Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
Rebuilding Strength & Control
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) or Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) uses electrical impulses to cause muscle contractions. It is a powerful tool for re-educating muscles that have become weak or inhibited due to pain, surgery, or injury.
Why Use Electrical Stimulation?
After a surgery (like ACL reconstruction) or a long period of immobilization (casting), muscles often "forget" how to fire properly. This is called muscle inhibition. EMS bypasses the brain's hesitation and directly stimulates the motor nerves to contract the muscle.
Key Applications
- Post-Surgical Rehab: Reactivating quadriceps after knee surgery.
- Preventing Atrophy: Keeping muscles active when a patient cannot move the limb voluntarily.
- Stroke Rehabilitation: Retraining muscles in paralyzed limbs to improve function.
- Sports Performance: Supplementing strength training (though physio focuses on rehab).
How It Feels
Unlike TENS (which is a tingling sensation), EMS causes a visible, strong contraction of the muscle. It can feel strange or intense, but it is necessary to get the muscle working again. Your physiotherapist will adjust the intensity to your tolerance.
Regain Your Strength
Find expert physiotherapists using advanced rehabilitation techniques like EMS.