Pumping muscles with electrical impulses. Myostimulation of the body: what is it, effectiveness and contraindications

Very vulgar about muscle stimulators.

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

2. For the first time, they thought about it and developed the topic, back in the USSR, military doctors. Shortly after the war.
They worked for the wounded who lay in their beds for a long time. Later - for submariners, astronauts - all those who move little and lose muscle tone. Even later for athletes to international sports olympiads where achievement matters.

3. With perestroika, all developments went to the west and southeast, where they received a second birth 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 myostimulators as consumer goods.

4. The idea of ​​electrical stimulation of muscles with short pulses proved to be fruitful.
An impulse or a burst of short impulses - 100-500 µs (microseconds), the following rarely - 1-400 times per second lead to a short-term displacement of ions near the nerve endings - myoneurons, and this leads to a contraction muscle fibers.

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

5a. It is useful to remind everyone who taught and forgot long ago what an electric field is. This is not a field where cows graze. This is the space in which charged particles begin to move.
All substances in nature are divided on this basis into conductors - they contain charged particles and dielectrics - substances in which there are practically no charges.
In email the field of nothing inside the dielectrics practically does not move.

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

MYONEURON - a nerve cell attached to a muscle fiber. She, as if, 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. That's the way it is - charges interact with charges. Those charged with the same name repel each other, those with opposite charges 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 are reduced. 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 myoneurons that find themselves in the electric field will literally pull their muscle fibers. The entire muscle will begin to contract, blood flow also changes, fat and protein deposits are crowded from the moving muscles.
The general feeling is ease in controlling the body as after a workout and there is no fatigue - lactic acid poisoning.

7. Muscle contractions occur with little or 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 and quickly. Running 20 km in 20 minutes.

It is clear that this can be used to train athletes, which is done with the "training program" kept in great secrecy before important competitions.

8. Muscle mass noticeably 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 is 1-2 days. To fix it, you either need to move more yourself or regularly connect yourself to the muscle stimulator. For obese people overweight over 10 kg - change the diet and do not wait for weight loss faster than 4 weeks. The fat comes back quickly.

9. There are contraindications, but they are few.
Side effects from prolonged (years) myostimulation are not detected.
Everything, of course, should be taken in moderation, and not up to burns at the points of contact with the electrodes.
General recommendations - three days a week for 20 minutes at the level of a comfortable muscle shudder - is enough.

10. For the elderly, it is important that the muscles of the spine and skeleton can be developed. Get rid of pain in the joints. myostimulation naturally eliminates pain from a vertebral hernia, and infringement of nerve fibers almost everywhere where applicators are placed that supply impulse currents. 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 rules itself, bringing the necessary components to the diseased sore spots.

12. A few words about prices.
Actually the price prompted me to do a search for information.
For 25 years I have been suffering from the character of my wife. Her ailments, stomach, head - we share it all together.
It 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, but here are such numbers.

It turned out that there really are inexpensive muscle stimulators from 450 rubles - toys. Make cubes on the 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 whole 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 is worth recalling that there are about 200 muscles on the face. People do not have such a simple interface for communicating with each other through facial expressions. It is important to tighten these muscles, they also grow weak, and the skin - in two faces.
Drive away fat from the face, strengthen muscles, smooth wrinkles. Apply ultrasound with skin-nourishing creams to prolong effects. It is clear that these models will exploit women's beauty needs and will be much more expensive.

Search keywords - where, what and from whom to buy on the Internet - are on the site www.allmio.ru

The EM41 model (Germans) turned out to be quite good. Runs on 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. Soothe your tired legs and fall asleep - you won't remember when - the device turns off automatically.

A significant drawback - Velcro electrodes - quickly age. You need to have spares.
Or make your own out of 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 be smeared in gel, but the electrodes will be long-lived. 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 stimulation (physiostimulation, electrical myostimulation, myostimulation, myolifting) is a physiotherapeutic method related to restorative treatment, which is based on electrical stimulation muscle and nervous tissue. It is carried out by transferring current with certain characteristics from the myostimulator to a certain area of ​​the body through the electrodes.

The technique of electrical stimulation is widely used for the recovery of patients after injuries, with pathologies of the nervous system (peripheral and central), muscle hypotonia, in cosmetology and professional sports.

Under myostimulation means the use of stationary, fixed electrodes and current, the intensity of which allows you to get visible contractions of muscle tissue. Myolifting involves the impact on the skin of movable electrodes, which do not lead to visible contractions of muscle fibers, but are felt as the passage of current.

Mechanism of action

Action impulse current mainly aimed at the tone and speed of response of muscle tissue.

When an electric current is applied to muscles or nerves, their bioactivity changes and spike responses form. So, electrical stimulation with a frequency of more than 10 imp-1 leads to 2 effects: depolarization and strong, prolonged muscle contraction or dentate tetanus. With an increase in the frequency of the current, due to very frequent impulses, the muscle tissue does not relax and complete tetanus occurs, which, with a subsequent increase in frequency, changes to complete non-excitability of the muscle tissue.

