If you’re recovering from an injury or illness that resulted in pain and loss of functional mobility, your doctor may suggest electrical stimulation therapy. The treatment is widely used by physical therapists to decrease pain and inflammation, improve circulation, and promote proper muscle contractions. In fact, it turns out to show magnificent results even when all other methods fail (especially regular medications and pain killers).
Among the many types of electrical stimulation therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation or NMES proves to be most beneficial for treating injuries and illnesses that affect muscles and range of motion in patients. But what is NMES exactly and who benefits from using it? We reveal answers to these and many other questions in our guide to understanding the NMES device.
What is Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)?
NMES is a part of broad electrotherapy methods that use electricity to reduce pain, repair tissues, strengthen muscles, and much more. They target nerves in the body to patch them up, strengthen their core, or make them more or less susceptible to pain. In general, all electrical stimulation treatments use electricity to increase or decrease activity in the nervous system – they just do it in different ways.
The NMES device sends electricity through the skin to target particular nerves in the body and cause the muscles to contract. How is that beneficial for your body, you may ask? Well, because NMES therapy makes you exercise even when you’re sitting still!
How NMES Works?
NMES therapy is conducted through a device that uses a low-frequency current to stimulate the nerves in desired muscles. The device contains a small box wired with conductive pads you need to place over the affected area. The pads send the electrical current through the surface of your skin right to the nerves in your body and cause the muscles to contract and relax. Basically, this is an artificial exercise. The machine uses current to do what your brain does – send a signal to your muscles and make them move.
After an injury or illness, people need to spend some time resting for a full recovery. Some of them can’t even move on their own, facing unbearable pain and a limited range of motion. In these situations, an NMES device treats the muscles instead of you and reduces swelling and pain for a faster and healthier recovery.
What is NMES Used For?
NMES is focused on therapeutic use and mainly intended for relaxing muscle spasms, increasing blood circulation, preventing muscle atrophy, and increasing range of motion. By contracting and relaxing muscles, NMES promotes proper body functioning, healthy healing, and higher mobility.
Sports medicine often uses NMES therapy to strengthen and maintain muscles in patients who are unable to move on their own for prolonged periods. In fact, the therapy is used for anyone who suffered an injury or had to stay inactive for a long time because it reduces pain and allows the body to relax.
Pros and Cons of NMES
NMES benefits are many, but there are also some downsides patients need to consider before deciding to start with the treatment. We composed a list of the pros and cons of NMES units to help you sum up your impressions and make an informed decision.
Pros:
- NMES strengthens muscles and increases the overall body strength, which is highly beneficial for athletes who can improve their training results
- The treatment promotes safe and fast healing, especially after injury or surgery
- NMES also enhances blood circulation, tones the body, and speeds up fat loss
- You can get an NMES unit without breaking the bank and use it at home from the comfort of your couch
Cons:
- Some studies argue that NMES is not that beneficial for people who are already active and in training
- The treatment may also come with some side effects such as dizziness, muscle spasms, and headaches
Who is a Good Candidate for NMES?
NMES units are widely used and can be found almost anywhere. You can rent or purchase them on the internet within a few seconds and start your treatment right away. Still, we recommend caution. Although NMES units are not likely to cause harm to your body, they might not be suitable for your particular problem. You should consult your doctor or physical therapist before taking any action. He or she will run the necessary test to determine whether NMES is something you can benefit from and advise you accordingly.
NMES should be suitable for anyone suffering from muscle pain and spasms and facing muscle weakening and atrophy. The treatment doesn’t show any worrying side effects, but doctors don’t recommend it for patients with pacemakers or those who are pregnant or have allergic reactions to electrodes.
NMES FAQ
Is NMES the same as TENS?
No, these two devices are not the same, although they both use electrical current to treat different body areas. TENS stimulates the nerves in the body to block pain signals or release endorphins, meaning it reduces acute and chronic pain. NMES, on the other hand, stimulates nerves in muscles to promote contraction and cause artificial exercise. Thus, an NMES unit is better suited for muscle strengthening and healing.
You can find more information about the entire topic here.
Can you use NMES inadequately?
Yes, you can fail to use the NMES device properly and cause its lower efficiency. The most common mistakes people make when using an NMES device include incorrect electrode and body positioning. The unit needs to be aligned with the nerves and muscles to reach its full potential. Furthermore, patients need to use enough electricity to stimulate the muscles but also know when to stop, so they don’t overuse the device.
We recommend you consult a professional before using the device on your own. That way, you can ensure proper results and avoid potential side effects.
Can you overuse NMES?
You can overuse NMES and experience some side effects as a result. Although nothing serious, NMES overuse can cause skin burns, muscle soreness, and similar.
Pacific Biomedical NMES Machine
Are you more confident about NMES therapy now? Hopefully, our guide to understanding the NMES device has provided you with all the information you need to determine whether this is the right treatment for you or not. The only thing left for you to do is to consult your doctor and physical therapist, and you’re all set to start with NMES!
Once you finish up with the preparations, take a look at the NMES device offered by Pacific Biomedical. We provide our customers with the best in-home recovery systems in Greater Phoenix. Our NMES device is designed to help people recover from injuries and surgeries without leaving the comfort of their homes.
The system is easy to set up, move around, and use. You can use it for relieving symptoms followed by strokes, head, and spinal injuries, neurological disorders (e.g. multiple sclerosis), joint replacements, tendon repairs, urinary and rectal incontinence, and much more.
Pacific Biomedical doesn’t only offer an affordable and user-friendly NMES device – we set it up for the first time! Our team will deliver the unit right on your doorstep and show you how to use NMES, so you can enjoy therapy all on your own in the future. Contact us today and get your perfect little device for in-home recovery!
