Electrical stimulation involves sending electrical currents through the skin and into muscles.
This may help reduce pain, stimulate tissue healing, and strengthen muscles.
Along with other forms of treatment, you may receiveelectrical stimulationas part of your therapy.
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Keep reading to learn more about electrical stimulation (e-stim) and how it’s used in physical therapy.
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What Is Electrical Stimulation?
Why E-Stim Is Used
Electrical stimulation is used for many reasons in physical therapy.
You do nothing (or very little) while the treatment is being applied.
Most successful rehab programs includeactiveparticipation by the patient.
Learning the right movements and exercises for your specific condition is extremely important.
Other research indicates that some types of stimulation can be useful.
So knowing what it is and what to expect can be helpful.
Your physical therapist should also discuss the expected risks and benefits.
If you feel pain during electrical stimulation, tell your physical therapist.
They will adjust the treatment or stop using it.
Learn about some of the types available.
Your physical therapist will useTENSto decrease your pain by applying electrodes to your body over painful areas.
The electrical current pushes various medications through your skin and into your body.
Your physical therapist will likely use medicine to decrease inflammation or muscle spasms.
Iontophoresis drugs can also be used to break up calcium deposits that may occur in conditions likeshoulder calcific tendonitis.
Different medicines are used to accomplish different goals using iontophoresis.
By placing electrodes on the skin in various locations, the physical therapist can activate the appropriate muscle fibers.
Contracting the muscle via electrical stimulation helps improve the way your affected muscle contracts.
The physical therapist can change the current setting to allow for a forceful or gentle muscle contraction.
Along with increasing muscle function, the contraction of the muscle also promotes blood flow to the area.
This helps the injury heal.
NMES can also be used to help decrease muscular spasms by tiring out the muscle that is in spasm.
This allows it to relax.
It improves the way your muscles contract.
Russian stim simply uses a different waveform that may be a little more comfortable for you to tolerate.
It is often used for low back pain.
Interferential current typically uses four electrodes in a crisscross pattern.
It is used to relieve pain, improve blood flow, relieve muscle spasm, and improve joint mobility.
Limitations of E-Stim
Keep in mind that many forms of electrical stimulation are a passive treatment.
You do nothing while receiving the stimulation.
Active engagement in your physical therapy program with or without electrical stimulation gives you the best results.
Electrical stimulation should never be the only treatment you receive during physical therapy.
If this happens, tearing of your muscle tissue may occur.
In this case, the e-stim should be stopped immediately.
The healthcare provider should then begin treatment for an acute muscle injury.
This may include rest, ice, and elevating the injured body part.
Iontophoresis uses a direct current during tool.
This has been known to irritate the skin.
Sometimes, people with sensitive skin may be irritated by the electrode’s adhesive or by the electrical stimulation.
If irritation occurs, the procedure should be stopped.
Then a soothing lotion may be applied to the affected area.
But when you get a tissue burn, the physical therapist should immediately stop the procedure.
Appropriate skin care should be provided to treat the burn.
Understanding these risks can help you decide if you want to include it in your rehab.
Your physical therapist should pay attention to these factors that make it necessary to avoid e-stim.
But it is important to remind them of any medical condition that could negatively interact with e-stim.
How Much Does Electrical Stimulation Cost?
Some insurance providers may also limit coverage to qualifying conditions.
It is best to check with your insurance provider to understand potential out-of-pocket expenses.
It’s also used for people dealing with pain, spasms, or muscle weakness.
There are various forms of electrical stimulation your physical therapist may choose to use.
In the procedure, the physical therapist places electrodes on the part of your body that requires treatment.
You will experience a tingling sensation during the therapy.
The treatment is not supposed to be painful.
Frequently Asked Questions
EMS is used in physical therapy to treat muscle weakness and poor motor control.
Medical conditions that respond well to e-stim include lower back pain, tendonitis, bursitis, and post-surgical pain.
STIM, TENS, and EMS are all terms used somewhat interchangeably for electric muscle stimulation (EMS).
TENS is a medical term, while STIM is often used in fitness.
Maybe, but not in the way it is often marketed.
Research shows that EMS can increase muscle mass and improve functioning.
However, the study was performed on people with a muscle injury or muscle atrophy.
After six weeks of treatment three times a week, muscle mass increased by just 1%.
Muscle function improved by 10% to 15%.
2016;138(3 Suppl):94S-104S.
Medicare.org.Does Medicare cover e-stim?
Adams V.Electromyostimulation to fight atrophy and to build muscle: facts and numbers.J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle.