The most intense excitation is realized when the frequency ranges of impulsation and electrical stimulation coincide in the nerve conductors. Against the background of electrical stimulation of the nerve with impulses of more than 50 imp-1, excitation of motor nerve conductors and passive contraction of muscle fibers are formed.

Besides:

• In the cytoplasm of cells, the amount of high-energy compounds (creatine phosphate, ATP) increases, their enzymatic activity is activated, oxygen utilization is accelerated, and energy costs for stimulated muscle contraction are reduced compared to arbitrary;
• Blood supply and lymph outflow are activated, which leads to increased trophism;
• The expansion of peripheral vessels, which occurs in parallel with the passive contraction of the muscles, leads to the activation of blood flow.

As you know, nerve cells regulate the activity of other cells. Signals coming from nerve endings cause contractions of myocytes. When both muscle and nerve cells are active, ions move rapidly across the cell membrane. The current generated during this is called the "action potential", and it can be registered using intracellular electrodes.

Impulses that are as close as possible in form to the "action potentials" of muscle and nerve cells are called neuroimpulses. Preparations that generate neuroimpulses are especially popular in cosmetology, since the procedures are carried out with the greatest comfort, and the result is more effective and noticeable.

Indications for electrical stimulation and effects of procedures

Procedures allow:

• Prevent atrophy of muscle tissue due to the special “training” of muscles during stimulation, namely, contraction and relaxation;
• Restore the nervous regulation of muscle tissue contraction;
• Increase muscle volume and strength without shortening muscle fibers;
• Increase adaptation and fatigue limit of muscle tissue;
• Reduce pain in any localization;
• Recycle energy reserves(thus activate lipolysis);
• Provide lymphatic drainage and accelerate the excretion of metabolic products.

The most popular indications for stimulation:

• Weakening muscle tone;
• Weakening of skin turgor;
• Modeling the oval of the face and neck, restoring muscle tone in this area.

Devices for electromyostimulation

Modern computerized equipment allows you to set the required procedure parameters that will be most effective in each case:

• pulse shape;
• pulse repetition rate. More often, a low pulse frequency is used, from 10 to 1000 Hz.

The low frequency range used in physiotherapy practice is preferable due to the fact that the fibers skeletal muscle can respond by contraction to stimulation with a current with a multiplicity of not more than 1000 Hz. Higher current frequencies are no longer perceived by the nervous and muscular tissue as separate stimuli, and this leads to a sharp decrease in the effectiveness of the impact.

To influence the skeletal smooth muscles and nerve conductors it is necessary to use different pulse frequencies. If the device allows you to change the frequency of the generated pulses, this greatly expands the scope of its application. Different classes of devices operate at different pulse frequencies:

• Apparatus for high-end electrical stimulation - high-frequency filling of impulses with a recommended frequency in the range of 400-600 Hz.
• Middle-class devices - low-frequency pulse filling with the recommended frequency of myostimulation in the range of 10-230 Hz.

Also, the devices are classified into professional ones, which are installed in physical rooms and cosmetology rooms of beauty salons, and low-power home devices (belts, butterflies, shorts, etc.), which can be used independently.

The pulse duration is 0.1-1000 ms. Close to natural neuroimpulses and most preferred for myostimulation are short impulses, from 0.1 to 0.5 ms.

The current strength of the equipment varies depending on the part of the body: for the impact on the face - up to 10 mA, for the impact on the body - up to 50 mA. During the procedures, the intensity of the current varies depending on the sensations of the person: muscle contractions should be strong, but not cause pain.

Impulses are classified into mono- and bipolar.

• Monopolar pulses separate substances into ions and can move particles with an electrical charge deep into tissues. Monopolar pulsed current can also be used for electrophoresis. The same substances are used as in electrophoresis with galvanic current.
• Bipolar impulses lead to oscillatory motions of particles with electric charge on biological membranes. Pulses on symmetrical zones compensate for electrolysis, and skin irritation does not occur under the electrodes. Such impulses more effectively overcome skin resistance, and procedures are more comfortable for patients.

Treatment with electrical stimulation is carried out 2-3 times in 7 days (it is possible every other day), for 20-40 minutes per session. The course includes 15-20 procedures. The minimum break between courses is 1 month.

Scheme of procedures

1. The electrodes, well moistened in water, are placed on the active motor points of the muscle tissue in the affected area and fixed with bandages.
2. Connect the wires, observing the polarity.
3. Run the appropriate program on the device.
4. The current strength is increased gradually, 3-4 minutes after the start of exposure, until active muscle contractions appear. There should be no pain during muscle contraction. The intensity of exposure is best increased simultaneously in symmetrical zones.
5. After the end of the procedure, turn off the device and remove the electrodes.
6. The skin at the site of the procedure is treated with a moisturizing tonic or milk.

Contraindications

Contraindications to electrical stimulation are quite extensive and must be taken into account when prescribing treatment. The fact is that electric current can accelerate the progression of a number of diseases and lead to the most undesirable effects.

