Electronic Muscle Stimulation

Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

We will discuss two different types of electronic muscle stimulation equipment. The first is a procedure that sends electrical current to muscle and fatty tissue. The second is the use of a “massage like” piece of equipment.

Physicians have utilized electronic muscle stimulation using approved devices for some time. They are a legitimate process approved for specific conditions. Some of those conditions are:

• Increase blood circulation
• Prevent blood clots
• Relax muscle spasms
• And rehabilitate muscle function after a stroke

Providers of electronic muscle stimulation equipment for consumer use will tell you that the process will:

• Reduce breast size
• Remove wrinkles
• Do face lifts
• Reduce bellies
• Remove cellulite

There is no clinical evidence that proves such claims, but we will endeavor to briefly explain how this process works according to the providers. The premise is that using electronic muscle stimulation, the brain sends a nerve impulse to the “motor point” of the muscle you desire to change.

This signal is a message to the muscle to expand and contract. Electrodes are placed on specific motor points of the muscle group(s) to be exercised. When the electrical stimulation is applied through the electrodes using a mild current the muscle will expand and contract.

The theory is that this makes it possible to duplicate regular exercise without the effort using conventional means. During your conventional exercise, your brain is sending messages down the spinal cord through the nerves with the muscles you are using, causing them to relax and contract. Your brain is controlling the muscle using what is called voluntary muscle action.

Electronic muscle stimulation uses the outside electrical source to stimulate the nerves and send signals to your muscle to expand and contract. It send an electrical current through adhesive electrodes creating the expansion and contraction. This would be considered involuntary muscle action. It is believed by some that electronic muscle stimulation stimulates large nerve axons, or long outgrowths of a nerve cell body.

Some of these cannot be stimulated voluntarily so the logic is that electronic muscle stimulation might allow for increased development of tissue by enlarging it without multiplying cells. The second piece of equipment is a “massage like” device. We will not mention the name as it is trademarked and it is not our intent to provide advertising for any specific method of equipment.

They claim to have the first FDA approved device for temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite. The process is what they term a “subdermal” approach for temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite. It consists of a hand held motorized device with two adjustable rollers and suction which creates a symmetrical skin-fold.

They state that, “the skin gently folds and unfolds under the continuous action of the rollers allowing for smooth and regulated deep tissue mobilization. As the viscosity of the subcutaneous fat layer decreases, blood flow and lymphatic drainage increase, facilitating the elimination of excess fluid and metabolites, while improving overall cellular function.”

This is supposed to help you to reduce cellulite and probably brew your morning coffee!

All joking aside, if not used properly these electronic muscle stimulation devices can produce harmful effects. Because they border on “snake oil salesman” techniques in their advertising and claims, our suggestion is to go ahead and research them but buyer beware.

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