One of the latest inventions of 2017 in the field of electrical myostimulation is EMS trainer, exercise machine for the abdominal muscles, thighs and arms. This is a relatively inexpensive exercise machine that is designed to stimulate muscles without resorting to physical activity or going to the gym. sports club. But is it worth it?
Why do you need an EMS simulator?
The EMS trainer stimulates muscles through electric current, which is a method of forced contraction. Electrical impulses cause muscles to work in a passive state, without stress and additional equipment. This method is intended for toning problem areas at home.
What does the manufacturer recommend to do and what results does the manufacturer promise?
The method of operation is very simple, the petals of the EMS myostimulator are attached to the problem area, for example, on the stomach. The wireless device is started with one button and produces electrical impulses that pass through the skin to the muscles. Such stimulation, in a way, is a substitute.
Within a week, the promised muscle strengthening (tone) will occur, and after 1-1.5 months of stimulation, the desired results will be achieved.
A little history of the invention
In the 50-60s, in the field of sports medicine of the Soviet Union, a technique was developed based on the use of electrical myostimulation of muscles in the training of athletes. The goal of the development is to increase strength by stimulating muscles with current. Later, in the 70s, this technique came to Western countries, where further study of the mechanisms of action of electromyostimulation on human muscles took place. Later, EMS found its application in rehabilitation centers, where atrophied muscles were stimulated for bedridden patients and their vitality and weight were maintained. In the nineties, this technique came out of the field of rehabilitation to the masses of healthy people, and became an object of income for companies producing exercise machines for stimulating muscles without leaving home.
Pros and cons
Here are the results that The manufacturer promises:
- muscle strengthening;
- muscle mass growth;
- fat burning;
- correction of problem areas and achieving the correct proportions;
- reduction of cellulite.
From the history of the appearance of this type of exercise equipment, it is clear that electrical stimulation helps maintain muscle tone, or overcome atrophy caused by the patient’s immobile lifestyle. Studies have confirmed the positive effect of electrical stimulation on muscles, increasing their strength, maintaining mass, and preventing further destruction of fibers.
But not a single experiment revealed an effect on combustion subcutaneous fat, therefore, a reduction in cellulite, but the effect on muscle growth was also not revealed. Therefore, most qualities were invented to attract more clients among men and women. From this it follows:
- for– tone, strengthen and increase muscle strength;
- against– a promise to burn fat and gain muscle mass.
Contraindications to the use of the EMS trainer myostimulator
The fact that the simulator works in a calm state of a person, without resorting to loads, does not mean that there are no contraindications for its use. The simulator is prohibited when:
- diseases and inflammatory processes of the abdominal organs;
- heart disease, including the presence of pacemakers;
- during pregnancy;
- for bone fractures and problems with the spine.
And also the use of the simulator forbidden for viral, oncological, skin diseases and mental disorders.
How to use the EMS ab exercise machine?
Before using the machine, you must cleanse your skin problem area, dry it from moisture, and even remove unwanted hair so that the exercise machine adheres well to the skin. The original EMS trainer comes with a special gel, which is applied to the petals of the trainer and ensures good current conductivity.
The simulator has 15 modes that can be easily selected according to the sensations, depending on the desired impact. To start stimulation, you only need to press one on/off button and select the intensity of the load. After 15 or 25 minutes training, the simulator must be turned off. It must be rinsed under running water, removing any remaining gel, and dried. And the skin should be cleaned and treated with an antiseptic.
Even the manufacturers recommend combining EMS training with physical activity, complementing, and even additional crunches for the press. In any case, without dynamic movements you cannot achieve a visible effect. Myostimulation can complement strength training, preparation for competitions to avoid excessive muscle fatigue under constant loads. Thus, EMS can be performed on rest days as relaxation and unloading.
Conclusion
On forums and even thematic sites you can find many positive feedback, including those praising the effect of EMS on weight growth, fat burning, etc. These are all paid reviews, written specifically to advertise the product and increase sales.
Not a single experienced athlete will confirm such a magical spectrum of action of a myostimulator, knowing that fat burning is facilitated by an increase in heart rate - the work of the heart, and the duration of the load, which is far from twenty minutes.
We can say that stimulation is suitable for unprepared people who need to recover from illness, or during hospitalization (taking into account contraindications). But we cannot talk about a complete replacement of physical activity (voluntary reduction). Think carefully about the feasibility of the purchase, know that by playing sports you can achieve best results.
Video: description of the EMS trainer using the example of Amplitrain
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.
