As we continue our Chiropractic Care Series, this new series, we are looking at Muscle Electrotherapy - a treatment in which electrical energy is used as a medical treatment for a variety of health issues. The process includes treating an area on the body through which low-level electrical currents are used to stimulate muscles, forcing them to contract. Chiropractors specifically make use of electrical stimulation to help in contracting the muscles. This is extremely helpful when the muscles lose strength and are unable to contract on their own.

What is Electrotherapy / Electrical Muscle Stimulation used for?

Electrotherapy / Electrical Muscle Stimulation is used in both treatments for chiropractic and rehabilitation. Some issues this treatment is used for include:

• Pain Management
• Treatment of Neuromuscular Dysfunction
• Improvement to Range of Joint Mobility
• Treatment of TissueR
• Treatment of Acute and Chronic Edema
• Improvement of Peripheral Blood Flow
• Treatment of Iontophoresis
• Treatment for Urine and Fecal Incontinence
• Relaxation of muscle spasms
• Prevention and retardation of disuse atrophy
• Increase of blood circulation, muscle rehabilitation and re-education electrical muscle stimulation,
• Management of post-traumatic acute pain, post surgical acute pain, immediate post-surgical stimulation of muscles to prevent venous thrombosis
• Wound healing
• Drug Delivery

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) has recently become overwhelmingly popular and has received increasing attention. This treatment has the potential to serve patients in a variety of ways including:

• A strength training tool for healthy subjects and athletes
• A rehabilitation and preventive tool for partially or totally immobilized patient
• A testing tool for evaluating the neural and/or muscular function in vivo
• A post-exercise recovery tool for athletes

Although EMS has a variety of benefits, there are some who should caution away from this treatment. If you have the following, try to avoid EMS:

• Heart Problems, including have a pacemaker
• Epilepsy
• Pregnancy, or lactating
• Uncontrolled blood pressure
• Cancer
• Fever, acute, bacterial or viral infections
• Tuberculosis
• Vertigo

Should I use Home Electrical Muscle Stimulation Devices?

Electrical Muscle Stimulation devices are available for people to use in their home. However, not all devices are made equal. Although you can achieve electronic muscle stimulation with these devices, you should know that you might only get the exact results from units produced for medical professionals.

If you are suffering from pain or looking to use Electrotherapy / Electrical Muscle Stimulation for treatment, please contact our office today to set up your consultation.