Beyond Pain Relief: Unlocking the Power of Electrical Stimulation for Muscle Strength and Performance

Using Various Types of Electrical Stimulation at Home for Pain Relief, Muscle Spasms, and Muscle Strengthening

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Believe it or not, electrical stimulation for muscle strength has been around for quite a while! 

Back in the day, like way back in the 1950s and 1960s, researchers started playing around with the idea of using electrical currents to make muscles stronger. 

But it wasn't until the 1970s that cool techniques like Russian Stim came into the scene and gained popularity, especially in sports and rehab. 

Since then, electrical stimulation has been used in all sorts of ways to boost muscle strength, improve athletic performance, and help with recovery from injuries or muscle-related issues.

As a physical therapist, I often recommend Electrical Stimulation therapies to my patients to use at home for pain relief, muscle spasms, and muscle strengthening.

Different types of E-stim can be highly effective in managing various conditions.

Four popular options are

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

• Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation (LVES)

• Interferential Current (IFC) electrical stimulation

In this article, I will explain what NMES, LVES, and IFC are, what conditions they can treat, and the benefits of using these therapies at home.

Brief Overview of Four Types of Electrical Stimulation

1.   TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): TENS is a non-invasive form of electrical stimulation used to alleviate pain by stimulating sensory nerves and blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. It uses a low-voltage electrical current delivered through electrodes placed on the skin near the area of pain.

2.   LVES (Low-Voltage Electrical Stimulation): LVES is a form of electrical stimulation that uses a low voltage current (less than 1 volt) to stimulate muscle fibers. It is commonly used in physical therapy to improve muscle strength, reduce muscle spasms, and prevent muscle atrophy.

3.   IFC (Interferential Current): IFC is a form of electrical stimulation that uses two high-frequency electrical currents intersecting at the pain site. This intersecting current creates a "beat frequency" that stimulates the nerves and helps to reduce pain and inflammation.

4.   NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation): NMES stimulates muscle contractions. It is commonly used in physical therapy to help restore muscle function after injury or surgery.

Each type of electrical stimulation device has unique features and different parameters that are useful for different therapeutic purposes.

Electrical stimulation parameters are:

• frequency

• pulse width

• intensity

• duration of treatment

• duration of on and off cycles

  Let’s dive deeper into these four types of E-stim and find out how they can help you.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

I have described TENS in detail in my post "Managing Pain with TENS Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide".

Let's expand on the specific TENS parameters. 

• TENS Frequency: 1 to 150 Hz. Lower frequencies (1 to 20 Hz) are usually used for acute pain relief, while higher frequencies (80 to 150 Hz) are commonly used for chronic pain.

• TENS Pulse Width: 50 – 250 microseconds.

• Traditional TENS uses higher frequency and short pulses.  Intensity should be high enough to produce a strong, yet comfortable, sensation. These settings help relieve pain by sending a “competing” signal to the brain. This phenomenon is known as Gate Control Theory.

• So-called “Acupuncture TENS” uses lower frequency (1-5 Hz) with longer pulses (200–250 microseconds), and greater intensity than traditional TENS resulting in strong sensation. This protocol helps stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers, that bind to the same receptors in the brain that opioids bind to and reduce pain.

 NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation)

NMES, also known as muscle stimulator or muscle stim, is a type of electrical stimulation that uses low-voltage electrical currents to stimulate the muscles.

NMES works by mimicking the natural electrical signals generated by the nerves to contract the muscles. This can help relieve pain, reduce muscle spasms, and improve muscle strength.

NMES is commonly used in physical therapy settings to rehabilitate injured muscles, improve muscle function in weakened muscles, and manage pain in various conditions.

The good news is that NMES devices are now available for home use, allowing you to continue your pain relief and muscle-strengthening routine in the comfort of your own home. These devices come with adhesive electrodes that are applied to the skin over the targeted muscles. Electric current, delivered through the electrodes, mimics nerve signals, causing the muscles to contract and relax, providing pain relief and muscle-strengthening benefits.