A pulse or a train of short pulses - 100-500 μs (microseconds), followed rarely - 1-400 times per second leads to a short-term displacement of ions near the nerve endings - myoneurones, and this leads to contraction 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. In a decrepit body, not all muscle fibers contract. Not every myoneuron associated with a muscle fiber conducts an impulse from the central nervous system. There are many reasons for this.
And here 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 significantly responds to myostimulation by 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 supplying 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 of the body. A suitable gel is sold in a network of medical equipment stores, for example, for ultrasound.
Take a more viscous one.
Expand discussion thread
Electrical muscle stimulation is often used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. The procedure has two purposes. First of all, the effect is aimed at eliminating pain. At the same time, restoration is carried out muscle activity. Next, we will consider this procedure in more detail. The article will also describe some devices for electrical muscle stimulation.
General information
Electrical muscle stimulation is performed using special equipment. It is equipped with electrodes that are connected using wires. A device for electrical muscle stimulation sends current to the elements. Through electrodes, impulses are distributed into muscle tissue. As a result, a motor or sensory reaction appears.
Electrode placement methods
They are placed on the surface of the skin, over specific muscles. There are two options for placing elements. The first is to place one electrode on a healthy area, and the second on the affected one. In the second case, the elements are placed on both sides of the problem area. The negative polarity that surrounds the damaged area promotes healing. It stimulates tissue formation, thus accelerating recovery processes.
Indications and contraindications
Electrical stimulation is recommended for the prevention of muscle atrophy, stimulation of the muscles of the thighs, large fibers of the anterior wall of the peritoneum with cellulite. Procedures are used to reduce overweight and figure correction. Electrical stimulation is recommended for deterioration of blood circulation (peripheral venous and arterial), decreased tone, and lymphatic drainage. The procedure is not prescribed if you are pregnant or have an intrauterine pacemaker. Electrical stimulation is contraindicated in cases of nervousness or after surgery.
Relieving pain
There are two opinions about how electrical muscle stimulation relieves pain. According to the gate theory, the first hypothesis, signals from the affected area are sent to the brain through nerves. However, most of the impulses go through the "gate". Signals during electrical stimulation also pass through them. As a result, the nerves transmitting the pain impulse are blocked. According to another theory, electrical stimulation of muscles causes the brain to produce natural painkillers - enkephalins and endorphins. It has been established that after low-frequency exposure the content of these compounds increases.
Impact on atrophy
The decrease can accompany a variety of pathologies. Electrical muscle stimulation is often used to slow or prevent this process. The impulses sent by the device for electrical muscle stimulation help maintain the activity of weakened muscles.
Therapy for osteoarthritis
This pathology is caused by the degradation of articular tissues. Studies have found that electrical stimulation is very effective technique in the treatment of patients suffering from osteoarthritis in this area of the lower limb, as well as after surgery and joint replacement. Pulse action can help strengthen the knee extensors, which provides better mobility of the segment.
Prevention of bedsores
This problem is considered quite common for bedridden patients confined to bed. Staying in this position for a long time puts strong and constant pressure on certain areas of the body. Electrical stimulation of the buttocks helps prevent deformities and bedsores.
Tissue repair
Electrical muscle stimulation is actively used on fibers that do not contract sufficiently. This kind of effect is shown when various states, however, it is most often prescribed to patients who have had a stroke or orthopedic surgery. Often such patients experience serious difficulties when trying to make movements. When the electrodes are placed correctly, the electrical signal from the device is sent to the muscles and the fibers can begin to contract without the patient's intervention. During this artificially induced reaction, the patient also tries to contract the muscles. As a result, the procedures help the brain again “learn” to coordinate muscle activity on its own.
Electrical muscle stimulation: expert reviews
Despite the fact that various activities are periodically carried out to study the effects of electric shock, its effectiveness remains in question. In some studies, the procedure produces almost no results at all. Often, electrical stimulation of muscles acts as alternative method due to insufficient evidence of its benefits. However, there are experts who indicate the effectiveness of the procedures. Thus, in one study conducted in 2014, which involved patients with severe and moderate muscle pain, it was found that exposure to electric shock contributed to a significant decrease in the intensity of sensations. It should be noted that research into the effectiveness of the procedures is still ongoing.
Electrical muscle stimulation for children
In pediatrics, electric shock is often used. A procedure such as electrical muscle stimulation is not contraindicated for children, but has its own characteristics. First of all, you should be careful not to exceed the duration of exposure. Electrical stimulation of the lower leg muscles is prescribed for children with reduced tone. Due to the pulse effect, blood circulation is stimulated and muscle activity is restored. Electrical stimulation of the lower leg muscles is recommended for children with flat feet.