• Oncological diseases (however, some types of electrical stimulation are used to relieve pain).
• Blood pathologies.
• Pregnancy (in exceptional cases, it can be used for toxicosis).
• Diseases of an infectious nature.
• Hyperthermia.
• Artificial pacemaker.
• Pulmonary, heart failure above 2 degrees.
• Severe cardiac arrhythmias.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Arterial hypertension (upper pressure over 180).
• Epilepsy.
• Parkinson's disease.
• Individual intolerance to electric current.

There are also local contraindications that relate to the area of ​​the procedure:

• injuries, abrasions, cuts, and other violations of the integrity of the dermis;
• metal implants, for example, “golden threads” on the face, an intrauterine device with metal elements, if the electrodes are applied to the lower abdomen;
• benign neoplasms, including nevi;
• phlebitis, thrombophlebitis;
• phlebeurysm.

Electrical stimulation methods

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

It is successfully used in medical rehabilitation, as well as a supplement to professional athletic training, and is suitable for stimulating all the muscles of the body.

The procedures help eliminate muscle and skin flabbiness, fight cellulite, help with excess weight, impaired peripheral circulation (venous and arterial), and venous-lymphatic insufficiency. Shown for recovery muscle strength after surgery, fractures, to improve mobility. They are also recommended after a stroke, as they help restore fine hand movements and gait.

We must not forget about the individual sensitivity of patients to the action of the current, and start the procedure at the lowest rates, increasing them gradually. With prolonged electrotherapy, addiction may develop. Therefore, it is very important to correctly draw up a treatment program, including other methods for the greatest effect. If we are talking about trained people, athletes, then it should be borne in mind that this group of patients initially has more strong muscles, so the electrical load must be more intense.

Muscle electrical stimulation is well combined with lymphatic drainage, deep thermal exposure, electrophoresis, ultrasound therapy, pressotherapy, endermology.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

In other words, the impact on the focus through the skin. It is effective for acute and chronic pain of various origins and is used in everyday physiotherapy practice.

High-frequency exposure activates the mechanisms of pain inhibition: electric current impulses lead to the blockade of pain signals that travel along the nerves from the source of pain to the brain. Low-frequency exposure activates the release of endorphins, which act as natural pain inhibitors.

Unlike pain-relieving drug therapy, TENS has no side effects. It can be used as monotherapy, and as an adjunct to other methods.

Transcranial electrical stimulation

It implies the impact of pulsed bipolar currents with specified characteristics on the brain. The main indications for electrical stimulation of the brain: post-stroke and post-infarction state, hypertonic disease 1-2 stages, rehabilitation after damage to the peripheral nervous system, pain syndrome in oncological, neurological patients, after injuries, depression, anxiety, toxicosis of pregnant women in the 1-2 trimesters, menopause, sleep disturbances, itchy dermatitis.

• Activation of opioid structures and the release of beta-endorphin, which relieves pain syndromes, reduces the drug load if pain relief is needed;
• Beta-endorphin relieves anxiety and has an antidepressant effect, improves stress resistance and mood, which in itself helps in the treatment of any disease;
• Impact on the vasomotor center of the medulla oblongata normalizes blood pressure;
• Activation of lymphocytes by beta-endorphin leads to an increase in the body's defenses;

The method is also used in the treatment of addictions and relieves withdrawal symptoms. Cravings for alcohol and drugs are reduced by stimulating the opiate system. Helps in the recovery period for severe burn patients. It has an analgesic effect, relieves stress spasm of the vascular wall and improves blood circulation.

Interstitial electrical stimulation

The second name is electrical stimulation according to Gerasimov, since the method was developed under the guidance of this scientist. Main indications: spinal osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, pain syndrome after spinal surgery for hernia truncation, scoliosis, deforming arthrosis, VVD, dysfunction of peripheral nerves, bronchial asthma, migraine, headache tension, dizziness, heel spur.

For the procedure, special disposable needles are used, which are connected with wires to a device that generates a pulsed low-frequency current. Needles are placed directly into the painful areas.

As a result of the procedure, blood microcirculation improves, swelling decreases, muscle spasm is eliminated and nutrition in the area where the needles are placed improves. Already after the first procedure, there is a significant improvement and reduction of pain.

Very often practiced with osteochondrosis, localized in any part of the spine. It improves blood circulation, helps stop the breakdown of cartilaginous tissue, restores innervation and, most importantly for patients, eliminates pain in 95% of cases.

Electrical eye stimulation

It is realized during the impact of pulsed current on the muscular apparatus of the eye, optic nerve, retina. Main indications: ptosis, strabismus, dystrophy of the retina, optic nerve, myopia, amblyopia, paresis and paralysis of the oculomotor muscles.

The impact on the motor muscles of the eyelid and eye leads to an improvement in neuromuscular transmission, normalization of muscle tone and more efficient functioning. After a course of procedures, friendly eye movements and eyelid lifting improve. The action on the sensory apparatus (optic nerve, retina) allows you to increase the number of connections with the central nervous system and form a large feedback and thus improve vision.

Electrical stimulation of the pelvic nerves

It is an alternative, official method for the treatment of fecal and urinary incontinence. Works both with stress incontinence and dysfunction due to decreased muscle tone pelvic floor and anal sphincter.

