Do myostimulants help build muscles? Electrical muscle stimulation in practical medicine

Very vulgar about myostimulators.

1. The key word is not electrical stimulator, but myostimulator (muscle stimulator)

2. The topic was first thought about and developed by military doctors back in the USSR. Soon after the war.
They worked for the wounded who lay in bed for a long time. Later - for submariners, astronauts - everyone who moves little and loses muscle tone. Even later for athletes to international sports olympiads where achievements are important.

3. With perestroika, all developments went to the west and southeast, where they received a rebirth as consumer goods. By that time, cheap semiconductors had appeared that could generate short pulses without problems. There was a problem with the generation of short pulses - then it could only be radio tubes. Then there were queues for TVs.
There was no need to talk about myostimulants as consumer goods.

4. The idea of ​​electrically stimulating muscles with short pulses turned out to be fruitful.
An impulse or a train of short impulses - 100-500 μs (microseconds), followed rarely - 1-400 times per second leads to a short-term displacement of ions near the nerve endings - myonerons, and this leads to contraction of muscle fibers.

5. The trick is that the average current value in pulse mode is insignificant. This allows you to increase the pulse amplitude to 100 mA, i.e. create an electric field of noticeable volume in the body and force muscles remote from the surface of the body to contract. It should be recalled that a horse is killed by an AVERAGE current of 30 mA (milliamps), and here in a pulse it is up to 180 mA, but the average value is much less.

5a. It is useful to remind everyone who taught and has long forgotten what an electric field is. This is not a field where cows graze. This is the space in which charged particles begin to move.
According to this criterion, all substances found in nature are divided into conductors - they contain charged particles and dielectrics - substances in which there are practically no charges.
In email The field practically does not move anything inside the dielectrics.

A person with his bones, meat, fat and liquids is a conductor. It is saturated with charged particles - ions of sodium, potassium, iron, etc. Under the influence of impulses that create short time email field in the human body, the ions begin to move, but immediately return to their place because The impulses are bipolar and short. This displacement of charged particles is enough to cause muscle fiber contraction.

The MYONEURON reacts - a nerve cell attached to a muscle fiber. It’s as if she receives an impulse from the brain. In fact, its impulse is a reaction to a short-term displacement of charged particles near the myoneuron itself. It’s just the way it is - charges interact with charges. Likely charged things repel, oppositely charged ones attract. This is how the impulse penetrates the myoneuron and causes the muscle fiber to which it is attached to contract.

6. Not everything is in a decrepit body muscle fibers are being reduced. Not every myoneuron associated with a muscle fiber conducts an impulse from the central nervous system. There are many reasons for this.
And then there is a powerful third-party source of a pulsed electric field - all myoneurones that find themselves in the electric field will literally jerk their muscle fibers. The entire muscle will begin to contract, the blood flow will also change, and fat and protein deposits will be pressed away from the moving muscles.
The general feeling is ease in controlling the body as after a workout and no fatigue - lactic acid poisoning.

7. Muscle contractions occur with virtually no release of lactic acid, which poisons the muscles. During normal training, lactic acid must be removed from the muscles. It is muscle poisoning that limits the duration of certain body movements. And here you can shake the muscle faster. In 20 minutes it’s like running 20 km.

It is clear that this can be used to train athletes, which is done while keeping the “training program” in great secrecy before important competitions.

8. Muscle mass noticeably responds to myostimulation with growth. The quality of life increases - in old age you can live in a young body. Unfortunately, the effect of such training lasts 1-2 days. To strengthen it, you either need to move more or regularly connect yourself to a myostimulator. For obese people with excess weight over 10 kg - change the diet and do not wait to lose weight faster than 4 weeks. The fat comes back quickly.

9. There are contraindications, but they are few.
There are no side effects from long-term (years) myostimulation.
Everything, of course, should be taken in moderation, and not to the point of burns at the points of contact with the electrodes.
General recommendations - three days a week for 20 minutes at a level of comfortable muscle tremor - is quite enough.

10. It is important for old people that the muscles of the spine and skeleton can be developed. Get rid of joint pain because... myostimulation naturally eliminates pain from vertebral hernia and pinched nerve fibers almost everywhere where applicators that supply pulsed currents are placed. Also with pain in the hip joints, knee, foot, elbows and neck.

