is typically used for chronic pain management.
Another type of non-invasive EST is neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) which uses electrical impulses to stimulate the muscles and is often used to improve muscle strength and coordination in people with neurological conditions, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis.
Non-invasive EST is generally well-tolerated and has few side effects. Some people may experience mild discomfort or skin irritation from the electrodes, but these side effects are usually minor and can be easily resolved.
Invasive Electric Stimulation Therapy (EST) is a type of physical therapy that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, nerves, and other tissues in the body by breaking the skin or causing damage to the underlying tissue. Invasive EST is used to alleviate pain, improve muscle strength and coordination, reduce muscle spasms, and promote healing.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an invasive EST that is used to treat chronic pain. It involves the implantation of a device that delivers electrical impulses to the spinal cord, which blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain. SCS can be used to treat chronic pain that is not responsive to other treatments, such as chronic back pain, failed back surgery syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is another invasive EST that is used to treat certain neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. DBS involves the implantation of a device that delivers electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain, which helps to reduce symptoms of the condition.
Invasive EST is generally considered a more advanced form of therapy and is typically used for chronic pain management or for treating neurological conditions. It is typically used when other treatments have failed or are not effective.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with invasive EST. These include bleeding, infection, and allergic reactions to the implant. Additionally, the risk of complications may depend on the specific type of invasive EST being used. Electric Stimulation Therapy (EST) is a type of physical therapy that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, nerves, and other tissues in the body. It can be non-invasive, where the skin is not broken, or invasive, where the skin is broken or underlying tissue is damaged. Non-invasive EST is generally well-tolerated and has few side effects, while invasive EST is generally considered a more advanced form of therapy and is typically used for chronic pain management or for treating neurological conditions.
How Exactly Does E-Stim Work?
EMS therapy mimics the action potential that comes from the central nervous system. Action potential is what we call it when a neuron (cell in the nervous system) transmits information (electrical impulses) along an axon (the thread-like conduit leading away from the neuron body, toward other cells). When these impulses pass a threshold, the action potential is fired and something happens. In this case, that something is a muscle contraction. EMS therapy creates steady electric impulses that stimulate muscle contractions–many of them over a sustained therapy session. This repetitive contracting and relaxing of the muscle has the effect of:
• Increasing circulation (blood flow) to the affected tissue area, which aids in repair.
• improving strength by flexing and working weakened muscles.
• slowing the process of muscle atrophy by strengthening weakened or unused muscles.
• adapting (training or “educating”) muscle fibers to certain patterns of response (e.g., contracts the fibers that are responsible for force, which results in building strength).
Another form of e-stim therapy called TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) works on nerves rather than muscles. It’s used primarily for managing or blocking pain signals to the brain, and has been in regular use by doctors and physical therapists since the 1960s. TENS therapy can issue electrical stimulation at different wavelengths for different purposes (relaxation, circulation, blocking pain) and can sometimes be performed at home, after the patient has been taught proper and safe use of the equipment.
Uses and Benefits of E-Stim Therapy
When used for recovery, rehabilitation, muscle training, or pain relief, EMS and TENS devices are normally prescription-only and administered by professionals: for example, sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, or orthopedists. There are however, some devices available for over-the-counter purchase and home use.
Some of the common uses of prescription EMS therapy include:
• Relieving back spasms. Electric muscle stimulation can relax back muscles, easing tightness and soreness in the lower back area. Sciatica symptoms, for example, can be caused by back muscles in spasm. Stopping the spasm may relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve. EMS can also help with muscle tightness and soreness from other spinal issues, including postural problems and scoliosis.
• Working weakened or atrophied muscles. Broken bones, soft tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, neuromuscular disorders, stroke, and certain forms of illness can inhibit movement and exercise, causing muscles to become weak from disuse. E-stim can be used to keep these muscles active and prevent atrophy.
• Retraining muscles after surgery or illness. Occasionally, following orthopedic surgery or illness (such as a stroke), a patient may have difficulty contracting muscles at will. In such cases, e-stim can be used for “muscle re-education.” The electrical impulses contract the muscle involuntarily. If the patient concentrates on voluntarily contracting this muscle during the therapy, the brain may re-learn how to do so without help.
• Aiding athletic recovery. E-stim active recovery program settings use specific low-level frequencies to increase blood flow, remove lactic acid, release endorphins, and promote muscle relaxation. Athletes working out at high intensity levels–who may be prone to intense cramping or spasms–may find this program beneficial. Endurance athletes, for example, may wish to work regular e-stim sessions into their routines so they can keep their muscles loose and continue training without injury. TENS therapy, on the other hand, is normally used to manage pain (acute or chronic), rather than working with muscle function. Many varieties of TENS devices can be purchased without a prescription for use at home. However, patients are advised to consult with a doctor first, to receive instruction and guidance regarding how to select and use the equipment.