• In the treatment of stress incontinence, the goal of treatment is to eliminate dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles.
• For urinary incontinence, the procedure aims to inhibit the involuntary contraction of the bladder wall by stimulating the pelvic floor nerves.

Electrical stimulation in children

In pediatrics this method treatment is used quite widely, from birth, with the following pathologies: intestinal atony, pelvic dysfunction, hypotension of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall, organic lesion of the central nervous system, cerebral palsy, flat feet, scoliosis, dysplasia hip joints, the consequences of TBI, including in children in a state of medical sleep, the consequences of an infectious lesion of the spinal cord and brain, autism, hyperactivity, speech and hearing disorders, joint pathologies.

In children, all methods of electrical stimulation are used, including interstitial, transcranial. The current strength, the shape and frequency of the pulse and the duration of exposure are selected individually. In any case, stimulation is carried out on sparing modes and with a shorter duration of exposure than in adults.

In cosmetology

The procedure is actively used in cosmetology for body shaping, cellulite, giving the face oval clearer contours, reducing skin flabbiness and wrinkles, strengthening and improving the tone of the muscles of the neck and face, abdominals(especially after childbirth), weight loss, acceleration of lymphatic drainage (elimination of edema).

During the procedure, exposure to various muscle groups impulse current of different frequency. Myostimulation allows you to use even deep muscles.

It improves the condition of small blood vessels, speeds up metabolism, activates lymph outflow, causes muscles to actively contract, eliminates stagnant processes in the skin and intensively removes excess moisture (due to this, even after the first procedure, you can see a decrease in body volume).

• When changing the oval of the face, the muscles localized in the cheek area are affected.
• With flabbiness of the neck, they stimulate a wide subcutaneous muscle– platysma, by applying self-adhesive skin electrodes.
• To reduce the severity of the second chin, a pulsed current is used.
• You can achieve noticeable positive results with the omission upper eyelid using mobile electrodes on a gel basis.

Side effects and complications

Muscle discomfort may be felt during and after the procedure. An inflammatory reaction may develop at the site of contact between the skin and the electrodes.

To prevent these undesirable effects, during the procedure, the patient should monitor his well-being and inform the doctor if discomfort or pain occurs.

Among possible complications you can note:

• hyperemia of the skin up to burns. Perhaps with improper setting of the electrodes;
• increased menstrual flow, especially if the procedure is performed in the first days of menstruation. Therefore, during menstruation, it is recommended to refuse treatment;
• Nausea, indigestion. This is possible if the procedure in the abdomen was performed immediately after eating.

One of the most effective and popular methods of physiotherapy is electrical muscle stimulation. The course of such procedures allows you to quickly restore damaged nerve endings, tissues and muscles. What is the peculiarity of this technique? Who can use an electrostimulator, and who should refuse such a procedure? You will find answers to all these questions in this article. For the treatment of certain pathologies, doctors prescribe a course of electrical stimulation. This procedure is carried out using special equipment that directs pulsed currents directly to tissues, organs and systems.
Electrical muscle stimulation, as a rule, is part of the complex therapy of diseases of the nervous system, which limit the patient's motor activity, lead to depletion of muscle tissue and loss of strength. An electrical stimulator sends an impulse to a diseased organ, which causes an immediate muscle contraction and motor excitement appears. At the same time, some brain cells also begin to work more actively. This method of treatment prevents atrophy and sclerotic changes in muscle tissue, enhances blood and lymph circulation, and improves the permeability of blood vessel walls.

Indications

Home electrostimulator

Most often, the electrostimulator is used to treat diseases of the nervous system. The procedure will be useful to all patients who have a significant decrease in the speed of nerve impulse conduction. Also, such therapy is indispensable for patients with paresis, paralysis, traumatic damage to nerve endings.
The main indications for conducting a course of electrical muscle stimulation can be considered:

• Multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, polyneuropathy and other ailments accompanied by spastic paralysis.
• Decreased sensation in the extremities after a serious injury.
• Pathologies of cerebral circulation, leading to central paralysis.
• Long-term treatment of complex fractures, in which the patient's motor activity is limited. As a rule, with such an injury, the patient's muscles are depleted. To prevent this from happening, doctors recommend using an electrical stimulator.

Electrical muscle stimulation will only be effective if it is combined with other therapies.

Advantages

The procedure for electrical muscle stimulation is not without reason so popular. This technique has many advantages, namely:

• Effectively restores muscle performance.
• Not only treats the disease, but also has an analgesic effect.
• You can use the pacemaker without special training and medical education. Modern manufacturers medical equipment companies offer a wide range of compact, inexpensive devices that can be used for home therapy.

Despite the fact that the electrostimulator can be used at home, before a course of such procedures, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Flaws

Each patient should be aware that in addition to the advantages, electrical muscle stimulation also has obvious disadvantages. The disadvantages of the technique include:

• If the damage to the nervous system is very strong, such therapy will be ineffective and will not give the desired result.
• Physiotherapy with the use of an electrical stimulator allows you to get rid of only the consequences of the disease, but not the cause of the development of unpleasant symptoms.

