Muscle stimulation therapy is a technique used to help ease pain and speed blood flow to muscles that require healing. It involves the use of a Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation, or TENS, unit or other machinery which can be small enough to fit in your pocket. According to The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, people who had hip surgery and then combined physical therapy with muscle stimulation therapy for treatment healed faster and had greater muscular strength in the area that was treated.
Step 1
Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about muscle stimulation therapy before using it. It is important to be aware of both the benefits and the risks. It can be very effective in increasing muscular strength and blood flow yet the website for Pain Management Technologies states that people with heart problems, pacemakers and pregnant women should not use TENS units, as they could result in serious injuries. If you determine that muscular stimulation therapy is right for you, ask your doctor to order you one. The only way to buy TENS units is through physical therapists, clinics or doctors.
Step 2
Place clean electrodes directly on the skin near the muscle that you want to stimulate. Pain Management Technologies states that muscle stimulation therapy is most effective when placed on the area of the body that has the most pain. Space the electrodes out just slightly so that they don't overwhelm one area of the muscle. Try spacing the electrodes about three finger widths apart.
Step 3
Put batteries into the back of the TENS unit and turn the TENS unit on to the very lowest strength. It is important not to start off with too high of a strength on the muscular stimulation therapy, as this can shock the muscle or even lead to burns. Gradually increase the strength on the dial of the TENS unit until you feel nerve impulses and increased stimulation, with no pain or shocks from the muscle stimulation.
Step 4
Use the machine for 30 to 60 minutes at a time, several days a week, as directed by your doctor or physical therapist. Never use a muscle stimulation unit while sleeping, because the electrodes can be bumped off by accident. This can lead to an improper amount of stimulation coming to the muscle and can cause skin irritation, according to Pain Management Technologies.
Step 5
Replace electrodes after every use, or as directed by the instructions on the box. Some electrodes are made to last for months, while many are made for one single use only.
Things You'll Need
- A TENS unit
- Electrodes
- Batteries
References
- Pain Management Technologies: TENS, Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation
- The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Low-frequency electric muscle stimulation combined with physical therapy after total hip arthroplasty for hip osteoarthritis in elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial: Gremeaux V, Renault J, Pardon L, et al.
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