Benefits of exposure
Electrical muscle stimulation, reviews from many patients confirm this, is very effective in many cases. The undoubted advantage of the procedure is pain relief. As patients note, relief comes quickly enough and lasts for a long period. Electrical exposure does not cause addiction. Electrical stimulation can be carried out not only in special rooms, but also at home. Many patients have different devices at their disposal. According to them, using the equipment is quite simple: it is compact and does not require special skills. For many, these devices completely replace drug therapy.
Disadvantages of the procedure
The main disadvantage of the procedure is that it does not eliminate the cause of the pathology. The impact only irritates the muscles, causing them to contract. However, muscle function may not be restored if the neurological damage is severe. Advertising for electrical stimulation devices claims that some of them help. However, there is no clinical evidence of this.
Exposure using professional equipment
Various devices are used to carry out the procedures. One of them is ESMA physiotherapeutic equipment. In the process of exposure, not only irritation of the fibers occurs, but also the nerve innervating them with the help of pulse current. As a result, a change in bioelectrical activity is observed, spike responses are formed, and intense contraction occurs. During the procedure, the following types of current are used:
- High frequency.
- Pulse.
- Mid-frequency.
- Constant.
- Low frequency.
Mechanism of action
Electrical muscle stimulation is often compared to “gymnastics for the lazy” - the patient does nothing, but his muscles are active. However, experts are in no hurry to draw a direct analogy, since contractions under the influence of current and natural movement are very different. At the same time, one does not replace or cancel the other at all. During normal physical activity, regardless of its nature - housework, special exercises, walks, etc. - purposeful work is not carried out by all muscles. Against the background of current exposure, all excited structures are involved. These include smooth and striated fibers. Nerve endings send a signal “up” - to the centers of the brain, and “down” - to organs and systems. At the same time, the walls of large vessels begin to react, and reserve capillary channels open. Due to such massive impact, even the most weakened muscles are prepared for work. However, one should not limit oneself to the use of external influence. To successfully achieve your goal, you need to force your muscles to act.
Equipment types
Electrodes are placed on certain motor points of the hips, back, chest, abdomen, lower limbs. Depending on which model of myostimulator is used, a special conductive gel may be applied to the skin. Usually 15-20 procedures are prescribed per course. The frequency of electrical stimulation is 2-3 times a week. The impact allows you to activate fibers located quite deep, which in normal cases can be difficult to get close to. Electrical stimulation of the lower leg muscles is very effective. As a rule, the effect is aimed at a separate muscle group. In this case, electrical stimulation is performed in a certain sequence. Actually, this determines the positive effect of the procedure. As mentioned above, the equipment is equipped with electrodes. They, in turn, are equipped with devices with the help of which they are attached to the body. The device also has a main unit. It generates a current of a certain strength and frequency. Each muscle group has its own mode of exposure. Often, in addition to the equipment, a special gel or cream is supplied that improves the conductivity of impulses.
Exposure at home
Today, portable devices are quite popular. Some of them are battery operated. However, such devices are only capable of maintaining the state. With reduced tone, for example, there is not much benefit from them, since their power is not enough for a full impact. For example, electrical stimulation of the lower leg muscles with a portable device will relieve fatigue after a working day. However, it will not help correct the condition of the muscles. Among the most common devices, OMRON E4, Enistim-1, ESMA 12.20 COMBI and ESMA 12.48 FAVORITE should be noted.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system occur in people of all ages. Quite often there are muscle dysfunctions associated with neurological and other diseases. In the treatment of such pathologies, physiotherapeutic procedures are of great importance, the effects of which increase muscle tone and improve condition muscle tissue. Electrical stimulation of the muscles of the back, legs, and other parts of the body helps to cope with hypotension and restores their functionality, which returns the patient’s quality of life to the previous level and improves the long-term results of the therapy.
About the method
The use of electrical muscle stimulation in neurology is based on the ability of an electric current to pass through muscle fibers, causing a physiological response in them in the form of contractile activity or relaxation. This is especially important when the own nerve impulses from the central nervous system cannot reach the muscles for some reason. The electrical stimulation method protects muscle tissue from atrophy, improves its nutrition and metabolism due to the constant stimulating effect of electric current. There is scientific evidence that when muscles are damaged, their regeneration increases with external stimulation.