One of the key benefits of NMES is its ability to provide localized pain relief. By stimulating the nerves that control specific muscles, NMES can help to reduce pain in the targeted area. It can be particularly effective for conditions such as low back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, and other musculoskeletal problems.

NMES can also help reduce muscle spasms, common in muscle strains, imbalances, and overuse injuries.

When it comes to muscle strengthening, NMES can be a valuable tool for improving muscle function in weakened muscles. It can help to increase muscle strength, endurance, and coordination, which can be beneficial in post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injuries, and other conditions where muscle weakness is a concern.

Evidence shows that for optimal strengthening without too much muscle fatigue, the pulse duration should be between 400 – 600 microseconds. The optimal frequency lies between 30 and 50 Hz. Additionally, the Duty Cycle should use a 1:5 ratio of 10 seconds on and 50 seconds off to reduce muscle fatigue.

There is a variation of NMES called Russian Stim (first used by athletes in the former Soviet Union to improve athletic results).

The difference between NMES and Russian stim is that NMES uses lower-frequency rectangular waves while Russian Stim uses higher-frequency sinusoidal waveforms. Russian Stimulation (RS) uses a high-frequency alternating current with a carrier frequency of 2,500 Hz.

RS is often used in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings to help improve muscle strength and endurance.

 Low Voltage Electrical Stimulation (LVES)

LVES uses low-voltage electrical currents to stimulate the nerves and muscles, similar to NMES, but with a lower intensity. LVES is typically used for more gentle muscle stimulation and pain relief. It can be a suitable option for individuals who may have a lower tolerance to electrical stimulation or who prefer a more subtle sensation.

LVES devices for home use are also available, and they typically come with different settings and intensity levels, allowing you to customize the treatment according to your comfort level and specific needs. These devices usually come with reusable electrodes that can be placed on the skin over the targeted muscles or painful areas.

The benefits of LVES are similar to NMES but with a gentler approach. LVES can provide chronic pain relief, muscle spasm relief, and muscle strengthening benefits, although the intensity may be lower compared to NMES. LVES can be particularly useful for individuals with sensitive skin, lower pain tolerance, or those who prefer a milder electrical stimulation sensation.

IFC (Interferential Current)

IFC is a unique form of electrical stimulation that involves the use of two medium-frequency electrical currents that intersect and produce a therapeutic effect within the body. This can help to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

IFC is typically administered using specialized devices that have multiple channels and electrodes, allowing for precise placement and control of the electrical currents.

Can you use TENS with electrodes placed in a crossed pattern instead of IFC?

TENS and IFC's intensity and frequency settings are different, and the devices are NOT interchangeable for these treatments.

TENS typically uses a low-frequency range of 1-10 Hz, with pulse durations of 50-200 microseconds, and the intensity can be adjusted to a comfortable level for the patient. The goal of TENS is to block pain signals and provide temporary pain relief.

In contrast, IFC uses a higher frequency range of 4000-5000 Hz, with pulse durations of 125-250 microseconds. The two electrical currents used in IFC intersect at the site of pain, creating a "beat frequency" that helps reduce pain and inflammation. The intensity of the IFC treatment is typically higher than TENS.

It's important to note that TENS devices should not be used for an IFC-like treatment, as the devices are designed for specific purposes and have different settings. IFC devices require specialized equipment that delivers two separate electrical currents that are not found in a TENS device.

The price range for IFC devices for home use can vary depending on the brand, features, and quality of the device. Generally, IFC devices for home use can range from around $100 to $500 or more.

Higher-priced IFC devices may offer more advanced features such as multiple channels, adjustable frequency, and intensity settings, pre-set treatment programs, and larger display screens. Lower-priced devices may have fewer features but can still be effective for certain conditions.

What Are the Contraindications and Precautions to Electrical Stimulation?

Below are some general guidelines.

Remember, every situation is different. If in doubt, please consult your healthcare practitioner.

