Table of contents:
- What is EMS?
- How does E-Stim work?
- Is exercise using EMS safe?
- Another benefit of EMS
- 1. Controls chronic and acute pain
- 2. Improve muscle function
- 3. Controlling incontinence
- 4. Relieve muscle spasms
- 5. Medication media
- 6. Helps heal wounds
Safe exercise is certainly a must. With the development of technology, especially in the health sector, it is easier for us to exercise. One more technology that you can feel the benefits of is Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS).
What is EMS?
Electrical Muscle Stimulation or E-Stim utilize pulses of electric current to mimic signals coming from neurons (cells in your nervous system). This light electric current targets the muscles or nerves.
E-Stim therapy, which is performed for muscle recovery, sends signals to the muscles for them to contract (such as bending the muscles of the upper arm). By producing repeated muscle contractions, blood flow is increased, which helps repair injured muscles.
The muscles that are targeted by EMS also experience increased strength following repeated cycles of contraction and relaxation. This therapy can also "train" the muscles to respond to the body's natural signals to contract.
This is very helpful for stroke sufferers who basically have to go back to learning basic motor functions. In addition, exercise that is accompanied by experts using EMS is useful for helping the effectiveness of muscle development.
How does E-Stim work?
This physical therapy uses small electrodes that are placed on the skin. These electrodes are in the form of small, sticky pads. Several electrodes are attached around the area that will receive treatment.
For muscle stimulation, electrical pulses or jolts reach the muscles, signaling the muscles to contract. Even during safe sports, the attachment of electrodes is possible as long as it is with good procedures.
Is exercise using EMS safe?
In an article discussing the effects of EMS on muscle tone written in 2017, it is evident that electrical muscle stimulation can encourage and develop muscle mass during therapy.
As for increasing muscle strength, it needs to be accompanied by functional activities or other safe and routine sports, which cannot be done by EMS alone. Therefore, if the use of EMS is accompanied by other sports, muscle mass and strength will both increase.
Another benefit of EMS
If you are wondering why the doctor or physical therapist you have met recommends using E-Stim technology as a safe exercise, here are the benefits you need to know.
1. Controls chronic and acute pain
There is a type of electrical stimulation, namely TENS (Transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation) which can be used to help control pain or aches.
The electric current generated by this device stimulates the nerve endings in the skin that send pain to the brain. The signal is then "interrupted" by the electric current to help reduce the pain you feel.
2. Improve muscle function
Accompanied safe exercise personal trainer may use E-Stim to help increase your muscle contractions. Muscle contraction is especially important after undergoing surgery, injury, or being immobile for a long time.
3. Controlling incontinence
Incontinence is a medical condition in which you are unable to hold back the urge to urinate. With electrical stimulation physical therapy, this helps the muscles that keep urine flowing back to normal.
4. Relieve muscle spasms
When experiencing muscle spasms while exercising, EMS can help reduce your symptoms. The applied electricity can make the muscles that are spasm contract and relax alternately to help reduce muscle tension.
5. Medication media
Iontophoresis is a type of electrical stimulation that physical therapists use to administer drugs. The current can push the drug through the skin and reach the tissue that needs to be treated.
6. Helps heal wounds
High-voltage electrical stimulation has been shown to be beneficial for wounds that are difficult to heal. The current helps increase circulation around the wound tip to aid in healing.
As long as they are accompanied by an expert or following a doctor's referral, EMS as a safe sport can be used by anyone, such as at the gym. Of course you need to follow the procedure so that the benefits of EMS can be felt properly and maximally.
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