Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulators ( TENS unit - TNS unit - Pain Machine) are small, battery powered devices that are worn on the body and emit up to 150 electrical impulses per second to control pain. The devices were widely prescribed during the 1980’s by physical therapists and medical doctors as a last means of helping the chronic pain patient. There was generally a trial period for each patient to determine if the tens unit would provide relief sufficient to justify daily, continuous use and/or purchase by an insurance company.

The big drawback was the unit was only effective if the patient was wearing it and upon turning the pain machine off the pain quickly returned. It was used for symptomatic relief, not curative relief. Constant usage also meant constant need for the electrodes which were/are a continuing cost.

Today interferential pain machines are supplanting tens unit for one simple reason, carryover pain relief. An interferential unit only requires a patient to do a 20 - 40 minute treatment possibly going from 2x daily to as little an once per month to stop the pain transmission. The machine emit up to 8,150 impulses per second, which is considerably more than a simple tens unit. This is changing the way chronic pain patients are being treated.



The carryover, or residual, pain relief is lasting for days/weeks and apparently is changing the underlying chemical composition of pain stimulus so the treatment is becoming curative, not treating the symptom of pain. Interferential patients are needing only 4 - 8 electrodes per month due to the infrequent use and this is saving pain patients and insurance companies enough to justify the higher cost of the interferential unit up front, but not as costly as continuous operation of a tens unit.

The electric muscle stimulator claims to help you increase muscle tone while you do absolutely nothing. Undoubtedly, this is an appealing prospect, but can it possibly work and, if so, how?

How Long Has the Electric Muscle Stimulator Been Around?

Believe it or not, the first scientific research to prove the ability of electricity to stimulate muscle movement came back in 1791. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, this topic fascinated scientists, who identified the exact properties of electricity that stimulated muscles and showed that this could affect long-term alterations to the muscle exposed to electric impulses.

However, it was not until the 1960s, when the Soviet Union began using an electric muscle stimulator to train its athletes that the notion of using this technique to create ‘the body beautiful’ began.

The Science

So, how does it work? Well, electric muscle stimulation (EMS) is the delivery of electric impulses into the muscles via electrodes (pads placed over the muscles). The electricity mimics what is known as the action potential, which in natural circumstances would come from the central nervous system, and causes the muscle or muscles to contract.

The effect of this procedure is different depending on the fiber type of the muscle being treated and the method of treatment. However, it is believed that under the correct circumstances EMS may increase the strength of a muscle, improve muscle endurance and fatigue resistance.

Are EMS Products Safe?

In the U.S., EMS products are approved by the FDA, Food and Drug Administration, and are certified in two categories: over-the-counter products that you could go out and buy today, and prescription products that are designed for treating a medical condition and must be used under supervision.

Typically, an electric muscle stimulator is perfectly safe. However, in accordance with FDA guidelines, all products must carry literature about the possible side effects and the danger for certain groups of people, for example, those with pacemakers.

Should You Buy an EMS Product?

Consumer opinion over these products is divided. Many will state that EMS did nothing for them, whereas others claim to have noticed a marked difference. However, this may come down to the effectiveness of individual products, the method of use and the age of the user, because all of these factors will affect the success of the product. If you are interested in purchasing an electric muscle stimulator, it is advisable to research the specific brand and seek the opinion of fellow customers.

There is published work documenting the benefits of EMS in sports training, but it wise to remember that this is based on the most sophisticated equipment available and is coupled with workout routines.

Obviously, in some instance, electric muscle stimulators are effective. However, it is worth mentioning that these products are by no means necessary. In fact, you are likely to achieve better results with a few sit-ups every day and they will not cost you a penny.

Remember, when it comes to fitness and weight loss, quick fixes rarely live up to expectation.

Looking to pack on some serious muscle mass? Do you want to build a ripped, rock-solid physique that demands respect and turns heads wherever you go? Then you have come to the right place. In this article I am going to introduce you with one single solution that will help you achieve that powerful body quicker than you ever fancy.

With thousands of muscle building options available in stores and online it is virtually impossible to make a particular choice. Well, look no further, we introduce you to the most advanced product, the Electrical muscle stimulator (EMS), designed to give quicker and better results.

