E-STIM THERAPY

By Melinda Burris Willms

      Advancements in medical science have brought new physical therapy treatments, in part in response to concerns regarding the overuse and subsequent addiction to opioid pain relievers. One such alternative therapy for muscle weakness or pain, some acute and chronic pain conditions, inflammation, and fastier healing of wounds is electrical stimulation or e-stim for short.

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WHAT EXACTLY IS E-STIM?

E-stim involves sending low amounts of electrical current through the skin to imitate the signals neurons from your body’s nervous system naturally send to the muscles and nerves. By mimicking these neuron signals through electrical pulses, injured muscles can be stimulated, and nerves can be desensitized to pain.¹

When utilized for muscle recovery, e-stim therapy targets specific muscles, sending them neuron signals to contract. Contracting muscles repetitively increases blood flow, which in turn, assists in the healing of injured muscles.¹

E-stim treatment for pain relief relies on the electrical current sending the neuron signals to the nerves, blocking pain receptors from receiving messages from the brain.¹ When effective, this stops patients from feeling pain and negates the need for addictive pain killers.

WHY E-STIM IS USED

Physical therapists are more frequently turning to e-stim as an effective technique for treating patients with painful inflammation conditions and to treat weak or malfunctioning muscles by forcing the muscles to contract and relax as they naturally should. E-Stim has also demonstrated positive results when used to alleviate spasms and other painful medical conditions.² As with any medical procedure, the risks and benefits will vary depending on the patient, but many individuals find that e-stim offers a painless option that boosts recovery time and alleviates pain and discomfort.¹

WHO COULD POSSIBLY BENEFIT FROM E-STIM THERAPY?

E-stim is being used for a wide variety of medical conditions. Some that will be of particular interest to athletes include treatment for tendonitis, bursitis, and muscle weakness or poor functionality.²

HOW A PT SESSION WITH E-STIM WORKS

If in consultation with your medical professional you decide to include e-stim as part of your physical therapy routine, the procedure will involve the following:

• The body part where the electrodes that will conduct the electrical currents through the skin will be exposed and the electrodes applied.²
• These electrodes are connected by wires to the e-stim machine.²
• As the electrical pulses are sent through the skin, it is normal to feel a tingling sensation.² This sensation should feel strong but should never feel painful; if you begin to feel discomfort, immediately notify your physical therapist.²
• When receiving treatment to alleviate pain or treat muscle spasms, no action is required on your part; if you are being treated to address muscle weakness or malfunction, you may be asked to contract the affected muscle as you receive the electrical stimulation.²
• If the e-stim is being used to improve muscular strength or function, you may be required to contract your muscle as the machine is working.²

PRIMARY FORMS OF E-STIM

There are various forms of e-stim therapy, but the two most commonly used kinds are known as TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and EMS (electrical muscle stimulation). TENS is used for acute and chronic pain management. In TENS, the electrical pulses are used to send signals through nerve fibers that either entirely block or at least minimize the pain signals the brain receives.¹

EMS is the form of e-stim that concentrates on causing muscle contractions to increase muscle strength. EMS works by triggering rhythmic contractions; when the patient reciprocates this action by attempting to contract the affected muscle along with the machine, the muscle strength can be improved.¹

ADDITIONAL E-STIM THERAPIES

With e-stim treatment, the focus is on reducing pain and accelerating the rate of healing. These factors obviously make e-stim therapy popular among athletes seeking quick relief from injuries as well as patients in general searching for ways to deal with painful health conditions. While EMS and TENS are the most frequently used forms of e-stim, there are other varieties of e-stim treatments that a physician or physical therapist might suggest based on the specifics of the individual symptoms and the ailment. Additional forms of e-stim include:

• ESTR refers to electrical stimulation for tissue repair and is the form of e-stim used to ease painful swelling, improve blood circulation, and accelerate wound healing.¹
• Like TENS, interferential current or IFC, concentrates on sending electrical signals to the nerves to alleviate and manage pain.¹ IFC is often the e-stim treatment of choice for muscle spasms, treatment of lower back pain, and to increase blood flow to a specific group of muscles or tissues.²
• Iontophoresis is utilized to assist in accelerating wound healing by sending ionically charged medication to the tissue surrounding the injury.¹ If iontophoresis is recommended for you, it will be administered by a physical therapist who specializes in wound care.²
• In addition to aiding in wound care, iontophoresis is effective in medication delivery for disorders such as shoulder calcific tendonitis.²

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH E-STIM THERAPY

As with any medical procedure there are risks involved with e-stim therapy; these include minor things such as skin irritation to more serious risks like tissue burn and muscle tears. Skin irritation can be treated by ceasing treatment and applying lotion to the skin. Tissue burn and muscle tears occur when e-stim is applied with too much intensity; so again, it is imperative that you let your physical therapist know if you begin to feel discomfort during the course of your treatment. The electrical pulse can feel strong but should never cause discomfort or pain. In case of tissue burn, treatment should cease, and skin care be given immediately. Symptoms of muscle tear include severe muscle pain. If this occurs, let your physical therapist know immediately and e-stim treatment should be stopped right away. Treatment for the muscle tear, which should include rest, applying ice to the affected area, and keeping the limb elevated, should begin immediately.²

References

1. Healthline. (2005-2020). Is E-Stim the Answer to Your Pain?
2. Inverarity, L. (25 Nov. 2019). How Electrical Stimulation Is Used in Physical Therapy.

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