What is a Muscle Stimulator

by Mitchell J. Reiff

CEO/President

Medical Products Online, Inc.

Introduction to Muscle Stimulation

Indications Neuromuscular stimulation should be used only under medical supervision for adjunctive therapy in the treatment of medical diseases and conditions.

Neuromuscular Stimulation (N.M.E.S) is the application of an electrical stimulus for use in muscle rehabilitation.

An electrical stimulus is passed from the device to an electrode that is placed on the skin over the motor point of a targeted muscle or muscle group. This stimulation results in a muscle contraction. By assisting patients to fully contract a muscle or muscle group, N.M.E.S can move a patient more quickly towards normal function and the resumption of their normal activities.

Muscle Stimulation is indicated for use in:

·        The retardation or prevention of disuse atrophy (wasting of muscle due to lack of use)

·        Muscle re-education, such as after surgery or trauma •Relaxation of a muscle spasm

·        Prevention of deep Venous Thrombosis (blood clots due to inactivity) immediately after surgery

·        Maintaining or increasing the range of motion

·        Increasing local blood flow 

A wide range of neurological and orthopedic diagnoses will benefit from the use of Muscle Stimulator.

Some of the most common uses include:

·        Rehabilitation after knee surgery

·        Traumatic injury

·        Shoulder rehabilitation

·        CVA (stroke)

Muscle Stimulators are user friendly and safe to be used by the patient at home. It therefore offers the patient a self-management option -- a desirable aspect of any treatment program since this has been shown to increase patient compliance and response to treatment.

After the initial cost of purchasing a Muscle Stimulators device, the replacement of batteries and electrodes are the main running costs. In long-standing cases of pain, this is cheaper than regular prescriptions for analgesics.

The precautions and contradictions associated with Muscle Stimulator are few and largely based on common sense. In addition, side-effects are minimal (i.e. skin irritation)

The application of a Muscle Stimulation device requires Proper patient selection, electrode placement, parameters selection and patient education contributes to the successful use of these devices.

Muscle Stimulator devices are non-addictive.

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