What is Electrical Stimulation?
If you’ve been to a physical therapist or chiropractor before, chances are you have seen or experienced electrical muscle stimulation. Also known as e-stim or EMS, electrical muscle stimulation utilizes electricity to stimulate the muscles and nerves of a region to relax the area. Our Omaha chiropractors and physical therapist utilize e-stim for a variety of reasons in the office. Read below for why our doctors utilize e-stim and the different types!
Benefits of Electrical Stimulation
Electrical muscle stimulation has many benefits, including:
- Reducing muscle spasm
- Production of enkephalins and endorphins (happy hormones)
- Improving blood flow and circulation
- Decreasing edema and swelling
- Increasing strength of muscles
- Decreasing or preventing muscle atrophy
As a result of these benefits, electrical muscle stimulation has many conditions it can help with. These include:
- Pain relief
- Nerve disorders
- Nerve damage
- Rehabilitation from acute and chronic injuries
- Muscle spasm
- Nerve regeneration
- Muscle reeducation
- Spastic muscles
- Exercise muscles weight free
- Neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy
- Post-surgical muscle rehabilitation
- Many more!
Since the electric currents stimulate muscle contraction, our doctors are able to use electrical muscle stimulation to activate muscles you may not be able to use due to nerve damage or pain. This can prevent atrophy and encourage healing.
Types of Electrical Muscle Stimulation Our Omaha Chiropractors Use
There are different types of electrical muscle stimulation. Here is an overview of the ones we utilize in our Omaha chiropractic office.
Interferential Therapy is the main form of electrical muscle stimulation our doctors use. Interferential therapy utilizes four pads with two currents to treat a broad or specific area depending on your complaint. Treatment with interferential therapy usually utilizes two frequencies to encourage production of both happy hormones (enkephalins and endorphins) and muscle relaxation. Treatment time is 15-20 minutes.
The other form of electrical stimulation we utilize in our Omaha chiropractic office is TENS therapy. TENS is mostly utilized for acute and chronic pain control as it does not cause muscle contraction. TENS units can be worn all day and are a great alternative to pain medication! Most TENS units are small, portable, and wearable so you are able to use them anywhere at any time.
Interested in how electrical muscle stimulation can help you or wanting more information? Click here to schedule an appointment or call 402-408-6561 today!
