What Is EMS Therapy (& How Does It Work)

EMS therapy can sound a little intimidating when your chiropractor recommends it, especially if you’ve never tried it before. EMS therapy is often referred to as E-Stim therapy (short for electrical muscle stimulation), and it’s commonly used to stimulate muscles in a way that may help decrease pain.

“What is it? Why do I need it? Why would I benefit from it? Does it hurt? Can I stop once I start?”

You will find the answers to these questions as you read on and we hope that it helps ease any anxiety you feel about this treatment option. Note: If you landed here while searching for “stem therapy” or “stem chiropractor,” you’re not alone, those searches are common. EMS therapy is not stem therapy. This article covers electrical muscle stimulation (E-Stim), not stem cell therapy.

 

EMS Therapy vs “Stem Therapy”: Quick Clarification

EMS therapy (E-Stim) uses gentle electrical impulses delivered through pads or a handheld device to stimulate muscles. “Stem therapy” usually refers to stem cell-related treatments, which is a completely different topic.

If your goal is to understand what EMS therapy feels like, how it works, and how chiropractors may use it alongside adjustments for pain relief, you’re in the right place.

 

What Is EMS Therapy (E-Stim)?

E-Stim therapy is a way of using electricity to stimulate your muscles as a way of decreasing pain.

You may be surprised to learn that electrical muscular stimulation has been around for almost 2,000 years! Around 500 BC, Egyptians discovered that certain types of fish emit electric shocks and used those as a form of pain management. It extended throughout the centuries in different forms, and now we have electrode pads! 

How does EMS therapy work?

The theory is that the electricity sends impulses to your muscles, causing them to contract. As the muscle contracts and relaxes, it causes the body to release endorphins, natural pain management hormones emitted by our bodies.

The muscle continues to contract and relax as the electricity is sent through the muscles which helps to strengthen the target area and repair weak or damaged muscles/ligaments. This increased movement can also help with blood flow to the area.

 

What Does EMS Therapy Feel Like?

E-Stim therapy should not hurt. During your session, you will feel tingling, mild muscle contractions, and twitching. Our staff will adjust the settings to a level that is comfortable for you. If it becomes bothersome or too intense, let us know.

There is no need to force yourself to withstand “stronger” levels to experience a better result. You will experience the same benefits whether the level is high or low. As long as you can feel the muscle twitching and contracting, that is good enough to benefit from the therapy.

 

Who Can Benefit?

In conjunction with your chiropractic adjustments, E-Stim therapy can further relieve your pain. If your adjustments are helping but the pain relief is not lasting through until your next appointment, E-Stim therapy could be your answer. It’s a targeted approach to problem areas.

Although E-Stim is a great pain relief option, it is not for everyone. Studies show that if you are pregnant, have cancer, or have heart conditions that these electrodes should not be placed near the areas where the condition is.

Please consult with your primary physician and your chiropractor in order to figure out which course of treatment is best and when. If the above conditions are not a factor for you, anyone who is experiencing pain can benefit from E-Stim.

 

How Much Does E-Stim Therapy Cost?

Fortunately for you, Oviedo Chiropractic offers E-Stim therapy as a part of your regular adjustments. We feel that the two coupled together are what help the most with pain relief. As always, you are not obligated to do this treatment, but depending on your source of pain, we typically recommend trying it.

Because the Dolphin device is more targeted, it takes additional training and education to be able to administer this treatment. At the moment, only one of our massage therapists is certified to work with the Dolphin Neurostim. If you would like this treatment, schedule a medical massage with Digna.

 

Try EMS Therapy at Oviedo Chirpractic

Whether you already knew what EMS therapy was or were looking for answers, we hope this information has helped.

E-Stim can sound unnerving, but it is really just an extension of chiropractic adjustments meant to alleviate pain. It can improve your range of motion, increase blood flow, and reduce pain and inflammation in your body.

This ancient, non-invasive therapy has long been regarded as safe and effective. Contact us today to book your appointment so we can talk through your options and keep your plan focused on what’s appropriate for your needs.