Do I Need Electric Muscle Stimulation?
Are you dealing with chronic pain? Do you find yourself unable to carry on with your Manhattan lifestyle due to joint discomfort? If so, electric muscle stimulation may be the answer.
Dr. Bobby Bilitsis at Prestige Health and Wellness says this therapy may improve muscle strength and functioning and aid with pain management. However, as with all therapies, it’s not the proper treatment for everyone. That’s why he recommends speaking with a professional to determine if it makes sense for you.
You may need electric muscle stimulation if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:
- Sciatica and nerve pain
- Post-surgical pain
- Muscle weakness
Continue reading to learn more about electric muscle stimulation, how it works, and whether this treatment can address the issues you’re facing.
What is Electric Muscle Stimulation?
Imagine you’re walking through the busy streets of New York when you find yourself at a standstill due to sciatica or joint pain. Electric muscle stimulation (EMS) can help alleviate pain and other symptoms of soreness and cramping by applying gentle electrical currents through the skin. This treatment is used to mimic the natural contraction of muscles and may help to improve blood flow while stimulating muscle fibers or nerves.
How Does Electric Muscle Stimulation Work?
With more than 51.6 million people in the country suffering from chronic pain, pain management is always a widely discussed topic. If you find that you’re one of those people and are looking to get back to your Manhattan routine without the discomfort, EMS might help you get back on the right track. But what can you expect with this treatment?
A physical therapist or another professional will need to use a special EMS device to perform the therapy. They’ll clean the areas they’re looking to target and then place electrode pads on those identified muscles or muscle groups. They’ll then use the EMS device to deliver gentle electrical currents to stimulate involuntary muscle contractions. You can expect one session of EMS therapy to last between 5 and 30 minutes. In addition, the intensity used may vary, as it ultimately depends on your individual needs and goals.
Research has shown that EMS treatment is beneficial, especially regarding its capacity to improve muscle force-generating ability. This can help widely improve muscle strength and function, as well as help deal with muscle pain, prevent muscle atrophy, and more.
It’s often used to alleviate symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with injury, post-surgery healing, and many other conditions. This therapy is also frequently utilized in athletic training, as it can help improve body composition and increase physical strength.
What Conditions Does Electric Muscle Stimulation Treat?
Electric muscle stimulation can treat a variety of conditions. If you find yourself dealing with discomfort, pain, and weakness, speaking with a Prestige Health and Wellness provider can help you learn more about the benefits of electric muscle stimulation. Some of the medical conditions commonly treated with this procedure include:
Sciatica
Sciatica pain affects the sciatica nerve, which runs along the lower back through one or both legs. This type of pain can develop from injury or pressure on the nerve and include symptoms such as:
- Mild to sharp pain in the back, buttocks, hips, and legs
- Difficulty walking
- Muscle weakness
- Pins and needles feeling in the legs
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops due to a pinched nerve in the wrist. Failing to treat carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to muscle damage in the hand and fingers, so patients should seek treatment when noticing indicators like:
- Pain in the hands, wrist, or forearm
- Numbness or tingling in the fingers
- Hand weakness
- Stiffness
Tendonitis
This condition describes an inflammation of the tendons, which help to connect muscles to bones in the body. Tendonitis is often referred to as an overuse or repetitive strain injury, and you will notice symptoms that include:
- Pain in the affected tendon with movement
- Limited range of motion
- Swelling
- Muscle weakness
Seek Pain Relief with Electric Muscle Stimulation in Manhattan
If you want to see if electric muscle stimulation is the best treatment for you and if your insurance covers it, please contact us at 212-393-4673 or book an appointment today.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our locations in Manhattan NYC:
