Electric Muscle Stimulation

E-stim uses electrical pulses to mimic the action of signals coming from neurons (cells in your nervous system). These mild electrical currents target either muscles or nerves.

E-stim therapy for muscle recovery sends signals to targeted muscles to make them contract. (Flexing your biceps is a form of muscle contraction.) By causing repeated muscle contractions, blood flow improves, helping repair injured muscles.

The type of e-stim that focuses on pain relief sends signals on a different wavelength so they reach the nerves, rather than the muscles. Electrical stimulation can block pain receptors from being sent from nerves to the brain.

One of the following similar e-stim treatments may help you, depending on your condition:

• Electrical stimulation for tissue repair (ESTR) helps reduce swelling, increase circulation, and speed up wound healing.
• Interferential current (IFC) stimulates nerves to reduce pain.
• Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) stimulates the nerves in muscles to restore function and strength, prevent muscle atrophy, and reduce muscle spasms.
• Functional electrical stimulation (FES) involves a unit implanted in the body to provide long-term muscle stimulation aimed at preserving function and motor skills.
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) uses an implantable device to relieve pain.
• Iontophoresis helps deliver ionically charged medication to tissue to help speed up healing.

• Electrodes are placed around the site receiving therapy.
• The electrical current will begin on a low setting and increased gradually.
• You’ll get a tingly, “pins and needles” feeling at the site.
• Depending on the type of e-stim, you may feel a muscle twitch or contract repeatedly.
• Each e-stim therapy session may last 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the condition being treated.