11. The electric field reaches deep, even to the muscles of the stomach, which allows you to change its tone in better side. Plus improved blood flow. The body corrects itself, bringing the necessary components to sick, sick places.

12. A few words about prices.
Actually, the price prompted me to do a search for information.
For 25 years I have suffered from my wife’s character. Her ailments, stomach, head - we share all this together.
This helped her. She dared to pay 95,000 rubles for a Korean device, which, in my opinion as an electronics engineer, is not worth that kind of money. Simple pulse generators, and if there is a processor, i.e. a computer that controls generators according to a program that can be changed - all the same - no more expensive than a mobile phone, and here are these numbers.

It turned out that there really are inexpensive myostimulators from 450 rubles - toys. Make cubes on your stomach. Medium - 1500-3000 rubles - up to 50 programs for different occasions. And there are expensive ones up to 120,000 rubles. professional multi-program and multi-channel. With their help you can heal the entire village. However, the village can be treated with cheaper models for 3-9 thousand rubles.

Expensive models are often focused on cosmetology. Small electrodes. Lots of channels.
It’s worth remembering that there are about 200 muscles on the face. People do not have such a simple interface to communicate with each other through facial expressions. It is important to tighten these muscles, they also become weaker, and the skin becomes thinner.
Remove fat from the face, strengthen muscles, smooth out wrinkles. Ultrasound is used with skin nourishing creams to prolong the effects. It is clear that these models will exploit women's needs for beauty and will be much more expensive.

Keywords for searching - where, what and from whom to buy on the Internet - are on the website www.allmio.ru

The EM41 model (Germans) turned out to be quite good. Powered by 3 AAA batteries. 50 programs.
The size of a pack of cigarettes. Good for hiking - weight 108g - 3 modes (pain relief, muscle training, massage)

In the "pain relief" mode there are subroutines with short pulses that are used for electrosleep. Sleep without sleeping pills is guaranteed. Calm your tired legs and fall asleep - you won’t remember when - the device turns off automatically.

A significant drawback is that Velcro electrodes become old quickly. You need to have spare ones.
Or make it yourself from foil. Glue the foil to thin rubber, and do not remove the Velcro itself to the foil. Lubricate the foil with gel before applying the electrodes to the body.

You will get covered in the gel, but the electrodes will last a long time. There is room for creativity here,
for example, you can create an individual “electric chair” with contact electrodes
For different parts bodies. A suitable gel is sold in a network of medical equipment stores, for example, for ultrasound.
Take a more viscous one.

Expand discussion thread

The human body is capable of self-healing, but sometimes (after injuries, surgeries) this can take quite a long time. For successful and more quick recovery Various are used in medicine. Therefore, we will further analyze what electrical stimulation of the back muscles is, how it is useful and how it is carried out.

The technique is widely used for the rehabilitation of patients after various types of pain, disorders of the functioning of the nervous system, and muscle hypertonicity.

Why is the procedure useful?

The benefits of current stimulation sessions are obvious. So, Using this technology allows you to achieve the following results:

The procedure shows high results in therapy

1. Prevention of muscle tissue atrophy.
2. Restoration of nutrition processes and elimination of metabolic products.
3. Reducing pain of any localization.
4. Increased adaptation and muscle fatigue limit.
5. Promoting the process of tissue regeneration.

Regular stimulation also ensures recovery " feedback"with the cerebral cortex.

Thanks to this, the nervous regulation of muscle tissue contractions is gradually restored. This is a great achievement in the treatment of severe pathologies (paralysis, paresis).

Devices for the procedure

All devices for electrical muscle stimulation have a main unit in which a current of the required frequency and strength is generated, as well as electrodes attached to the body.

Reference. Each device has different operating modes necessary for a specific muscle group.

Devices are divided into several types according to their purpose:

• professional- used in medicine and cosmetology;
• low-power- intended for use at home.

Devices are also distinguished based on the nature of the outgoing currents:

1. "Amplipulse-4.5", "Stimul-1"- for recovery and stimulation of muscles using sinusoidal currents of high frequencies, modulated by low frequencies.
2. "Neuropulse", "UEI-1"- used for reduced electrical excitability of muscles. Currents flow in rectified mode.

Various devices have been developed for stimulating muscles with current.

There are many other devices in medicine, each of which has its own application features: “NET”, “Tonus-1”, “Myovolna”, etc.

