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Benefits of Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Chiropractors use a plethora of modalities to help treat their patients on a daily basis. Electrical Muscle Stimulation or “Stim” as we call it in our office, is commonly used on our patients. We use it either before or after a chiropractic adjustment, depending on the case, to help stimulate specific muscles. Sometimes these muscles are strained and need assistance to relax or a patient has tightness in an area and stim can calm the region of application. In essence, stim treats symptoms of pain, decreases muscle spasms and aids in overall muscle recovery. For patients that experience chronic pain, stim can even block pain receptors and provide patients a form of relief that is not medication based. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of electrical muscle stimulation.

Benefits of Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Stim works by sending small electrical pulses to muscles where electrodes are applied. Determination of electrode application comes after proper practitioner evaluation for what a patient is being treated for. Electrodes are carefully placed onto a patient’s skin and then muscle contraction occurs. Stim also works to boost the body’s production of endorphins which are natural pain relievers. In terms of range of motion recovery and mobility increase, stim is an effective tool for patients. Muscles are retrained to engage with the body’s regular neurological pathways and create strength gains by enduring repeated contraction. For muscles that have lost tone due to lack of use, stim can effectively help increase tone deficiencies when used on a consistent basis.

What conditions can stim help with? Common areas such as the neck and back receive stim and this modality is not limited here. Any musculoskeletal condition, area of injury, or overall inflammation can definitely benefit from stim. Stim lasts for approximately ten minutes at our office and a patient then has ice applied to further help decrease any possible inflammation. Patients commonly ask what a good level of stim is for treatment. We say that “higher is not better” and “you want a level of intensity that is comfortable and not painful.” Having stim be at the strongest intensity and elicit discomfort for the patient has no therapeutic benefit.

As a safety precaution, we never use stim on a patient who is pregnant, has a pacemaker or any electrical implanted devices where the current can be disturbed with stim. Stim is a wonderful therapy but not a replacement for traditional chiropractic care. It is a popular modality at our practice and quite beneficial to the healing process.

The Van Ness Chiropractic Difference

At Van Ness Chiropractic, we realize that managing stress and imbalance in the body is not one size fits all. We have the clinical knowledge and expert staff to offer treatment that is both effective and empowering.  Call us today at 847-842-8070 to set up your appointment for a comprehensive examination and get on the road to health today.  You can also visit us at vannesschiro.com to find out more.