Muscle Contraction
Electric muscle stimulation (EMS) is touted as having the ability to strengthen muscles, reduce weight, minimize body fat and improve local blood circulation. During physical activity, your brain (inside source) sends a message to nerves to signal the contraction of certain muscles. EMS uses an outside electrical source to communicate with nerve fibers. When the stimulation is applied, the brain sends a nerve impulse to the motor point of the muscle. This signal causes the muscle to expand and contract. EMS sends minute quantities of electricity to the body. Electrodes are placed over the motor points of the muscle group to be exercised.
Electric Current
Electrical current is emitted through rubber contact pads that are positioned over particular muscles that tighten when they become aroused by electrical energy. The stimulation is not constant but turns on and off to imitate traditional exercise. This prompts the muscle to passively exercise.
EMS is distinguished by its low volt stimulation that's intended to arouse motor nerves to cause a muscle contraction. Electrical muscle stimulation signals the brain to sends a nerve impulse to the motor point of your muscle.
Specific Effects
According to the National Skeletal Muscle Research Center, electrical muscle stimulation has distinct structural designs that allow the selection of varying degrees of pressure to effectively treat muscles based on their individual response to EMS.
For example, skeletal muscles (affect the way in which somebody holds his or her body) have a high quantity of slow fibers that are activated at low frequencies of electric stimulation. Muscles with a very high amount of fast fibers (quadriceps in thighs) may be triggered only with sporadic high frequency eruptions of electrical current.
Although EMS may briefly firm or tone muscles due to the repeated electrical stimulation, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any EMS device as a means of losing weight or developing "six pack" abs.
Therapeutic Uses
The majority of electrical muscle stimulators reviewed by the FDA for sale in the U.S. are planned to be used for medical conditions, rehabilitation and physical therapy purposes under the supervision of a health care provider. Electrical stimulation is sometimes used to expedite the repair of certain injuries, broken arms, legs and other limbs. It may also be prescribed by doctors as therapy for muscle spasms and bursitis (a painful condition that typically develops in the elbows, shoulders and hips).
According to the Mayo Clinic, chiropractors sometimes use EMS to treat low back pain. EMS may help paraplegics preserve muscles that no longer have nerve function. Stroke victims may use EMS to aid in the retraining of muscles.
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