Electrical stimulation at home

The technique is quite simple to perform, so you can perform electrical muscle stimulation at home.

The session flow includes several stages and looks like this:

Can be used at home

• electrodes are moistened with water and placed on the affected muscle tissue and secured with bandages;
• wires are connected;
• a suitable program is launched on the device;
• The current strength increases in stages, 3-4 minutes after the start of the electric shock, until the moment when the current is no longer felt. muscle contractions;
• after the end of the session, the device is turned off and the electrodes are removed;
• The skin in the area where the electrodes are applied is treated with a tonic to moisturize.

It is imperative to study the instructions for the electrical muscle stimulator, which will ensure the correctness of the procedure and the effectiveness of the treatment. If the technique of performing sessions is not followed, side effects may develop.

How often can the procedures be done?

How often can you do electrical muscle stimulation?? Treatment with a similar physiotherapeutic method is carried out 2-3 times a week, however, it is possible to conduct a session every other day (depending on the indications).

Reference. The therapeutic course includes 10-20 sessions.

The duration of the procedure should be approximately 20-40 minutes. A repeat course can be taken no earlier than 1 month after the previous one.

Side effects

There are practically no side effects

There are practically no side effects of electrical muscle stimulation.

The only thing that can be noted is a feeling of muscle discomfort during the session and after it.

Also, an inflammatory reaction may occur at the points of contact between the skin and the electrodes.

In order to avoid such undesirable reactions from the body, the patient must monitor his well-being during sessions. If discomfort occurs, even minor, the patient should inform the doctor.

The list of contraindications to electrical muscle stimulators is extensive. When prescribing therapy, it must be taken into account by the doctor.

Important! The procedure may accelerate the progression of some diseases, leading to undesirable consequences.

It is prohibited to carry out the procedure in the presence of the following circumstances and diseases:

Has a large list of contraindications

• oncology;
• infectious diseases;
• arterial hypertension;
• epilepsy;
• hyperthyroidism;
• blood pathologies;
• heart failure above degree 2;
• active form of rheumatism
• presence of pacemakers;
• formations of a benign nature;
• atrial fibrillation;
• phlebitis, thrombophlebitis;
• violations of the integrity of the skin (abrasions, wounds, cuts);
• condition after suturing muscles, tendons, nerves (for 1 month).

This method of treatment should not be used in pregnant women., since the procedures can cause an increase in uterine tone, which can result in miscarriage or premature birth (depending on the stage of pregnancy).

Conclusion

Therapy of pathologies of the nervous and muscular system cannot be imagined without physiotherapeutic techniques. Among the variety of procedures, electrical stimulation is the most active and shows high results in treatment.

Description of the method
Electrical muscle stimulation is an internationally recognized clinical method of physiotherapy in specialties such as orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation. When applied to a central or peripheral partially damaged nerve, electrical stimulation can induce a muscle response in patients with limited or lost muscle activity. This method is a complement to physical therapy and should be combined with active training, strength and coordination exercises. The method is simple and suitable for treatment both in a hospital and on an outpatient basis at home.

Operating principle
NMES stimulates the motor nerves to generate muscle contractions, as opposed to low frequency TENS which creates small muscle twitches. NMES also stimulates A-beta nerve fibers (as does TENS), which has an analgesic effect.

Examples of indications

• restoration of quadriceps function after surgery
• maintaining or increasing the range of active movements
• capillarization
• reduction of muscle atrophy/hypotrophy
• maintaining muscle strength during the period of immobilization
• prevention of loss of muscle strength after surgery, for example on vastus medialis
• reduction of spasticity, such as reciprocal inhibition of the flexor muscles of the arms in patients with hemiplegia
• training after partial peripheral nerve injury with reinnervation symptoms such as plexus injury
• peroneal muscle stimulation
• incontinence treatment
• anesthesia
• warm-up
• increased muscle strength
• recovery

Treatment by NMES method

Installation of electrodes
To achieve good results Correct placement of the electrodes is extremely important. The muscle contracts due to stimulation of the motor nerve. The motor point is the area on the skin that is closest to the point where the motor nerve enters the muscle. This is the most advantageous place to induce contraction using electrical impulses. The NMES programs of Cefar stimulators generate a symmetrical biphasic wave, that is, the polarity is constantly changing. This means that both electrodes are equally active.