§     Pacemakers or implanted electronic devices

§     Uncontrolled high or low blood pressure

§     Deep Vein Thrombosis  - the risk of loosening blood clots

§     Cancer areas

§     Infection sites

§     Pregnancy (this one is controversial; generally speaking, avoid using E-stim over the uterus area)

§     Cognitive disorders – the person must be able to provide clear feedback

§     Seizures, epilepsy

Popular E-stim Devices for Home Use

Below are some modern E-stim Devices for home use. All of them come from reputable companies. The ones by TENSpros, iReliev, and Playmakar are combo units offering all 4 e-stim types in one device.

InTENSity™ Select Combo II - Rechargeable TENS, EMS, IF, & Russian Stim 4-in-1 Combo Device by TENSpros

This device gives you all 4 types of electrical stimulation in one very reasonably priced package. 

Each InTENSity™ Select Combo II unit comes with:

• 1 x InTENSity™ Pack of Premium Electrode Pads (4/pk)

• 2 x Deluxe Electrode Lead Wires

• 1 x Lithium Ion Battery (rechargeable)

• 1 x Wall & USB Charger

• 1 x Carrying Case

• 1 x Instruction Manual

• 1 x Quick Start Guide

 TENSpros offer

• Free Shipping on orders over $49

• $100 Low Price Guarantee

Tens X Pro by Oxiline

This device features 32 unique therapy variations, and thanks to its large, 5” backlit touchscreen display, it's easy to control and adjust during each session.

Each unit comes with:

·      (6) Elite-X™ Electrode Pads

·      (2) Channel Cables

·      Micro-USB Charger

·      Travel Pouch

·      User Manual

·      Lithium-Ion Built-in Rechargeable Battery (Includes charger)

 Oxiline offers

• Free Shipping

• Lifetime Warranty

• 30-day Money Back

Max Power Relief® TENS Unit by OMRON

This single-channel device features 9 pre-set modes and 14 intensity levels.

Each unit comes with

·      2 AAA batteries

·      Belt Clip

·      Pad Holder

·      Travel Case

·      Durable pads/electrodes

OMRON offers

• 1-year warranty on the unit

• 30-day warranty on the pads

• Free Extended Warranty (One additional year) if you buy the unit directly from them and register it

iRenew™ Premium TENS + EMS Device by iReliev

14 pre-set programs, including a designated Arthritis program

25 intensity levels

Rechargeable battery

What’s included:

• iRenew™ Plus TENS + EMS Device

• (4) 2″ x 2″ Electrode Pads

• (2) 3.5″ x 5″ Electrode Pads

• (2) Lead Wires

• AC Adapter and USB Charging Wire

• Belt Clip Holster

Bonus

• (4) 2″ x 2″ Electrode Pads

• (2) 3.5″ x 5″ Electrode Pads

iReliev offers

• 2-year Warranty

• Free Shipping

• 30-day Returns 

SPORT Muscle Stimulator by Playmakar

This EMS/TENS Combo comes with 10 pre-set programs: 6 for EMS and 4 for TENS.

What’s included:

·    PRO-500 Remote
·    Two 2X4 Large Snap Electrodes
·    Four 2X2 Small Snap Electrodes
·    Two Snap Lead Wires
·    Single USB Charger & Adapter
·    Tote Bag
·      Belt Clip Holster

 Playmakar offers

• 2-year Warranty

• Free Shipping

• 30-day Returns  

Conclusion

The benefits of using TENS, NMES, LVES, and IFC at home are numerous. These therapies can provide pain relief by stimulating the nerves and muscles, reducing muscle spasms, and promoting relaxation. They can also help improve muscle strength and tone, which can be beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries, or surgeries, or those with conditions that cause muscle weakness. Additionally, these home-use devices offer the convenience of being used in the comfort of one's own home, allowing for easy integration into the daily routine without the need for frequent visits to a clinic or hospital.

Disclaimer

Although we strive to provide the most accurate information possible, please note that all of the content found on ReliefSolutions4you.com, including text, audio, video, and/or other formats are provided for informational purposes only. The content on ReliefSolutions4you.com is not a substitute for professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always seek out the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider when seeking information for a medical condition or before engaging in physical training. The information on ReliefSolutions4you.com is not to be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your physician when starting a new physical training regimen and/or diet.