A large number of clinical studies in neurology show another important mechanism of this physiotherapy. Against the background of a stroke and other organic lesions of the brain, dysfunction of muscles in the form of paresis and paralysis is observed. Performing myostimulation in this case not only improves the functioning of muscle fibers, but also has a positive effect on nerve structures, increasing the level of their regeneration and plasticity, allowing for faster recovery motor activity affected limb.
Electric current has a complex effect on muscle tissue: improves microcirculation, accelerates metabolic processes, maintains muscle tone and its regenerative capabilities.
Physiotherapists also note local positive effects of using electrical stimulation both at home and on an outpatient basis. The action of electric current leads to improved microcirculation, saturation of muscle tissue with oxygen and nutrients, which is associated with the galvanization effect. The electric field improves the outflow of blood and lymph from organs by improving the tone of the walls of blood and lymph vessels.
Large quantity positive effects from electrical muscle stimulation determines the widespread use of the technique in adults and children of various ages. It is important to note that if myostimulation is performed on children, it should only be performed in a medical facility.
Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure
Electrical stimulation of the thigh, lower leg and other parts of the body is widely used in medicine. However, it should be understood that the method has its advantages and disadvantages, which determine the possibility of performing myostimulation. The main advantages of the procedure are as follows:
- pronounced effect of restoring the contractility of muscle fibers;
- most patients experience a decrease in pain associated with damage to nerve trunks, spine, etc.;
- devices for myostimulation are quite cheap, which determines the low cost of the procedure itself;
- After consultation with the attending physician, electrical stimulation can be carried out at home after purchasing the necessary device.
Despite the pronounced advantages, physiotherapists note a number of disadvantages that do not allow the use of electrical stimulation as the only method of therapy:
- severe neurological disorders are difficult to correct using physiotherapeutic procedures or are not treated at all;
- Electrical exposure does not affect the primary disease, but only reduces the severity of its consequences.
In this regard, electrical muscle stimulation is used as part of complex treatment together with medications and other types of physical therapy.
Indications and contraindications
The positive effect of electrical stimulation on neuromuscular impulse transmission and the condition of muscle fibers provides a wide range of indications for this procedure:
- disturbances in muscle motor activity due to neuritis, plexitis and radiculitis;
- paralysis or paresis as a result of damage to the central nervous system: strokes, injuries, etc.;
- hypotension or muscle atrophy after a long period of inactivity, for example, due to a fracture of bone formations;
- atonic states of muscle tissue during internal organs(small and large intestines, gall bladder) as a result of diseases or surgical interventions;
- dysfunction of the intestinal sphincters;
- inflammatory processes in the nerves of the face, lower back, etc.;
- disturbances of vascular tone;
- the need to lose weight in case of obesity, since electrical stimulation leads to a decrease in fat content in tissues;
- long period of rehabilitation for people professionally involved in sports.
It is important to note that, depending on the available indications, each patient is selected an individual treatment regimen, which may differ in the duration of exposure, location of electrodes, and the total number of physical treatment sessions.
The use of electrical stimulation of muscle tissue is indicated for large quantities diseases ranging from paresis due to neuritis or stroke, and ending with intestinal hypotension due to pathology of internal organs.
There are conditions when electrical stimulation is contraindicated:
- growth of malignant neoplasms;
- history of epileptic seizures;
- presence of a pacemaker or other implanted devices;
- severe types of arrhythmia.
If these conditions are present, you should stop using electrical muscle stimulation and choose other treatment methods. However, for some diseases, the procedure can simply be postponed until recovery. Such diseases include:
- acute or exacerbation of a chronic infectious disease;
- decompensated state of internal organs;
- thrombophlebitis in the acute phase;
- pregnancy;
- fractures of bones before their complete fusion;
- performing surgical operations on muscles, nerves and blood vessels in the last 3-4 weeks.
Only the attending physician should determine whether a patient has indications and contraindications based on his examination and subsequent laboratory or instrumental examinations.
Preparation for the procedure
The safety and effectiveness of electrical stimulation is possible in cases where the patient has undergone preliminary training. Typically, it includes the following steps:
- The doctor carefully examines all the patient’s complaints, prescribes and analyzes the results of additional instrumental and laboratory examination methods. This allows you to make an accurate diagnosis, as well as identify possible contraindications, for example, the presence of acute inflammatory processes in the body.
- Electrodiagnostics are carried out aimed at determining the thresholds of excitability of muscle and nervous tissue, which makes it possible to select the optimal current strength and its type for the patient.
