Electronic Stimulation
What Is Electrical Stimulation?
Electrical stimulation is a type of physical therapy modality or treatment used to accomplish various tasks in physical therapy (PT). The idea is that applying an electrical current helps strengthen muscles, block pain signals, and improve blood circulation.
If you have an injury or illness that causes pain or prevents you from easily moving around, your physical therapist may use electrical stimulation, or e-stim, as a part of your rehabilitation program.
Why E-Stim Is Used
Electrical stimulation is used for many reasons in physical therapy. It can be used to:
- Provide medication for inflammation
- Improve muscles that are weak or not functioning correctly
- Help decrease pain or spasms
If you are experiencing pain, spasms, inflammation, or muscle weakness, your physical therapist may use this treatment to help you.
Some of the medical conditions you can treat with e-stim include:
- Back pain
- Post-surgical pain
- Joint pain
- Muscle weakness or poor motor control
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
What to Expect During E-Stim
If your physical therapist chooses to use electrical stimulation during your rehab, they should explain the procedure to you. Your physical therapist should also discuss the expected risks and benefits. A typical application of e-stim goes something like this:
- Your physical therapist applies electrodes to the part of the body that needs treatment. These electrodes are connected through a wire to an e-stim machine.
- You will feel a slight tingling sensation.
- The sensation will be increased until it feels strong but comfortable.
- If the e-stim is used for muscle spasms or pain relief, you will relax during the treatment.
- If the electricity is used to improve muscular strength or function, you may be required to squeeze or contract your muscle as the machine is working.
Portable E-Stim Units For Sale
As an option, our patients can purchase portable TENS for back/neck/nerve pain relief. We carry the TENS 7000, a time-tested TENS unit that has sold over 1M devices worldwide. Our units are simple to use and provide immediate pain relief. This is a dual-channel unit that comes with four TENS unit pads to target sore and painfully areas.
