Muscles need to be stimulated in order for them to maintain their strength and health. When muscles are not stimulated, they start deteriorating. This is a problem because it can lead to muscle pain, cramping, spasms, or even paralysis.
Electrical muscle stimulation benefits the body by sending electric currents through muscles which causes contractions without any effort on the patient’s part. The electrical current stimulates the nerves that activate and control a specific group of muscles, causing them to contract and relax as needed.
This type of treatment has been used for decades for people who have problems in their brains. Also, this type of treatment has been shown to be effective in relieving joint pain and improving the quality of life for those living with chronic conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
However, in this article, we will be going over some of the most amazing benefits that electrical muscle stimulation has to offer.
Table of Contents
Top 35 Benefits Of Electrical Muscle Stimulation
An electrical muscle stimulation device is a great solution for chronic pain. It is easy and effective to use while being safe for most body parts. Here are the top 35 electrical muscle stimulation benefits.
1) Improved mobility
Electrical muscle stimulation can improve joint mobility, allowing patients to move freely and without pain. This is especially useful for those who are suffering from arthritis or fibromyalgia.
2) Reduces stiffness
Muscle stiffness can be a problem for anyone, but it becomes worse in the elderly because of their poor immune systems. Electrical muscle stimulation improves blood circulation, which reduces stiffness and improves flexibility.
3) It speeds up recovery time
Electrical muscle stimulation can reduce the recovery time for those who have had their muscles damaged due to surgeries or injuries. This is possible because of the improved blood circulation that results from muscle stimulation.
4) Helps with proprioception
Proprioception refers to a person’s ability to sense body movement. Electrical muscle stimulation improves proprioception, making the person more aware of their own actions and movements.
5) Increases bone density
Electrical muscle stimulation increases calcium absorption which in turn increases bone density and strength. This makes the bones much less likely to break or fracture due to falls or accidents.
6) Reduces muscle spasms and cramps
Electrical muscle stimulation helps with muscle spasms and cramps by increasing blood circulation which in turn increases oxygen flow.
7) Improves lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic system helps to remove excess fluid from the body. Electrical muscle stimulation improves this process, helping the body to get rid of toxins that can cause swelling and pain.
8) Prevents atrophy
Electrical muscle stimulation helps prevent the wasting of muscles by forcing them to contract and relax through electrical impulses which increases blood flow.
9) Reduces back pain
Back pain is often caused by poor posture or immobility, but muscle stim can improve these conditions by improving range of motion and allowing people to move freely without pain.
10) Helps with weight loss
Electrical muscle stimulation increases the amount of calories lost through metabolism, helping with weight loss or obesity management.
11) Improves sleeping patterns
Muscle stim improves sleep quality by reducing insomnia and increasing REM cycles that are associated with deep sleep. This is especially helpful for people with sleep apnea or insomnia.
12) Improves circulation
Electrical muscle stimulation helps increase blood flow which in turn improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues, organs, and cells throughout the body.
13) Reduces spasms in diabetics
Diabetic neuropathy is a condition that causes pain and tingling in hands and feet, which is often the result of poor circulation. Electrical muscle stimulation can improve blood flow, helping those with diabetes manage their pain.
14) Prevents osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle, making them prone to breaking or fracturing easily. Electrical muscle stimulation helps prevent this by increasing bone density.
15) Improves movement
Electrical stimulation improves joint mobility as well as muscle flexibility, helping with normal everyday movements such as walking or using the bathroom.
16) Reduces swelling
Electrical muscle stimulation has been proven to reduce swelling in patients who suffer from lymphedema, inflammation of soft tissue membranes and tissues that cause swelling due to fluid build-up.
17) Improves flexibility
Electrical muscle stimulation improves flexibility by increasing the range of motion in joints that are experiencing stiffness or immobility.
18) Reduces spasms
Spasms can cause pain and discomfort as well as limit mobility. Electrical muscle stimulation helps reduce spasticity, encouraging a full range of motion and helping people regain flexibility.
19) Prevents the loss of muscle
Electrical stimulation is effective at preventing the loss of muscle or atrophy in patients who are experiencing back injuries, surgery recovery, immobility due to illness or injury, and other medical conditions that cause muscle wasting or deficiency.
20) Improves lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic systems help the body to remove excess fluids from tissues and organs. Electrical muscle stimulation improves this process, helping the body to get rid of toxins that can cause swelling or pain.
21) Increases bone density
Electrical muscle stimulation increases calcium absorption which in turn increases bone density and strength. This makes the bones much less prone to fracture or breakage.
22) Improves sleep quality
Electrical muscle stimulation improves the quality of sleep by reducing insomnia and increasing REM cycles that are associated with deep sleep. This is especially helpful for those with sleep apnea or other types of insomnia.