There are different methods for positioning the electrodes. The most optimal way is to install a pair of electrodes above the elevated area of ​​a given muscle. By installing one electrode over the motor point of the muscle, you will get the strongest possible muscle contraction without discomfort. When installing electrodes over motor points different muscles You can effectively work large muscle groups.

What size electrodes should I choose?
A larger muscle group requires a larger electrode area. For a small muscle group, small electrodes are better suited, as they are more specific, which provides a higher current density (mA/cm2). Large muscle groups may also require dual-channel stimulation, which uses four electrodes simultaneously.

What pulse frequency and duration should I choose?

NMES typically operates at frequencies of 20-120 Hz. To increase blood circulation, choose frequencies up to 10 Hz. The goal is to induce vibrations, not contractions. Adjust the pulse duration relative to the amount of energy in each pulse. When stimulating a small muscle group, a short pulse (say 200 µs) is usually sufficient, while a long pulse (eg 400 µs) is used for a large muscle group.

NMES 20-70 Hz

1.Lift
2.Stimulation period
3.Recession
4.Pause

The illustration above demonstrates electrical stimulation of a muscle. Begins with a lifting phase (1), during which the contraction gradually increases, reaching a maximum contraction in the stimulation phase (2). In the decline phase (3), stimulation gradually weakens and enters a rest phase, in which stimulation stops or is at a moderate level (active rest). Active leisure prevents muscle injury and prepares the muscle for the next contraction. Stimulation with regular pauses is called intermittent.

What sensations should stimulation cause?
The purpose of NMES is to induce muscle contractions. Increase the amplitude above the somatosensory barrier until you see a motor response. The patient often experiences an electrical contraction greater than a voluntary contraction. But contractions should not cause discomfort.

Testing the electrode installation position.
The motor point finding electrode and gel help determine the optimal location for electrode application. By sliding the movable electrode over the surface of the skin, you find the position with the maximum and most comfortable muscle contraction. Often the patient needs to get used to the stimulation, and the first sessions may not reach therapeutic intensity. During the course of treatment, the intensity of stimulation should gradually increase. At the first session, a short session may be conducted to determine the patient's response. Excessively strong muscle contractions caused by electrical stimulation can injure a muscle that is not prepared for the load. A gradual increase in load and regularity of exercises ensure a good treatment result.

To achieve good results, NMES can be combined with other types muscle training. Muscle stimulation can act both in the phase of concentric and eccentric movement, or only in one of them. It depends on how you combine stimulation with voluntary movements.

What should be the duration of treatment?
Depending on the condition of the muscles and the patient's rehabilitation phase, treatment can last from 5 to 60 minutes and be repeated from three times a week to twice a day. To intensify the treatment, you can gradually increase the duration of stimulation depending on the pause. You can also increase the amplitude, frequency and/or duration of the pulse.

Denervated muscles.
Stimulation of denervated muscles differs from stimulation of muscles with preserved innervation.
If the innervation of the muscle is preserved, you can stimulate through the motor nerve, but if the muscle is denervated, you must stimulate the muscle fibers directly to induce contraction. The goal of stimulating denervated muscles is to maintain their contractile units while awaiting possible reinnervation. To generate a contraction, the pulse duration is 100-300 ms. Rectangular pulses are used for completely denervated muscles, while triangular or trapezoidal pulses are used for partially denervated muscles. This helps to separate fibers with preserved innervation and denervated ones.

Switch.
To adjust the duration of the pause and stimulation periods, you can use the switch during electrical stimulation. The switch is especially practical when electrical muscle contractions are combined with voluntary contractions. The result is effective individual treatment.

Installation of electrodes.
Here are some examples of electrode placement for the most common indications. For NMES there is no difference in the position of the red and black electrodes.

Shoulder – subluxation and abnormal abduction

Indication:

1. Functional subluxation of the shoulder after stroke.

2. Reduced function of the shoulder muscles after a fracture, dislocation, etc.

Installation of electrodes: Place one electrode in the middle deltoid muscle, and the other on the supraspinatus muscle. The position of the electrodes and the type of stimulation may vary depending on the type of subluxation.

