When a person is faced with a deep muscular problem due to an injury or surgery, there are several options they can try to restore muscle tone and lessen any pain. Treatments such as Muscle Stimulators and T.E.N.S. devices are designed to stimulate and exercise the complicated muscle fibers that can be inactive or damaged. While these devices work in a similar fashion, they are very much different from each other, offering equally beneficial results to those with muscle problems or pain. Please read on to learn more about the differences between Muscle Stimulators and T.E.N.S. devices.
Muscle Stimulators (also known as Electronic Muscle Stimulators-EMS)
Electronic muscle stimulation involves using a low voltage pulsing electronic current that targets motor nerves in order to cause them to rapidly contract and relax multiple times. The muscle tissue contracts when the low level electronic voltage passes into the fibers, and then relaxes as the voltage ends. This pattern continues over and over as the muscle tissue is stimulated and worked. This continual muscle stimulation helps to tone the muscles underneath the skin. It also increases blood flow to the muscles which aids in healing of torn or damaged tissues. EMS is most often used in conjunction with physical therapy or chiropractor treatments to relax the muscles and reduce pain and inflammation. The improved circulation brings more healing oxygen to the muscles and removes toxins to help with speeding up the healing process.
T.E.N.S. Devices (also called Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators)
The T.E.N.S. device is similar to the standard EMS system, but it works somewhat differently. The T.E.N.S. device also produces a form of electrical muscle stimulation, but it focuses only on the sensory nerve endings only to reduce pain associated with muscle spasms and injury. As the electronic current passes through the muscles, endorphins are released by the brain into the body to naturally reduce the pain that the patient may be experiencing. At the same time, the electrical current blocks any further signals to the pain receptors in the brain that the muscle is hurting so that the endorphins can do their job of healing that particular area of the body that is being treated.
Both EMS and T.E.N.S. treatment are especially effective for anyone who is experiencing muscle atrophy from not being able to use a part of their body for a long period of time, such as a bedridden or handicapped patient. Muscle atrophy can also occur when someone experiences an accident, surgery or an injury that has caused them to become paralyzed or lose mobility in a part of their body. The benefits of both treatments are well worth the time that it takes to tone and heal muscle fibers in the body. It is also useful for anyone who experiences muscle spasms due to injury such as those that can occur as a result of a car accident or a sporting injury. Having the added benefit of being a useful tool for pain management has made EMS and T.E.N.S. valuable treatment options that anyone can benefit from.
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