23) Reduces pain in breast cancer patients
Electrical muscle stimulation has been proven to reduce pain for breast cancer patients. Breast cancer is a very painful condition, and muscle stim slows down the growth of tumors while reducing pain.
24) Improves walking accuracy
Electrical stimulation can improve walking by improving balance and control which in turn improves joint mobility and range of motion.
25) Helps treat carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the result of a pinched nerve in the wrists. This painful condition can cause hand numbness, weakness, and pain in the hands or arms. Electrical muscle stimulation helps reduce carpal tunnel symptoms while increasing blood flow to these affected areas.
26) Reduces inflammation
Inflammation is an immune response that occurs when tissues are injured or infected. Electrical muscle stimulation reduces inflammation and swelling in the affected areas.
27) Improves bladder control
Auto-control is an important part of normal bodily function, especially when dealing with things like bladder problems. Electrical muscle stimulation improves this process by increasing neuromuscular communication which helps improve voluntary control over muscles, organs, and other body parts.
28) Prevents deep vein thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis occurs when clots form in the major veins of the legs, arms, and pelvis. Electrical muscle stimulation helps prevent this condition by improving blood flow to the affected areas as well as allowing better circulation through peripheral vessels.
29) Increases bone mineral density
Electrical muscle stimulation is effective at increasing bone mineral density. As previously mentioned, this helps strengthen bones and reduces the risk of fracture or breakage. It also improves bone strength which in turn reduces the chances of them getting infected.
30) Improves body alignment
Some medical conditions can cause misalignment of different body parts such as the spine, feet, and ankles. Electrical muscle stimulation can improve body alignment by improving circulation as well as reducing inflammation and pain in affected areas.
31) Corrects pelvic tilts
Pelvic tilts are an imbalanced distribution of weight that causes the pelvis to tilt or lean out of place which in turn causes bones to shift and change position. Electrical stimulation helps correct pelvic tilt, dealing with the root of the issue and helping to prevent future issues from developing.
32) Reduces or reverses scoliosis
Scoliosis is a condition that causes spinal curvature or abnormal curvature of the vertebrae in the spine. Electrical muscle stimulation can help reduce or reverse this condition by improving muscle strength as well as balancing out the affected areas to improve spine alignment.
33) Improves balance and mobility
Electrical muscle stimulation helps improve neuromuscular communication which improves coordination, balance, and mobility in those who are suffering from medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease or other neurological disorders.
34) Improves posture
Posture is an important aspect of body alignment. Improper posture is often caused by muscle imbalances or misalignment which are both things that electrical stimulation can help with.
35) Helps treat pelvic floor disorders
Electrical stimulation helps prevent and relieve symptoms associated with pelvic floor disorders such as incontinence, infections, and prolapsed organs.
6 Disadvantages of Electrical Mmuscle Stimulation
Along with many benefits of the electrical muscle stimulation device, it has some drawbacks. The most common side effect of electrical muscle stimulation is discomfort, which can be managed by varying the voltage and frequency settings on the device.
Below are some other common side effects of electrical muscle stimulation:
1. Pain
Electrical muscle stimulation can be painful according to some users, especially for those who are new to electrical muscle stimulation therapy. This pain is often temporary and goes away with continued use of the device.
2. Pulsing sensation
Some users report feeling a pulsing sensation when they’re using an electrical muscle stimulation device. This is normal due to the pulsating nature of electricity, which in turn causes this tingly or pins-and-needles type of sensation when it hits the skin.
3. Skin damage
If you’re not careful when using an electrical muscle stimulation device, chances are you’ll end up damaging your skin in the process, causing irritation or burns to form on the area where the electrodes hit your skin. This can be prevented by taking precautions like regularly moisturizing and being gentle with your skin.
4. Skin discoloration
If you’re not careful when using an electrical muscle stimulation device, chances are you’ll end up damaging your skin in the process which can cause a darkening of skin tone to form on the area where the electrodes hit your skin. This will eventually fade over time after it has healed.
5. Skin irritation
Using an electrical muscle stimulation device can be irritating to the skin especially if you have sensitive or dry skin. Always make sure that you’re using something comfortable and that it doesn’t cause any type of irritation when using the muscles in your body to ensure optimum results.
6. Expensive
Electrical muscle stimulators can be expensive depending on the design and features of the device. Always do your research before buying one to ensure that you’re getting a high-quality product for your money.
In Conclusion
Since electrical muscle stimulation is relatively new in the medical field, a lot of research still needs to be conducted on its effectiveness and long-term side effects on the body.
If you plan to use this for a long time, talk to a doctor first. If it is not good for your body, then you should stop.
But in my opinion, electrical muscle stimulation is a good addition to your workout regime. If you want to buy one and try it yourself, I would recommend purchasing the TENS 700 Digital Unit Muscle Stimulator.
It’s been positively reviewed and is recommended for use as a pain-relieving device. It seems like the best option around right now.