Shoulder area– dysfunction of the triceps

Indication:

1. Decreased triceps function, for example after stroke.

2. Fracture in the elbow joint.

Installation of electrodes: Place one pair of electrodes on the triceps.
Torso, lower back – training the spinal erector muscles

Indication: Pain/weakness in the lumbar region

Installation of electrodes: Install two pairs of electrodes in the lumbar region paravertebrally along the erector spinae muscles on both sides.
Torso – training the abdominal muscles

Indication: decreased function of the rectus abdominis muscles.

Installation of electrodes: Place two pairs of electrodes on the rectus abdominis muscles on both sides.
Forearm – impaired strength/hypotrophy of wrist extensors

Indication:

1. Impaired wrist extension and/or flexor spasticity after a stroke, etc.

2. Decreased function of the wrist extensors after a fracture, etc.

Installation of electrodes: Place a pair of electrodes over the wrist extensor muscles.
Knee joint - instability

Indications:
1. Postoperative period after plastic surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint.
2. Extensor contracture of the knee joint.

Electrode placement: Place one pair of electrodes over the quadriceps.
Knee joint – muscle imbalance

Indication: Muscle imbalance of the medial head relative to lateral head quadriceps.

Installation of electrodes: Place one pair of electrodes over the medial head.
Hip area – Positive Trendelenburg sign

Indication: 1. Positive Trendelenburg sign. 2. Decreased function of the hip abductor muscles after central disorders such as stroke.

Installation of electrodes: Place one pair of electrodes over the hip abductor and flexor muscles.
Lower leg area – dysfunction of the Achilles tendon

Indication: Dysfunction of the Achilles tendon.

Electrode placement: Place one pair of electrodes over the calf muscle.
Lower leg area – decreased strength of the foot flexors

Indication: Decreased dorsal flexion, spasticity.

Electrode placement: 1. One electrode over the exit of the peroneal nerve just below the head fibula, and the other on the anterior surface of the tibia. 2. Both electrodes on the anterior surface of the tibia.
Contraindications

1.Patients with a pacemaker, intracardiac defibrillator, or other active implants should not be treated with NMES methods.
2. Perform the exercise carefully in the first trimester of pregnancy.
3.In a pregnant woman, never connect a pair of electrodes across the abdominal cavity.
4.Do not stimulate near the carotid glomus, in the projection of the throat next to carotid artery, as this is dangerous due to a drop in pressure.
5.Do not perform stimulation during periods of acute inflammation and acute blood loss.
6.Use extreme caution when stimulating patients with lymphatic disease.
7. If there are contraindications to loading a tendon or muscle.

Go to CATALOG

EMS training (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) is the impact on muscles of a device or simulator that sends weak electrical signals through electrodes attached to the surface of the skin. In essence, the device for electrical muscle stimulation generates impulses similar to real muscle contractions during strength exercises.

Advertising of exercise machines and reviews of EMS training studios promises to create strong muscles and a fit athletic body in just 20 minutes of training three times a week, and home EMS abdominal belts “guarantee” sculpted abs without grueling crunches. You just need to put on this electric belt while watching TV, while no exercise is required.

Unfortunately, the evidence base for EMS training is highly controversial. Even if the myostimulation method can increase muscle tone, in most cases, training advertisements significantly overestimate the advantages (especially for weight loss and the fight against cellulite) - and never talk about the disadvantages, possible harm and contraindications. In turn, home EMS abdominal exercise machines are more likely just a toy.

Who invented EMS?

The history of muscle stimulants dates back to the 18th century, when researchers discovered that weak electric current can provoke contractions of a certain muscle in the human body. In the 1960s, Soviet scientists announced that they had developed innovative training mechanics for professional athletes that could increase their muscle strength by a significant 40% (1) .

Later it turned out that it was more about special restorative and rehabilitation therapy, and not at all about a technique for increasing strength and muscle mass at healthy athletes. Then, in the 1970s, Germany began to use electrical muscle stimulation in physical therapy and accelerated recovery of athletes. The first EMS training studios also appeared in Germany - Bodytec and Miha.

EMS trainer - customer reviews

As for reviews of the direct operation of such equipment and the sensations during EMS training, most people note noticeable effects. Pulse currents as if they are squeezing the body from all sides, forcing the muscles to contract. It is quite difficult to resist them, so even simple physical exercise become a test. During training, your heart rate increases and your breathing may become difficult.