Some people use special equipment that sends electrical pulses for muscle training and against cellulite. However, professionals say that it will be quite difficult to achieve the desired goal in this way. If you want to lose weight or build beautiful muscles, it's better to sign up for a gym and start eating right. Classes, of course, will require a lot of effort from you, but the figure will become slim.

Contraindications

The electrical stimulation technique also has some contraindications. It is not recommended to perform such procedures when:

• Rheumatism;
• Frequent heavy bleeding;
• atrial fibrillation;
• Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels;
• Inflammatory and infectious diseases;
• Oncology.

If you have recently undergone surgery on tendons or muscles, you can do electrical stimulation only after 1 month. The use of electrical impulses can provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus, so pregnant women should also avoid such a procedure.

Back

Back diseases such as osteochondrosis can cause a lot of pain and discomfort to the patient. Medicines help reduce pain, but do not eliminate the main cause of the development of pathology. To quickly and effectively get rid of back pain, doctors recommend taking a full course of special interstitial electrical stimulation. This technique was developed by the famous scientist A. Gerasimov.
A needle with an electrode is inserted into the affected area of ​​the body under the skin. Electrical impulses are sent directly to muscle tissue. This leads to the normalization of blood circulation and the expansion of small vessels. Such treatment stops the process of destruction of cartilage tissue, removes salt from the body, improves the functioning of nerve endings.
The benefits of back treatment using the Gerasimov method include:

• Quick relief from pain and other unpleasant symptoms.
• The procedure is completely painless.
• You do not need to take additional medications that can cause allergic reactions and harm the body.
• Fast recovery.

Intramuscular electrical stimulation also has contraindications. It is not recommended to perform such a procedure if you have any inflammatory disease, pathology of cardio-vascular system, oncology or pulmonary tuberculosis. In addition, the use of an electrical pacemaker is prohibited during pregnancy and for people with an artificial pacemaker. In any case, before the procedure, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Eyes

In modern ophthalmology, the method of electrical stimulation is also used to treat visual impairment in adults and children. Doctors recommend the use of such physiotherapy for:

• nearsightedness or farsightedness;
• Asthenopia;
• Strabismus;
• Atrophy of the optic nerve.

A beam of light is directed to the retina of the eye, and the eye instantly reacts to it. If vision is impaired, information from the outside world may enter the brain distorted. The electrical stimulator has a direct effect on the neuromuscular system of the eye, the muscles contract, and the conduction of the nerves normalizes. The procedure is simple and painless, carried out in almost every clinic. The only contraindication to the use of an electrostimulator for the treatment of eye diseases is the presence of an inflammatory disease or hemorrhage.

Brain

Some neuropsychiatric diseases of the brain can be effectively treated with a course of electrical stimulation. A special device sends nerve impulses that activate the basic functions of the brain. The main advantages of such procedures are the absence of the need for additional medication and the exclusion of the possibility of side effects.
The main indications for conducting a course of electrical stimulation of the brain can be considered:

• head trauma;
• Pathology of the central nervous system;
• neuroses;
• Hearing and vision disorders;
• Consequences of improper blood circulation of the brain.

Before proceeding with the procedure, be sure to consult with your doctor. The thing is that this technique has contraindications. It is not recommended to use an electrostimulator for hypertension, atherosclerosis, high temperature, infectious or colds, oncology.

Electrical stimulation (video)

Electrical muscle stimulation is often used in physiotherapy and rehabilitation activities. The procedure has two goals. First of all, the impact is aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome. At the same time, restoration muscle activity. Let's take a closer look at this procedure. The article will also describe some devices for electrical muscle stimulation.

General information

Muscle electrical stimulation is performed using special equipment. It is equipped with electrodes that are connected by wires. The device for electrical muscle stimulation sends current to the elements. Through the electrodes, the impulses propagate into the muscle tissue. The result is a motor or sensory response.

Electrode placement methods

They are placed on the surface of the skin, above specific muscles. There are two options for placing elements. The first is the location of one electrode in a healthy area, and the second - in the affected area. 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 the formation of tissues, thus accelerating the 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 in cellulite. Procedures are applied to reduce overweight and body shaping. Recommended electrical stimulation in case of deterioration of blood circulation (peripheral venous and arterial), decreased tone, lymphatic drainage. The procedure is not prescribed during pregnancy, the presence of an intrauterine pacemaker. Electrical stimulation is contraindicated in case of nervosa, after surgery.

Removal of soreness

There are two opinions about how electrical muscle stimulation relieves pain. In accordance with the "gate theory" - the first hypothesis, signals from the affected area are sent to the brain through the nerves. However, most of the impulses go through the "gate". Signals during electrical stimulation also pass through them. As a result, the nerves that transmit the pain impulse are blocked. According to another theory, electrical muscle stimulation 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 down or prevent this process. The impulses that the electrical muscle stimulation device sends help to maintain the activity of the weakened muscles.

Therapy for osteoarthritis

This pathology is caused by the degradation of articular tissues. In the course of research, it was found that electrical stimulation is very effective methodology in the treatment of patients suffering from osteoarthritis in this area of ​​the lower limb, as well as after surgery and joint replacement. Pulse impact can help strengthen the knee extensors, which provides better segment mobility.