- The attending physician talks with the patient or the child’s parents, explaining to them the essence of the upcoming treatment, as well as the need to complete the entire course of electrical stimulation to obtain the best results.
Carrying out electrical stimulation
Before using the electrical stimulation method on a child or adult, the doctor should select the required mode of exposure (direct or alternating current). The threshold levels of excitability of nerve and muscle formations are also determined, which is necessary to select the current strength used. A similar procedure is carried out using electrodiagnostics, which is carried out by the same device as the stimulation itself.
Depending on the severity of changes in muscle tissue and the underlying disease, the physiotherapist selects the type of device used. In case of severe hypotension or atony, it is recommended to use devices such as “ASM”, “Neuron-1”, which allow creating a strong electric current with high amplitude and frequency. These devices have large sizes and are used on an outpatient basis. There are also compact devices, for example “Omron”, “Nevoton”, which are mainly used at home by patients themselves.
The algorithm for electrical muscle stimulation is quite simple and is carried out as follows:
- The doctor or the patient himself selects the necessary electrodes for stimulation. They can be disposable or reusable. There are different shapes: square, round, with curves, which is determined by the location of the damaged muscles. For example, large square electrodes are used to influence the quadriceps muscle for paresis and paralysis of the legs, since this muscle has very large dimensions. If the procedure is necessary for infants, special children's electrodes are used.
- After selecting the electrodes, they must be positioned correctly. As a rule, target muscle should be located between them, that is, the electrodes should be placed along the two poles of a particular muscle.
- When stimulating the organs of the abdomen and abdominal cavity, back with scoliosis or osteochondrosis, electrodes are installed on the lower back and in the umbilical area.
- After fixing the electrodes on the surface of the body, the device turns on and the minimum current values are set. As a rule, the stimulation time for one point should not exceed five minutes, and the entire procedure, in general, should take half an hour. The total number of sessions during a course of treatment is 15-20, which is determined by the severity of the existing movement disorders and the nature of the underlying disease. If necessary, the electrical stimulation method can be repeated after a 1.5-2 week rest.
Simple technique for performing the procedure and high level safety for the patient allows you to use electrical muscle stimulation at home. However, before carrying out such treatment, you should consult with your doctor, who will determine the available indications and contraindications, and also select the necessary stimulation parameters: type and strength of current, session time and total number of procedures.
Use in children
Electrical stimulation of muscle tissue is widely used in children of all ages. It is important to note that a similar procedure for children younger age, for example, for infants, it is recommended to be carried out only on an outpatient basis to prevent the development of negative consequences.
Electrical stimulation is used to treat childhood cerebral palsy, flat feet, joint dysplasia (for example, hip), scoliosis, hypotonia of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, intestinal atony, etc. Pediatricians identify a wide range of indications for which the effectiveness of the use of electric currents has been proven.
Carrying out electrical stimulation in children does not differ significantly from using the procedure in adults. The only restrictions relate to the current strength - it should be two to three times less than that of adults. Also, doctors recommend reducing the time of a physiotherapy session to 10-15 minutes to ensure a “soft” effect on the nervous and muscular system child. Separately, it is worth mentioning that you should not use electrodes intended for adult patients, as they are poorly suited for a child and do not provide good contact with the skin, which negatively affects the effectiveness of electrical stimulation.
Possible complications in children and adults
Electrical muscle stimulation is safe for patients, however, in some cases, undesirable consequences of physical treatment may occur:
- unpleasant sensations in the form of tingling and burning, as well as redness of the skin at the sites where the electrode is applied are most common in patients and are associated with the very physiological effect of the electric current on biological tissues; no serious health consequences arise;
- burns of varying degrees in the area where electrodes are applied, as well as electrical trauma;
- the occurrence or intensification of existing pain;
- muscle hypertonicity, which is associated with overexcitation of nerve and muscle formations.
The last three complications are extremely rare and only in cases where the procedure was performed incorrectly. This is most often observed when trying to self-medicate at home or using faulty devices for electrical muscle stimulation.
Correct use of the technique in accordance with the doctor’s instructions and the instructions for use of the device allows you to avoid the development of complications and increase the effectiveness of electrical stimulation.
Electrical muscle stimulation is an important physiotherapeutic procedure widely used to treat paralysis, paresis and other diseases of skeletal muscles, as well as hypotonicity of smooth muscle tissue in internal organs. Impact electric shock allows you to improve the condition of muscles, their nutrition and neuromuscular transmission, which helps eliminate hypo- and atony. The physiotherapeutic procedure has a number of limitations, and therefore should be used only after consultation with the attending physician, who will carefully examine the patient and determine his indications and contraindications for electrical stimulation. In no case should you self-medicate, as this is fraught with the development side effects or progression of the underlying disease.