Note that the cost of a professional EMS simulator can be hundreds of thousands of rubles - this pushes sellers to “black” Internet marketing techniques, which involve publishing fake reviews. In no other Fitseven material do we see such a high level of activity from “happy customers”, detailing how happy they are with their pumped-up muscles and slimmed-down body.

How EMS training works

Typically, one full workout in an EMS studio lasts about 20-30 minutes. The person puts on a special suit with electrodes, and the trainer regulates the power of electrical impulses for each part of the body, based on the sensations and endurance of the trainee. Then simple physical exercises are performed for various parts of the body - squats, bending and straightening the arms, swinging to the sides, and so on.

The final stage of the training is lymphatic drainage massage, during which you only need to lie down and enjoy the pleasant tingling sensations.

Trainings are held 2-3 times a week.

Real reviews about EMS

As a physiotherapist, I have repeatedly encountered complications from pulsed currents in women of all ages and young girls - life-threatening bleeding from the uterus (rupture of the corpus luteum) occurred. It has now been convincingly proven that, even in the absence of contraindications, ladies and girls should not undergo this kind of procedure.

After the 4th workout, fluid formed above the kneecap, and by the evening the knee was completely swollen. I went to the emergency room and the doctor said that due to the heavy load on the body, he generally forbade such training, everyone’s body is different and it is not known how it will react to such training.

Firstly, electrical stimulation on a constant basis is harmful to the heart; secondly, external stimulation is not a neural impulse, the muscle works without connection with the brain, where is the development of movement stereotypes?; thirdly, these studios hire just anyone to become trainers (look at the ads on headhunters); fourthly, this trend is for the lazy and those who supposedly don’t have time for full training and the desire to break with one’s own body.

EMS training- pros and cons

The first commercial EMS personal training devices appeared in the United States in the late 1990s. Manufacturers tried to give their products and the abdominal muscle stimulation method as much credibility as possible by organizing all sorts of scientific congresses and developing intricate certification methods for the equipment they themselves produced - but without real scientific support.

One attempt at such certification used the wording "weight loss and weight loss device" - but was categorically rejected by regulators as misleading. EMS was eventually certified as a treatment for muscle wasting and spasms in bedridden patients, but not as a technique for muscle growth or body contouring (2) .

EMS ab belt - does it work?

A separate area of ​​EMS technology is home exercise equipment and belts for creating relief press. Intrusive advertising and numerous reviews of “happy customers” promise fat burning, instant definition of cubes, getting rid of cellulite and others positive effects. All you have to do is buy this belt and watch TV in it - and your belly will go away on its own.

Unfortunately, most households EMS belts for the press are only a low-quality toy from a nameless manufacturer. Even with careful use, they fail literally within the second week. We also note that such a belt must be “glued” to the skin using replaceable gel pads or even paper tape - which means that the stomach will have to be shaved.

EMS: contraindications and harm

We also note that the EMS training method has a serious list of contraindications - from pregnancy to the presence of a number of chronic diseases - including any circulatory disorders, diseases gastrointestinal tract, kidney failure, cancer and so on. Among other things, there are risks if you have a common cold.

IN separate group Contraindications for electrical stimulation include people with pacemakers and other correction devices heart rate as well as persons who have suffered bone fractures, sprains or any damage to the skin in the recent past. However, when selling a subscription in EMS studio trainings often “forget” to warn about this.

Final opinion

Even though EMS training may be effective for bedridden and paralyzed patients, they are not able to influence muscle growth, weight loss and noticeable fat burning, or get rid of stretch marks, cellulite or any other improvement in body contours. In addition, the EMS method has a significant list of contraindications and is not recommended even for a serious cold.

Manufacturers of EMS simulators have been repeatedly fined for false advertising and misleading promises that the myostimulation technique can replace strength training and create “an iron press completely without effort and without a drop of sweat” (3). Moreover, most of the rave reviews on the Internet are most likely fakes, written at the request of the manufacturers.

***

EMS training increases muscle tone exclusively in untrained people and in paralyzed patients, without affecting either fat burning or getting rid of cellulite. It is also important that manufacturers of such equipment have been repeatedly fined for misleading advertising that EMS simulators able to “create muscle without effort.”

Scientific sources:

1. Russian electrical stimulation: the early experiments,
2. FDA: Import Alert 89-01,
3. FTC Charges Three Top-selling Electronic Abdominal Exercise Belts with Making False Claims,