Prevention of bedsores

This problem is considered quite common for bedridden patients chained to the bed. During a long stay in this position, there is a strong and constant pressure on certain areas of the body. Electrical stimulation of the buttocks helps prevent deformities and the appearance of bedsores.

Tissue restoration

Muscle electrical stimulation is actively used on fibers that do not contract enough. This kind of effect is shown in different states, but most often it is prescribed to patients who have had a stroke or orthopedic surgery. Often such patients experience serious difficulties when trying to make movements. If the electrodes are placed correctly, the fibers may begin to contract without the patient's intervention during the process of sending an electrical signal from the device to the muscles. During this artificially induced reaction, the patient also tries to contract the muscles. As a result, the procedures contribute to the fact that the brain again "learns" to coordinate muscle activity on its own.

Muscle electrical stimulation: expert reviews

Despite the fact that various activities are periodically carried out to study the effects of current, its effectiveness remains in question. In some studies, the procedure almost completely fails. Often, electrical muscle stimulation acts as a alternative method due to insufficient evidence of its usefulness. However, there are experts who point to the effectiveness of the procedures. Thus, in the course of one of the studies conducted in 2014, which involved patients with severe and moderate muscle pain, it was found that exposure to current contributed to a significant decrease in the intensity of sensations. It should be noted that the study of the effectiveness of the procedures is still ongoing.

Electrical muscle stimulation for children

In pediatrics, electric shock is often used. Such a procedure as electrical muscle stimulation is not contraindicated for children, but it has its own characteristics. First of all, you should be careful not to exceed the duration of exposure. Electrical stimulation of the leg muscles for children is prescribed with a reduced tone. Due to the impulse action, blood circulation is stimulated, the activity of the muscles is restored. Electrical stimulation of the leg muscles for children is recommended for flat feet.

Benefits of exposure

Electrical muscle stimulation, reviews of many patients confirm this, is very effective in many cases. The undoubted advantage of the procedure is the removal of pain. According to patients, relief comes quickly enough and lasts a long period. Exposure to current does not provoke 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. At the same time, muscle function may not be restored with severe neurological damage. Advertisements for electrical stimulation devices claim that some of them help, but there is no clinical evidence for this.

Exposure using professional equipment

Various devices are used for the procedures. One of them is the physiotherapy equipment "ESMA". In the process of exposure, not only the fibers are irritated, but also the nerve innervating them with the help of a pulsed current. As a result, a change in bioelectrical activity is observed, spike responses are formed, and an intensive contraction is carried out. During the procedure, such types of current are used as:

• High frequency.
• Pulse.
• Midrange.
• Constant.
• Low frequency.

Mechanism of influence

Electrostimulation of the muscles is often compared to "gymnastics for the lazy" - the patient does nothing, and 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. However, one does not replace or cancel the other. In the process of normal physical activity, regardless of its nature - housework, special exercises, walks and so on - purposeful work is carried out by far not 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, reserve capillary channels open. Due to such a massive impact, even the most weakened muscles are prepared for work. However, one should not be limited to the use of external influences. To successfully achieve the goal, you need to force your muscles to act.

Equipment types

Electrodes are applied to certain motor points of the thighs, back, chest, abdomen, lower extremities. Depending on which model of the muscle stimulator is used, a special conductive gel can 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 that are located deep enough, which in normal cases can be difficult to get close to. Electrical stimulation of the calf muscles is very effective. As a rule, the impact is directed to a separate muscle group. In this case, electrical stimulation is performed in a certain sequence. In fact, this determines positive effect from the procedure. As mentioned above, the equipment is equipped with electrodes. They, in turn, are equipped with devices by 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 conduction of impulses.

Exposure at home

Today, portable devices are quite popular. Some of them run on batteries. However, such devices are only able to maintain the state. With a 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 calf muscles with a portable device will relieve fatigue after a working day. However, it will not help to correct the condition of the muscles. Among the most common devices, it should be noted OMRON E4, "Enistim-1", "ESMA 12.20 COMBI" and "ESMA 12.48 FAVORITE".

Hello my friends! Today's article will be devoted to electrical muscle stimulation as part of the rehabilitation process. Let's figure out what is body myostimulation (electrostimulation) and I will give you advice and recommendations from my personal experience. It will be fun and hopefully useful.

Let's start with the fact that after surgery on the joint or injury, the leg muscles instantly lose their volume and tone. When we receive an injury, we naturally begin to spare the injured limb, we begin to use it less.

After the operation and, accordingly, other injuries, we can’t stand on our legs for some time, we load it incompletely. 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, there is a redistribution of the load. Therefore, even after recovering, we walk with a little less load on the injured leg. An experienced rehabilitation therapist immediately notices this. Well, or pretending to see everything, who knows.

How does this happen. As the disease progresses and underload due to injury, .

contractures- restrictions of movement in which the limb cannot be fully flexed or extended.

