Electrotherapy: TENS and EMS units
Basically, Electrotherapy is the use of electrical energy as a medical treatment more elaborately; it is the
use of electric currents passed through the body to stimulate nerves and
muscles, chiefly in the treatment of various forms of paralysis, it uses small electrical impulses to
repair tissue, stimulate muscles and increase sensations and muscle strength.
The term has
also been applied specifically to the use of electric current to speed wound
healing.
Several
different practices exist that makes use of electrical energy for treatment but
each type has its own frequency, waveforms and effects. Example includes:
1. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve
Stimulation (TENS) this is the most common type and most commonly used.
2. Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
this is also very much in use.
3. Interferential Current (IFC).
4. Galvanic Stimulation (GS).
Electrotherapy
is primarily used in physical therapy for relaxation of muscle spasms,
prevention and retardation of disuse atrophy, increase of local blood
circulation, muscle rehabilitation and re-education electrical muscle stimulation, maintaining and increasing range of motion, etc.
Benefits of electrotherapy
The
benefits of electrotherapy are wide-ranging and include a more advanced healing
process, a more effective circulatory system and increased muscle tone, a
reduction in pain, increased strength, increased range of movement, increased
speed and strength of muscle contractions and an increased rate of absorption.
Effects of electrotherapy
Side effects are rare, but may include allergic
skin irritation under the adhesive pads and transient pain from the electrical
charge.
How TENS and
EMS units work
Transcutaneous
Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
both use electrical energy in medical treatment. But they do so in different
ways
TENS units use electrotherapy to stimulate the nerves and active
therapeutic healing while (EMS), on the other hand, send electric impulses that
cause muscle contraction. TENS units have dual channel use; this gives users
the option to choose a preferable setting.
It is clear that TENS provides superior pain relief. Because of its
customizable settings, TENS units gives much more effective solutions.TENS machines works by sending stimulating pulses across the surface of the
skin and along the nerve strands.
Generally TENS machines are applied at high frequency (>50 Hz) with an intensity below motor contraction (sensory intensity) or low frequency (<10 Hz) with an intensity that produces motor contraction
EMS Muscle stimulators are used to relieve pain, reduce
spasms and edema, tonify weak muscles and assist the healing process. Known to
ease muscle tension, stiffness in joints or back areas, and known for
increasing motion restricted from disuse or atrophy, electronic muscle
stimulation can also increase local blood circulation. They’re
particularly more used among athletes, rehabilitation facilities, and in
physical therapy. Again, EMS helps strengthen the muscles, tendons, and tissue,
but the pain relief cannot be compared against a TENS device.
EMS devices feature low frequency stimulation to target
specific muscle groups. This is great to prevent atrophy in affected muscles
and improving the overall blood circulation. EMS
Units run at intensities from 1 to 130 Mega Hertz.
Both TENS
and EMS deliver low voltage electric impulses to stimulate.
NOTE:
TENS
stimulate the nerves while EMS causes the muscles to attract.
Either way, individuals should consult with a healthcare
professional before deciding to use electrotherapy to alleviate their pain.