Hello my friends! Today's article will focus on electrical muscle stimulation as part of the rehabilitation process. Let's figure out what it is body myostimulation (electrical stimulation) and I will give you advice and recommendations from my personal experience. It will be funny and, I hope, useful.
Let's start with the fact that after surgery on a joint or injury, the leg muscles immediately lose their volume and tone. When we receive an injury, we naturally begin to spare the injured limb and begin to use it less.
After the operation and, accordingly, other injuries, we cannot stand on our leg for some time and we do not put enough weight on it. In addition, muscles and nerve endings are injured during the operation. Muscle hypotrophy occurs with a redistribution of their tone. Even at an unconscious level, a redistribution of the load occurs. Therefore, even after recovery, we walk, putting a little less load on the injured leg. An experienced rehabilitation doctor notices this immediately. Well, or he pretends to see everything, who knows.
How it happens. As the disease progresses and insufficient load due to injury may appear .
Contractures- restrictions of movement in which the limb cannot be fully bent or straightened.
Improper load on the joint entails a change in the position of the pelvis and spine, and compensatory scoliosis(). These changes disrupt the biomechanics of walking, increase the load on the spine, causing secondary pathological changes in it. Redistribution muscle tone leads to the formation and consolidation of a pathological abnormal motor stereotype. Like waves from a stone thrown into water, one disturbance in the body entails other disturbances. One disease leads to changes not only in the organ that is disturbing, but also in nearby organs and tissues.
In any case, after surgery on the joint, rehabilitation is prescribed. Already a day after the operation, it is advisable to move and move the leg, bend, as far as possible, at the ankle and knee joint. After you are able to walk, you need to visit a rehabilitation doctor at least a couple of times, who will prescribe a set of exercises that are suitable specifically for your case, taking into account the injury, the method of surgery performed, etc.
Rehabilitation— a set of medical, pedagogical, psychological, professional measures aimed at restoring health and returning patients to full professional activity after suffering serious illnesses and injuries.
More often it happens like this: Your operating surgeon gives the coordinates of the rehabilitation specialist with whom he works and says that you need to go to him, since only he knows the methods of performing a specific operation. You go and pay the money. The rehabilitologist develops a program just for you and schedules an appointment in a month. Then again money, a new program, slightly expanded, and again in a circle. Where will you go? This is probably the right approach, and any work costs money. It’s just that in my case the rehabilitator was constantly pulling my leg, checking something, but didn’t even notice that the ligament was no longer there (). Naturally, I lost faith in all this.
Of course, do not under any circumstances think that rehabilitation is not needed. It's a must! Only with physical, correct stress can you return the damaged limb to its original state. Therefore, it is necessary to visit a rehabilitation specialist once or twice after surgery.
As you understand, my rehabilitation process lasted for several years, each time starting anew and still continuing. But let's not talk about sad things. I want to talk about something else.
We have figured out what rehabilitation is, let’s move on, so to speak, along the waves of history.
After my last operation, the surgeon did not talk about where to go for rehabilitation. He just sent me a general rehabilitation program and a video by email.
Devices for body myostimulation
But in this video I was not interested in the exercises, but in the casually mentioned electrical stimulation or myostimulation muscles and various parts of the body. Such hidden advertising. Why hidden though? Explicit. But there is nothing like that. The main thing is that it helps. At 3.46 minutes they talk about the device.
Myostimulation of the body and muscles during rehabilitation after knee surgery is not so important. Based on my experience, doctors don’t even talk about it. But myostimulation is part of it.
I often remember Igor Akinfeev in my articles - I feel a kindred spirit in him. If you know, he has already had two operations to restore the anterior cruciate ligament. True, his operations were performed for different reasons than mine. What I mean is that in his case, naturally, doctors are monitoring him; his recovery program has everything: exercises, modern simulators, massage therapists and myostimulation, among others.
Of course, this cannot but interest you. You lie there, do nothing, and the muscles work themselves, twitch and recover - a fairy tale. Laziness is immortal. After all, how annoying it is (I know from myself) to do it every day, several times various exercises. Well, I got distracted.
The video is an advertisement for a specific portable electrical stimulator. It is probably good, high quality, strong and effective. But the price of this device!!! I think you can easily find information on it. And if money is not a problem and you can buy it and try it, then share your feelings with all of us. I won't be the only one grateful.
