Electrical Muscle Stimulation
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Electrical Muscle Stimulation
This page goes into more depth about EMS machines and the Neuromuscular Stimulation methods.
The basic principle behind the use of electrical muscle stimulation is to fight the atrophy of muscles and to increase blood flow to the area. It is also used in various treatments of muscle pain.
EMS uses electrical signals to trigger muscle movement. Your brain sends signals to your muscles which cause it to contract and relax. The EMS machine does the same thing. It sends and external electrical impulse which your brain has no control over and causes involuntary muscle contractions. There are even some nerves which you can not voluntary control to stimulate certain muscles. EMS can send signals to these nerves which normally have little activity. There have been studies that showed EMS had positive results when treating injuries.
Is it painful? The answer depends on your sensitivity to the treatment. Some people have no problems with the stimulation while others have claimed the process to be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. It also depends largely on the intensity of the electrical signal.
Athletes today are using EMS to enhance their workout. They have been using these methods for over 20 years to improve muscle tone and endurance. Fitness companies have been making personal simulators for years. They advertise that it will tone your abs, lose weight, make you look better, etc. These devices should only be used in conjunction with a normal workout and should not be the only source of muscle exercise.
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