Electronic Muscle Stimulator is a revolutionary muscle exercise device serviceable at home or gym. Muscle Stimulators cause your muscles to contract and relax on their own. You don’t have to do anything except hook up the electrodes to your body and turn the device on. A series of electrical signals will be sent to your muscles causing them to contract and relax.

Our Electronic Muscle Stimulator systems are portable, lightweight electronic units that have been scientifically designed and proven to exercise body muscles fast, efficiently & effectively through a series of stimulated contraction & relaxation phases. For years Soviet and Eastern block Olympic contenders have used muscle stimulators to build the same rippling muscles that steroids promised. Now this same muscle stimulation technology is available for you.

The most obvious benefit is cutting your workout time in 1/2. Your muscles will get stronger in no time. Most people see visible results within seven days. You will actually be sore the next day immediately following your first 30-minute AB workout. Being sore the next day just as if you had been through an intense gym workout. Clinical studies have shown that 30 minutes with an RX-8000 Electronic muscle simulator is equivalent to 500 sit up crunches.

Electronic Muscle Stimulator (EMS) or Neuromuscular Stimulator (NMS) is a useful tool for prevention or retardation of muscle spasm, muscle re-education, maintaining and increasing the range of motion, and increasing local blood circulation. Common candidates for EMS Stimulator include those in high stress situations experiencing muscle tension in the upper back and neck areas, and those who suffer from chronic tension headaches.

Muscle stimulators are recommended for anyone participating in bodybuilding, power lifting, martial arts, boxing, and athletics or for people simply wishing to achieve an athletic physique. The majority of our customers are buying muscle stimulators for cutting up their abs, achieving ripped abs, six pack abs, or simply toning their bodies.

The medical community has made great strides in developing innovative treatment methods for patients suffering an injury that requires rehabilitation of the muscle tissues. Injuries can result from a sports related event, an accident that requires the need for physical therapy, or an injury resulting from a daily activity. One therapeutic treatment that has become popular in treating physical injuries is Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

Electrical muscle stimulation, also referred to as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), or electromyostimulation, is used for the prevention of muscle spasms and muscle atrophy, increasing local blood circulation by stimulating muscle tissue, strengthening the muscle tissue to promote healing, maintaining or increasing the range of motion, muscle re-education, and the stimulation of calf muscles to prevent venous thrombosis

How EMS Works
EMS uses an electrical current to stimulate your muscles. The electrical pulse stimulates the nerves to generate a natural muscle contraction. This is known as passive exercise. EMS devices produce electrical signals that stimulate the nerves. The impulses are produced by an electrical device and delivered through electrodes placed on the skin near the muscles that require stimulation. By placing the pads near a certain group of muscles, and then sending the impulses using the EMS device, the muscles will begin to contract and relax. The impulses imitate the impulses produced by the brain to stimulate muscle tissue. The contractions that results from stimulation are much like muscle contractions during regular exercise. The voltage for different pressure points on the muscle can be adjusted according to need. The result of stimulation is the repairing and strengthening of muscles.

EMS devices help stimulate muscle tissue that may not be affected by regular exercise routines. They will stimulate damaged muscle tissues resulting in restoring, toning, and strengthening of the damaged tissue. The pulses stimulate the tissue fibers to certain degrees and patterns which decreases muscle degeneration caused by nerve atrophy.

Advantages of Using EMS Devices
Most rehabilitation clinics use EMS devices because of their healing qualities. When using EMS, the repair process is much faster because nerve and muscle tissue are able to recover more quickly. Stimulation is sufficient to initiate repair of the muscle. When the muscle tear heals, the patient can continue with the next step in the rehabilitation process. Therefore, the patient’s rehabilitation time is shorter. The method is much less painful. It can also be relaxing because much of the pain is alleviated. As well, the relief can last for some time after the session is complete.