Incorrect load on the joint entails a change in the position of the pelvis and spine, appears compensatory scoliosis(). These changes violate the biomechanics of walking, increase the load on the spine, causing secondary pathological changes in it. The redistribution of muscle tone leads to the formation and consolidation of a pathological incorrect motor stereotype. Like waves from a stone thrown into the water, one violation in the body entails other violations. One disease leads to a change not only in the organ that bothers, but also in nearby organs and tissues.

In any case, after the operation on the joint, rehabilitation is prescribed. Already a day after the operation, it is desirable to move and move the leg, bend, as far as possible, in the ankle and knee joint. After you can already 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 the operation performed, etc.

Rehabilitation– a complex of medical, pedagogical, psychological, professional measures aimed at restoring health and returning to a full-fledged professional activity of patients after severe 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 particular operation. You go and pay money. The rehabilitation specialist develops a program just for you and appoints an appointment in a month. Then money again, a new program, slightly supplemented, and again in a circle. And where are you going? Probably this the right approach and any work costs money. It’s just that in my case, the rehabilitator was constantly pulling his leg, checking something, but he didn’t notice that the ligament was already gone (). Naturally, I lost faith in all this.

Of course, in no case do not think that rehabilitation is not needed. She is a must! Only by physical, correct loads you can return the damaged limb to its original state. Therefore, it is necessary to visit a rehabilitation specialist once or twice after the operation.

As you understand, the process of rehabilitation for me lasted for several years, each time starting anew and is still ongoing. But let's not talk about sad things. I want to talk about something else.

We 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 emailed me a general rehabilitation program and a video.

Body myostimulation devices

But in this video, I was not interested in the exercises, but the one mentioned in passing electrical stimulation or myostimulation muscles and various parts of the body. Such hidden advertising. But why is it hidden? Explicit. But there is nothing of the kind in this. The main thing is to help. At 3.46 minutes they talk about the device.

Myostimulation of the body and muscles during rehabilitation after knee surgery is not so important. In my experience, doctors don't even talk about it. But myostimulation is a part.

I often recall Igor Akinfeev in my articles - I feel a kindred spirit in him. He, if you know, already had two operations to repair the anterior cruciate ligament. True, his operations were carried out for other reasons than mine. I mean, in his case, of course, doctors are watching him, his recovery program has everything: exercises, modern simulators, massage therapists and myostimulation as well.

Of course, this cannot but be of interest. You lie down, do nothing, and the muscles themselves work, twitch and recover - a fairy tale. Leo is immortal. After all, how annoying (I know for myself) every day, several times to do various exercises. Well, I digress.

The video contains an advertisement for a specific portable electrical stimulator. He is certainly 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'm not the only one who will be grateful.

But the desire to try something like that was strong. I began to search 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 by typing “electrostimulation” in a search engine you get to sites of a specific orientation, it will not be said in front of children.

I will not load you with scientific knowledge and work with evidence of the benefits and effects of electrical stimulation on various muscles, tissues, neurons, etc. But I'll give you some basic information.

Muscle electrical stimulation- strengthening the activity of body systems and organs by stimulation with electric current. Electrical muscle stimulation is used as a method of applying an electric current that causes muscle contraction.

Muscle electrical stimulation improves blood circulation in the muscles, stimulates and activates the plastic processes in the muscles, enhances metabolic and trophic processes in the muscles. With atrophy, muscles increase in fiber mass and strength. Current impulses cause muscle contraction, which increases the activity of regulatory systems and increases the activity of the cells of the cerebral cortex.

Various studies indicate that the electrical impulses muscle contractions and subsequent relaxation increase blood and lymph circulation in them, promote the delivery of nutrients to the muscle, ensure the release of under-oxidized products, and contribute to 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 at a current strength that reaches up to 50 mA, which alternates with pauses. The current pulse, when passing through the tissues, excites the cells and stimulates motor activity in the muscles, during stops (pauses) the muscles relax and rest. Under the electrodes, there is no irritating effect on the skin, even with prolonged myostimulation, tissue damage does not occur. In other words, from myostimulation does not arise discomfort in the scope.

It was not possible for me to buy the device described above and shown, and I went the other way. I wonder what I did Then we read on.

Body myostimulation devices on Aliexpress

I went to a Chinese site aliexpress and found that the Chinese can buy a pocket portable device for myostimulation of all parts of the body very cheaply. I decided that to try what electrical stimulation is, that's enough. And I ordered this miracle device. Here link to the seller's shop. 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 whole design consists of the device itself, powered by batteries, from USB or from the network (the seller needs to specify the adapter you need), wires (each is divided into two and two more) and sticky pads that are connected to the electrode and applied to the body. Logically judging, I immediately ordered 100 pieces of spare adhesive pads from the same seller. I was right, after a while the sticky surface becomes dirty, the pads do not adhere well and this leads to pain. So a small amount for spare pads was added to the cost of the device.

What can I say? Oddly enough, this device works well. It has 15 intensity levels and 8 stimulation modes. The modes differ in effect (acupuncture, shiatsu massage, cupping massage, etc.). Of course, this is a cheap Chinese device. After a while, the socket where the electric wire is inserted parted and the device stopped turning on. I had to open it, arm myself with a soldering iron and slightly solder a place on the board, which began to move away. It still works. Everything is fine.

