Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Find Fast Pain Relief With Electrical Stimulation
Did You Know Electrical Stimulation Could Help Relieve Your Pain?
Electrical stimulation is a safe and efficient therapy technique that may alleviate pain and promote healing in various conditions.
A conventional electrical stimulation device uses self-adhesive electrodes applied to muscles involved in painful areas of the body. The electrodes are then attached to the device through wire leads, which allow electricity to travel through and eventually interact with sensory and/or motor nerves.
Do you have an ailment or injury that is causing you discomfort? If this is the case, electrical stimulation might be part of the physical therapy treatment plan. Learn more about Wellspring Health Center in Eden Prairie, MN by requesting a free consultation.
What can I expect from an electrical stimulation session?
Electrical stimulation is often given for pain treatment. This modality may induce a natural analgesic effect by activating certain sensory nerve fibers (including A-beta, A-delta, and C fibers), which alleviate pain while also releasing neurotransmitters that extend the analgesic effect.
Electrical stimulation has many other benefits, including:
- Improve motor coordination
- Increase local circulation
- Improve range of motion
- Reduce muscle spasm
- Reduce, eliminate, and/or control pain (both acute and chronic)
- Provide biofeedback (aka improve body awareness)
- Provide neuromuscular re-education
- Decrease swelling
Electrical stimulation is also completely safe to apply on any part of the body – even the anterior neck and areas with diminished sensitivity.
However, not everyone is a candidate for electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation is not likely to be recommended in patients with deep vein thrombosis, pregnant women, those with pacemakers, and individuals with poor cognition.
Some of the most common conditions treated with electrical stimulation include:
- Chronic back pain or neck pain
- Acute sports-related or auto accident-related injuries
- Muscle strains
- Ligament sprains
- Repetitive stress injuries
Is electrical stimulation painful?
Simply stated, no! What’s more, the degree of electrical muscle stimulation or sensory nerve stimulation may be simply adjusted to meet each patient’s tolerance. Electrical stimulation may be used in various methods to activate the nerves.
Each of these modes uses a different current, and the current suggested for you will depend on the type and severity of your ailment. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), interferential, pre-modulated, Russian, and symmetrical or asymmetrical biphasic are the various modalities.
Some patients report feeling a slight sensation, such as a “tingly,” “prickly,” or “pins and needles” feeling. When used for muscle strengthening, electrical stimulation can sometimes become a bit uncomfortable, but it should never result in pain.
How can I benefit from electrical stimulation?
Our top priorities are your comfort, safety, and dignity at our Eden Prairie, MN physical therapy facility.
At your first consultation, you will have a physical examination and be asked questions about your current health status and medical history. Following that, one of our certified physical therapists will develop a tailored treatment plan for you based on your unique circumstances. If our physical therapist feels electrical stimulation would benefit you, they will thoroughly explain it and include it into your therapy plan.
A physical therapist will assist you through the whole electrical stimulation treatment process. You will be requested to sit or lay in a comfortable posture, and your skin in the target treatment region will be cleansed and prepared before the treatment begins.
Find relief for your pain today!
If you’re interested in learning more about electrical stimulation or believe it could benefit you, call Wellspring Health Center in Eden Prairie, MN today for a free consultation. We’ll get you started on the road to healing and pain relief!