But the desire to try something like this was strong. I started looking for information on electrical stimulation and myostimulation on the Internet and did not find anything that would be useful to me. General articles with a medical bias and advertising articles for medical and cosmetic centers with myostimulation services for weight loss and muscle tone. I had to collect information bit by bit. Not to mention the fact that when you type “electrical stimulation” into a search engine, you end up on sites with a specific focus, which will not be said in front of children.
I will not overload you with scientific knowledge and works with evidence of the benefits and effects of electrical stimulation on various muscles, tissues, neurons, etc. But I will give some basic information.
Electrical muscle stimulation– strengthening the activity of body systems and organs through irritation with electric current. Electrical muscle stimulation is used as a method of applying electric current to cause muscle contraction.
Electrical muscle stimulation improves blood circulation in the muscles, stimulates and activates plastic processes in the muscles, and enhances metabolic and trophic processes in the muscles. When muscles atrophy, they increase fiber mass and strength. Current pulses cause muscle contraction, which increases the activity of regulatory systems and increases the activity of cells in the cerebral cortex.
Various studies have noted that the electrical impulses muscle contractions and subsequent relaxations increase blood and lymph circulation in them, promote the delivery of nutrients to the muscle, ensure the release of under-oxidized products, and promote the accumulation of calcium, sodium and iron ions in the muscle.
For this procedure, pulses of various durations are used, ranging from 0.5 ms to 300 ms with a current strength that reaches up to 50 mA, which alternates with pauses. The current pulse, when passing through tissue, excites cells and stimulates motor activity in the muscles; during stops (pauses), muscles relax and rest. There is no irritating effect on the skin under the electrodes; even with prolonged myostimulation, tissue damage does not occur. In other words, myostimulation does not cause discomfort in the field of application.
It was not possible for me to buy the device described and shown above, so I went a different route. I wonder what I did? Then read on.
Body myostimulation devices on Aliexpress
I went to the Chinese site Aliexpress and discovered that you can buy a pocket-sized portable device for myostimulation of all parts of the body from the Chinese very cheaply. I decided that trying out what electrical stimulation is is enough. And I ordered this miracle device for myself. Here link to the seller's store. You can buy something cooler and more powerful there, but don’t get carried away. Remember that this is not the most important thing in the process of rehabilitation, recovery and muscle training. Alas, alas.
As you can see, the entire structure consists of the device itself, powered by batteries, from USB or from the network (the seller must indicate the adapter you require), wires (each divided into two and two more) and sticky pads that are connected to the electrode and are applied to the body. Reasoning logically, I immediately ordered 100 pieces of spare adhesive pads from the same seller. I was right, after a while the sticky surface gets dirty, the pads don't stick well and this leads to pain. So a small amount was added to the cost of the device for spare pads.
What can I say? Oddly enough, this device works quite well. It has 15 intensity levels and 8 stimulation modes. The modes differ in their effects (acupuncture, shiatsu massage, cupping massage, etc.). Of course, this is a cheap Chinese device. After some time, the socket where the electrical wire is inserted became loose and the device stopped turning on. I had to open it, arm myself with a soldering iron and slightly solder the place on the board that began to come off. It still works. Everything is fine.
I would also like to say that I have seen several videos on Youtube where people share their impressions of this device. Everyone likes it. So if you want to try it, buy it, you won’t regret it.
For some, the shock is quite noticeable at power level 3. I have already reached the last 15 and nothing is tolerable. Here we need to take into account the sensitivity threshold - it is different for everyone. Well, muscle tone. As you can imagine, it is lower on my operated leg.
The biggest problem when using the device is the installation of electrodes. Where to glue the sticky pads? If you glue it in the wrong place, there will be no muscle reaction.
Muscle motor points (myostimulation points)
In order for muscles to contract under the influence of current, two electrodes must be installed on the so-called. One (+) at the conditional beginning of the muscle and the other (-) at its end. I’m showing it on my good leg. Firstly, so as not to scare you with your postoperative scars and, secondly, on a healthy leg, even with a sharp decrease in loads and a decrease in muscle volume, the main bundles are visible.
Each wire coming from the device is divided into two, each of them is also divided into two (one +, the other -). Naturally, this is not indicated anywhere, but it’s easy to figure out. One pad is glued to one motor point, the other to the opposite one.
Motor points of muscles represent areas where the motor nerve penetrates the muscle sheath (the most excitable place). To determine the location of motor points, use the “Erb table”.
