Electrical stimulation therapy, or e-stim, uses a mild electrical current delivered through pads on the skin. It can relieve pain, activate weak muscles, and help retrain how your nervous system controls movement. At Premier Physical Therapy in Arlington, TX, we use several types of e-stim, including direct-current electrical stimulation used during active movement and exercise.
Pain relief: gentle current may reduce pain by changing how pain signals travel to the brain.
Muscle activation: current can make a weak or inhibited muscle contract, which helps it get stronger after surgery, injury or a long period of not being used.
Movement retraining: stimulation during exercise can help muscles fire with better timing and control, so you can move and train with less pain.
Eva uses direct-current electrical stimulation while you actively move and exercise, rather than while you lie still. She combines it with hands-on myofascial release and other treatments, such as low-level laser therapy and shockwave therapy.
Most people feel a tingling, buzzing or mild pulling sensation, and sometimes a muscle tightening on its own. The therapist starts low and adjusts the intensity so it's noticeable but comfortable. When stimulation is used during exercise, you'll feel it while you move through your exercises. There's no downtime afterward.
Electrical stimulation is often used as part of physical therapy for recovery after surgery, knee pain, back pain, stroke recovery, peripheral neuropathy, chronic pain and sports injuries.
Electrical stimulation isn't right for everyone. Tell us before treatment if any of these apply:
You have a pacemaker or another implanted electrical device.
You're pregnant. Stimulation isn't used over the abdomen during pregnancy.
You have cancer in or near the area being treated.
Note: Stimulation is also not used over the front of the neck.