The FDA mandates that manuals display contraindications, warnings, precautions and adverse reactions. This includes: no use for wearers of pacemakers; no use on critical body parts, such as carotid sinus nerves, across the chest, or across the brain; caution in the use during pregnancy, menstruation, and other conditions that may be affected by muscle contractions. Possible adverse effects can include skin irritations and burns

More hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and sport clinics are using Electronic Muscle Simulators, or EMS devices. Their use is growing particularly in the athlete community. The beneficial results have attracted the attention of many in the medical community. General Practitioners are now seeing the benefits of using EMS on their patients. EMS devices can also be found in gyms and in homes to help people recover quicker from a muscle injury. Most people who have received EMS treatment find the process constructive and comforting. Because it speeds up the rehabilitation process, patients will find themselves saving money. Electronic muscle simulators are a great way to encourage muscle healing, control pain, and strengthen the muscles.

1. Understanding the Basics
Electronic muscle stimulation (EMS) uses small electrical charges to zap muscles and make them contract and relax automatically. Pads that contain electrodes, connected by wires to a small control unit, are attached to the body and deliver the charges. The theory is that this helps heal damaged muscles and helps strengthen normal muscles without active exercise. EMS is, in fact, widely used by trainers to help athletes rehabilitate after an injury. But, in recent years EMS has exploded on the retail market as the way to sit-back-and-relax while you develop killer abs and lose weight.

2. Medical Uses of EMS
EMS is often used in rehabilitation following surgery or injury. Muscles quickly lose their strength and tone when they are not used. EMS helps patients who can’t move around during recovery regain some muscle tone. Because EMS causes muscles to contract and relax without the patient’s own effort, it keeps the injured muscles active. It’s a kind of “heal as you sleep” method. For pain control, doctors and physical therapists may use a similar device, known as a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) unit.

3. The FDA Regulates EMS
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is quite interested in electronic muscle stimulators. They watch television just like the rest of us. And, when EMS sales became a multi-billion dollar business, the FDA decided to take a serious look. They’re skeptical about the “rock hard abs” and other claims. But, their main concern is safety. EMS devices that have not been approved by the FDA may be a hazard. Electrical leads might cause shocks or even electrocution. EMS devices might also interfere with other medical devices, like pacemakers. Most FDA-approved devices are intended for use by physical therapists. In fact, the FDA website lists only one EMS device (out of the dozens advertised on television) that has met the FDA requirements. So, “let the buyer beware.”

4. EMS and Weight Loss
Nothing sounds better than kicking up your feet, throwing in your favorite movie, and enjoying a little pizza and beer. If you can do that and lose weight at the same time it would be sheer heaven. But, heaven on earth is sometimes hard to find. Infomercials would have you believe the pizza and beer weight loss plan is reality. But, studies show EMS won’t really help you lose weight. The “passive exercise” you get from EMS just isn’t enough for weight loss.

5. EMS is Not a Quick Fix
The bottom line is that EMS has some terrific uses. But, it’s just not the quick and easy fix that TV commercials make it out to be. It’s definitely helpful for rehab after surgery and injury. But, the “six-pack abs” you’re after will require more effort on your part. EMS can help–a little. EMS will help add some tone to your muscles, but the real muscle building will only come through good, old-fashioned hard work.

Source: livestrong.com

Electronic Muscle Stimulation devices, as called EMS devices, are frequently used by those wishing to build muscle tone. There are several benefits associated with these devices when used in combination with exercise. They cannot work on their own, but when you work out you can actually enhance the effects of an EMS device. That has made this device a must amongst bodybuilders in order to enhance what they are doing with the weights.

The benefits

EMS devices have become so popular because they have so many benefits that they offer those who enjoy working out. They make working out more bearable and they make the results more evident.

The benefits of EMS devices are as follows:

• The nerves and muscles recover faster from exercise if you use your EMS device directly after exercise. So yes, it is safe to use right after exercising. It is actually ideal to use these devices before and after exercise.

• Strength, muscle growth, and endurance are improved when it is used before and after exercise. Certain muscles groups are strengthened and that also makes exercising an easier task. As you use the device and exercise, you will notice that you are able to endure higher resistance over time.

• An EMS device can stimulate the muscle tissue that is not influenced by exercising. There are certain parts of the body not influenced by exercise, so an EMS device can be a great way to make sure that every part of the body is reached.