These points may vary for each individual person, but you can guess the approximate location. As you can see, the beginning and end of the muscle are clearly visible on the leg, and the required points are there.
Motor points of the anterior (I) and posterior (II) surface of the leg: I - anterior surface: 1 - sartorius muscle; 2 - muscle that strains the lata fascia of the thigh; 3 - quadriceps femoris muscle; 4 - external vastus muscle hips; 5 - peroneal nerve; 6 - long peroneal muscle; 7 - tibialis anterior muscle; 8 - common extensor of the fingers; 9 - short peroneus muscle; 10 - extensor thumb; 11 - femoral nerve; 12 - iliopsoas muscle; 13 - pectineus muscle; 14 - long adductor muscle; 15 - adductor magnus; 16 - vastus internal muscle. II - back surface: 1 - large gluteal muscle; 2 - long adductor muscle; 3 - adductor magnus; 4 - semitendinosus muscle; 5 - semimembranosus muscle; 6 - sartorius muscle; 7 — calf muscle(inner head); 8 - soleus muscle; 9 - common flexor of the fingers; 10 - tibialis posterior muscle; 11 - gluteus minimus; 12 — sciatic nerve; 13 - vastus externus; 14 - biceps femoris muscle; 15 - tibial nerve; 16 - calf muscle; 17 - soleus muscle; 18 - long peroneal muscle; 19 - short peroneus muscle; 20 - flexor pollicis; 21 - muscle that abducts the fifth finger.
Or you can simply indicate the points we need like this:
That's all. The device can be set for 5, 10 and 15 minutes.
The electrodes cannot be peeled off while the device is operating. He'll probably give you an unpleasant electric shock. I haven't tried it. Turn it off, change position and turn it on again.
You should start the procedure with the lowest current strength (minimum intensity) and gradually increase the intensity of the impact, without causing pain or discomfort. Doesn't give an electric shock either. When the electrodes are installed correctly, you can feel independent muscle tension. The muscles must get used to the effects of the current: if you immediately give the maximum load, the muscles will overstrain, and there will be a negative result. Muscle habituation without pain and discomfort develops gradually. Even if you can, don't increase the power too much. Do everything gradually.
As the muscles get used to the load, you can increase the current strength and change the pulse mode.
The procedure should not be carried out for a long time or a lot. A couple of times a day for 15 minutes is enough.
The pads should fit well to the skin. When they become dirty and do not stick well, you can feel a very painful burning sensation.
It is impossible to simultaneously stimulate antagonist muscles (for example, flexors and extensions of the joint, external and internal muscles thighs, abdominal muscles and buttocks).
Antagonist muscles represent muscle groups or muscles that perform opposite anatomical functions, creating opposite effects in relation to each other, that is, in other words, these are the flexor and extensor muscles of the joints.
The muscles, when the electrodes are installed correctly, contract quite well. Sometimes there may even be pain during intense contraction.
Over time, the electrodes become dirty and need to be replaced, but they last a long time. Wiping with water, alcohol, etc. doesn't help. I tried it.
Conclusion and conclusions
That's all, actually.
Of course, this device, like any other, is not an alternative to physical activity. Only competent rehabilitation, real physical exercise And correct loads on the muscles will bring them to their original state. This is more of an interesting addition that you can try when you come home from the gym after intense exercise and sit down to relax on the couch.
Also, myostimulation, by contracting muscles, increases the flow of blood and nutrients to a given area, promotes faster healing and restoration of damaged muscle tissue and nerve endings.
You can also buy something cooler and more impressive, and for myostimulation of all parts of the body. This device will allow you to try electrical stimulation on different parts of the body. What can I say, trying this in a medical center will cost much more. You can buy Here .
But if you are seriously interested in the issue of muscle myostimulation, then you need to consult a rehabilitation doctor. There are cases when electrical stimulation is the only means of restoring motor activity and is prescribed by a doctor. To achieve truly tangible results and impact, it is necessary that a specialist select the current strength, correctly install the electrodes, and monitor the condition of the muscles. Myostimulation refers to and to achieve results it is necessary to carry it out using special powerful devices under the supervision of a doctor.
In short, myostimulation is a good complement to the usual physical activity, but only complements. And here the same thing cannot be done without difficulty. Nothing is being done on its own, unfortunately.
Until a person was able to invent such a device or tablet that would work, but we did nothing. On the other hand, is this necessary? Sitting on the couch in front of the TV is not the best way to spend time.
Have you tried something similar or perhaps undergone similar procedures?
Write, comment. It will be interesting for all of us.
All the best, don't get sick!
