An electric muscle stimulator is a mechanical device designed mimic your bodies natural electric impulses which trigger muscle contraction, or nerve activity. The electrical muscle stimulator has been employed by athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians, to promote muscle growth, blood flow, muscle spasm, rehabilitation, greater muscle adaptations, strength increase, blood flow, motion range, and pain relief. While the majority use of muscle stimulation resides within the medical fields, its use has been gaining popularity with fitness buffs, bodybuilders, athletes, and people seeking alternative medical solutions. Most studies show positive results, with the caveat, when used in conjunction with standard exercise. So most likely, electric muscle stimulation will not end, trips to the gym, runs on the beach, or just good old fashion living.
Electric stimulators come in two types, the first, the electric muscle stimulation, or E.M.S does prove useful and effective in promoting early stages of muscle growth and blood flow, and a great tool for the rehabilitation of muscles which have atrophied, or are immobile. The second form of electric stimulation is the T.E.N.S. The T.E.N.S, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, focuses its electrical impulses toward the nerves blocking the pain signals to the brain and aid in releasing endorphins, our bodies natural pain relief and pleasure chemical. The T.E.N.S simulation device has been used a pain relief tool with people suffering from things like fibromyalgia and arthritis. It is important to keep the distinction between the two in mind when trying to decide which electric stimulation machine suits your needs.
There are many available options on the market. Machines used by professionals are much larger then the products being sold for home use and most consumer bought electric muscle stimulators will be small battery operated machines. Most have variable frequency dials, pulse amplitude and time settings. The units are connected to an array of wires, which in turn are connected to sticky conductive pads. Most pads range between two and four inches, use the larger pads on the larger muscle groups. The larger pads also create a higher-intensity impulse it is best to spread the electrical current effectively by placing them on the larger muscle groups, saving the lower-intensity smaller pads for the smaller muscle groups. To stimulate a particular muscle group only two pads, the positive and negative, need to be attached. Be sure to have good skin contact and keep the pads about one or two inches apart.
There are some product on the market which are incased or embedded into wearable belts or bands which deliver the current directly to the skin. At the end of the day muscle stimulators do have a viable function and have proven to be great tools in the beginning stages of muscle development and therapy and cases of immobility and atrophy; and the T.E.N.S. stimulation has been helpful to those suffering from continual nerve pain. Be sure to check with your physician before implementing any regular application, and do your research to find the muscle stimulator which best suits your personal needs.