Just know that an EMS device is not going to give you six pack abs in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, six packs are not free in any form. However, an EMS minimizes the damage that happens during exercise. This helps you tone your body and have the muscle structure you always wanted. In other words, you can have the body of a young God or Goddess by using an EMS device as part as your exercise routine.

EMS devices are also used for those with health conditions that cause muscle atrophy. By hooking up to an EMS device, they are delaying that atrophy, therefore extending the amount of time in which they can use those muscles. This is great for both physical and mental reasons because the quality of life can be improved greatly.

Precautions

There are some precautions that have to be taken when using an EMS device. These are standard precautions and it is good if you know what they are so you can safely use the device to its fullest. Those precautions include:

• Not using the EMS device during pregnancy.
• Not using the EMS device when you have a heart condition. This means no use when a pacemaker is involved because it can result in interference.
• Not using the device if you have epilepsy.
• Not allowing the device to be used by children. The only reason why children should use an EMS device is if it is recommended by a doctor.
• Not using the device during menstruation because it can cause severe stomach cramps.

Just remember that an EMS device is not a substitute for a good cardiovascular workout. If so, then everyone would be in great shape without having to exercise. So if it sounds too good to be true, it is. Your EMS device is meant to be a supplement to your exercise routine to prep your muscles and to repair your muscles faster after exercise. These two aspects alone can help you maximize your exercise routine so that you can achieve the finest of results.

Source: content4reprint.com

Using electronic muscle stimulators for body building provides nerve and flexor training for the muscles and seems to allow the muscle tissue to grow at a rate comparable to simple exercise. However, with the stimulators the body goes without the after-pain associated with strenuous weight training exercises. In this way the electronic muscle stimulators can help the body building enthusiast to better control the level of pain that is felt after a workout. Some people with problem areas such as sore shoulder muscles can use the stimulators to help alleviate the pain before the next session of exercising.

The same applies to anyone looking to lose weight with electronic muscle stimulator use. While the stimulator may help to alleviate the pain sometimes associated with weight loss exercising, the unit itself will most likely have very little to do with actual weight loss. However, by helping the person control any pain associated with the exercising, the stimulator may, in fact, help these people to exercise more. They will then have a better chance at losing more weight.

Electronic muscle stimulators have been thoroughly proven to help with physical therapy where nerve and muscle damage has occurred. Many therapists highly recommend the use of these units when their patients routinely complain of sore muscles during and after exercise workouts, or have some form of nerve damage that prevents them from getting the most out of life.

The effective use of these electronic muscle stimulators depends a lot on the type of patient and the nerve or muscle damage they may be suffering from. In general use, the stimulator units can be used easily by the patients themselves after only a few minutes of training. In this way, the patients control the amount of voltage used and the rhythm cycle that controls the rate of muscle contractions. Many health spas and gyms have electronic muscle stimulators on hand to help alleviate any sudden pain or muscle spasms that their customers may have while exercising. It’s fairly easy to become adept at using these units and many people swear by the relief that these units give them from their muscle and nerve pain.

Many manufacturers of these electronic muscle stimulators are quick to point out the safety and value of their products when it comes to weight loss or muscle building. How would a company stay in business if it didn’t promote its own products? Many federal departments have done exhaustive tests on these electronic muscle stimulators and have found that very few of them do anything at all in the way of weight loss. The results from using one of these units for weight loss is comparable to not using one at all, proving that the units are ineffective at best. In fact, they may end up being harmful if overused to stimulate out-of-shape muscle and fat tissue. Because the stimulators contract the muscles, many people believe that this motion causes the body to lose weight, but it is simply not true.

Source: streetdirectory.com

Electronic muscle stimulators, or EMS devices, are electronic devices that stimulate the muscles. Many bodybuilders use them to speed up muscle repair after a strenuous workout. When they have worked out hard, they get microscopic tears in their muscles and it is the healing of those tears that allows their muscle mass to grow. This would explain why EMS systems are commonly used in preventing muscle atrophy in those who are physically disabled.

For a person who has a disease or has been in an accident that prohibits them from using certain muscles, those muscles will begin to deteriorate over time. You may notice someone with atrophy in their legs have legs that are smaller than they should be. This is because the muscle is deteriorating away. Along with that muscle mass goes the strength. Although they may not be able to use the atrophied muscles anyway, it is healthier to prolong or altogether prevent the atrophy from occurring.