I also want to say that I have seen several videos on Youtube, where people share their impressions of this device. Everyone likes. So if you want to try it, buy it, you won't regret it.

For some, it shocks quite noticeably at power level 3. I have already reached the last 15 and nothing, tolerable. Here it is necessary to take into account the threshold of sensitivity - it is different for everyone. Oh, and muscle tone. As you understand, I have it reduced on the operated leg.

The biggest problem when using the device is the installation of the electrodes. Where to stick sticky pads? If you stick it in the wrong place, there will be no muscle reaction.

Muscle motor points (myostimulation points)

In order for the 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 show on my good leg. Firstly, so as not to frighten 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 is easy to figure it out. One pad is glued to one motor point, the other to the opposite.

Muscle motor points are areas where the motor nerve penetrates the muscle sheath (the most excitable place). The "Erb table" is used to determine the location of motor points.

For each individual, these points may vary, but you can guess the approximate place. As you can see, the beginning and end of the muscle are clearly visible on the leg, and the required points are also located there.

Motor points of the anterior (I) and posterior (II) surfaces of the leg: I - anterior surface: 1 - tailor muscle; 2 — the muscle straining a wide fascia of a hip; 3 - quadriceps femoris; 4 - outer broad muscle hips; 5 - peroneal nerve; 6 - long peroneal muscle; 7 - anterior tibial muscle; 8 - common extensor of the fingers; 9 - short peroneal muscle; 10 - extensor of the thumb; 11 - femoral nerve; 12 - iliopsoas muscle; 13 - comb muscle; 14 - long adductor muscle; 15 - a large adductor muscle; 16 - wide inner thigh muscle. II - rear surface: 1 - large gluteal muscle; 2 - long adductor muscle; 3 - a large adductor muscle; 4 - semitendinosus muscle; 5 - semimembranous muscle; 6 - tailor muscle; 7 - calf muscle(inner head); 8 - soleus muscle; 9 - common flexor of the fingers; 10 - posterior tibial muscle; 11 - small gluteal muscle; 12 - sciatic nerve; 13 - external broad muscle; 14 - biceps femoris; 15 - tibial nerve; 16 - calf muscle; 17 - soleus muscle; 18 - long peroneal muscle; 19 - short peroneal muscle; 20 - thumb flexor; 21 - muscle that removes the V finger.

Or quite simply the points we need can be specified like this:

That's actually all. The device can be set for 5, 10 and 15 minutes.

It is impossible to peel off the electrodes during the operation of the device. Probably, it will give an unpleasant current. I haven't tried. Turn off, change position and turn on again.

You should start the procedure with the lowest current strength (minimum intensity) and gradually increase the intensity of exposure, while pain and discomfort should not occur. The current also does not hit. With the correct installation of the electrodes, independent muscle tension is felt. Muscles must get used to the effects of current: if you immediately give the maximum load, then the muscles will overstrain, and there will be a negative result. Muscle habituation without pain and discomfort is formed gradually. Even if you can, do not increase the power too much. Do everything gradually.

As the muscles get used to the load, you can increase the current strength, change the pulse mode.

You should not carry out the procedure for a long time and a lot. A couple of times a day for 15 minutes is enough.

The pads should adhere well to the skin. When they become dirty and do not adhere well, a very painful burning sensation can be felt.

Antagonist muscles (eg, joint flexors, extensor muscles, extrinsic and intrinsic thigh muscles, abdominal muscles, and buttocks) cannot be simultaneously stimulated.

Antagonist muscles are muscle groups or muscles that perform opposite anatomical functions, creating the opposite action in relation to each other, that is, in other words, these are flexor and extensor muscles of the joints.

Muscles, with the correct installation of the electrodes, are reduced and not bad. Sometimes there may even be pain with intense contraction.

Over time, the electrodes become dirty and need to be changed, but they last for a long time. Wiping with water, alcohol, etc. Does not help. I tried.

Conclusion and Conclusions

That, in fact, is all.

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 such an interesting addition to try when you come from the gym after intense exercise and sit down to relax on the sofa.

Also, myostimulation, by contracting muscles, increases the flow of blood and nutrients to a given place, promotes faster healing and restoration of damaged muscle tissues and nerve endings.

You can also buy something cooler and more impressive, and for myostimulation of all parts of the body. Here is such a device will allow you to try electrical stimulation in 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 with a rehabilitation doctor. There are cases when electrical stimulation is the only means of recovery motor activity and prescribed by a doctor. To achieve truly tangible results and impact, it is necessary that the 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 on special powerful devices under the supervision of a doctor.

In short, myostimulation complements the usual physical exercise but only supplements. And here the same can not be done without difficulty. Nothing is being done, unfortunately.

Until a person could invent such a device or tablet that would work, but we did nothing. On the other hand, is it necessary? Sitting on the couch in front of the TV is not the best pastime.

Have you tried something like this or have you gone through such procedures?

Write, comment. We will all be interested.

All the best, don't worry!