Other reasons to prevent atrophy

Another reason in which EMS systems are used to prevent muscle atrophy is the fact that there have been medical breakthroughs that have enabled individuals who have not been able to use their muscles for years to suddenly use them. People who could not so much as stand are standing, so it was important to keep the muscles stimulated. Even if there is no hope of a person being able to utilize those muscles, they still need to be stimulated since medical breakthroughs are happening every single day. One just never knows when they’re going to be notified of a new development, so their muscles have to be primed and ready to go.

How an EMS system works

EMS systems involve having more than one electrode placed upon the skin. From there, small electronic pulses are emitted, usually by the push of a button. These pulses cause the muscles to contract. The contraction is similar to what is received when exercising. This is the very contraction that is needed to keep the muscles stimulated. It is true that an EMS system can’t be connected all of the time, but it is great to have that available at a certain point or at points during the day to make sure the muscles get that bit of “exercise” that they need.

As for the effectiveness, EMS systems are quite effective, which is why so many individuals own them for various different reasons. As stated before, bodybuilders own them to help them in their bodybuilding routines. There are even some who use them to relieve muscle pain. The best way to relieve pain is by stimulating the muscle so that it can heal. If you’ve ever heard the saying, “Work it out,” then you understand how an EMS system can do this. These are all reasons why doctors prescribe them to be used for those with such conditions as Muscular Dystrophy, for paraplegics, and for those who have encountered severe injuries that have resulted in severe muscle damage.

Luckily, EMS systems are not an incredibly high investment. Many individuals are able to afford them and every individual can invest in the device that fits their particular needs. Certain ones give off a certain voltage, are different colors, different sizes, come with more or less electrodes, etc. Some may come with one type of electrode while others come with electrodes specially designed for different areas of the body. But again, they are not very expensive, making EMS systems an easily accessible treatment method for anyone. Anyone with a muscle disorder or injury should invest in an EMS system to improve the quality of their life and to keep up a healthy appearance.

Source:content4reprint.com

Exercise has a place in the lives of everyone. With some adequate research and experimentation you can find the right exercise program for you. I was fortunate enough to find my exercise of choice as a teenager and excelled in martial arts and in weight lifting. It changed my life, even now. I believe that it’s vitally important to find an exercise that works for you as early in your life as possible.

Have you discovered your favorite activity yet? In many ways, it doesn’t matter what fitness activity you like, it’s more important that you work hard to build muscle mass, improve your fitness level while having fun at the same time. If you start life sitting on the couch all the time, your body won’t get the activity it needs to help you grow and mature into a healthy adult. If you are still looking for some kind of exercise regime, consider the electric muscle stimulator.

Perhaps you’ve seen an electric muscle stimulator before. Maybe you’ve seen one on television. In fact, there’s a scene in the movie “Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story” in which the main character, Bruce Lee, has an electric muscle stimulator strapped to his chest. In the movie, he comments that the stimulator felt like the equivalent of doing two hundred push-ups. My own experience with the electric muscle stimulator is limited to watching the move but I’ve heard many good things about them.

I’ve been told that such devices actually do work. The stimulator sends a small electrical shock through the skin to the muscle tissue and causes a muscle contraction. The contraction of the muscle causes the muscle to be more toned, just like when an individual does real exercises. The muscle contraction is mild, however, and I can’t believe that using such a device does the same thing as lifting weights or using a weight machine.

The ideal candidate for an electric muscle stimulator would be someone who has been injured and can’t exercise by any other means. Are you one of those types of people? Think about the possibility of strapping one of those machines on and letting the machine tone your muscles while you’re healing from an injury. You wouldn’t get the cardiovascular fitness component but it may keep your muscles toned until you recover.

If you’re interested in this type of exercise machine, do a search for one on the Internet so you can compare prices and styles. It’s possible you’ll find one in your price range and, even if you’re capable of doing muscle toning exercises, it may not be a bad idea to use one of these machines instead, at least for part of the time.

Author: Joe Goertz

Source:Isnare.com