The factor about know-how is that it retains advancing. Simply ten years in the past, your Nokia Razor had a cool new function – SMS. Expertise trickles, and now your cellphone is a “smartphone”, which is actually a handheld pc with a digital camera nearly higher than your Nikon DSLR and a microphone that rivals newbie studio mics. Identical to your cellphone, electrical muscle stimulators EMS have come a great distance because the TENS unit was first launched in 1974. EMS has develop into more and more common in the previous few years with manufacturers like Compex, the MarcPro, and Powerdot dropping into the purposeful health scene, serving to purposeful and aggressive athletes optimize coaching outcomes. However how totally different is electrical muscle stimulation than a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator? We’re going to speak about variations, similarities, and whether or not you ought to be spending that tough earned cash on a TENS or EMS.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive pain-relief method. A small handheld machine, referred to as a TENS unit, admits low present electrical stimulation through skinny wires related to adhesive pads referred to as electrodes. These electrodes adhere to the pores and skin sending indicators that may interrupt the interpretation of ache indicators.
EMS or electrical muscle stimulation is a way generally utilized by bodily therapists and health lovers. Much like the TENS unit, EMS is a small handheld machine, that admits electrical present through skinny wires and electrodes. A key totally different is that EMS is utilized to particular muscle teams to assist with the train restoration course of or rehabilitation. EMS sends a stronger electrical present than a TENS unit and isn’t used for therapy of submit surgical ache, persistent ache, or wound websites.
Each TENS models and EMS function on the identical precept {of electrical} present. Compex for instance, makes use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of their machine the Compex Edge 3.0 to electrically stimulate the muscle groups. PowerDot markets their Powerdot 2.0 as greater than a TENS machine combining the effectiveness of TENS and NMES or neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
The largest distinction between a TENS and EMS is within the consumer interface. In contrast to a TENS unit EMS gadgets include an app which may present extra detailed analytics and utilization reviews on efficiency and restoration. Apps additionally present extra entry to controlling your machine, For instance, Powerdot EMS is managed through their app, as an alternative of offering a handheld unit.
EMS gadgets use totally different modes or applications and are engineered with extra options marketed to assist athletic efficiency outcomes equivalent to energy, endurance, and restoration. {The electrical} sign triggers repeated or patterned contractions of the muscle groups used to jumpstart the muscle fibers and prepare them for a selected intent or perform, decreasing fatigue, optimizing muscle restoration, and reducing ache.
This additionally accounts for the staggering distinction value between a TENS and EMS, $19.99 vs $350.
Admittedly, EMS gadgets like Compex and PowerDot are marketed as an elite athlete restoration device. A TENS unit just isn’t. It’s utilized by physicians in ache administration, chiropractors, and bodily therapists to assist with ache administration, not with athletic efficiency.
The analysis on electrical stimulators could be very combined and conflicting. TENS models are indicated as a noninvasive, nonpharmacological intervention that prompts a fancy neuronal community to scale back ache by activating descending inhibitory methods within the central nervous system to scale back hyperalgesia. Primarily, {the electrical} stimulation blocks the interpretation of ache indicators when the sensory neurons interpret the stimulation in a selected space of ache.
This may present some short-term aid; nonetheless long-term efficacy just isn’t effectively established. Efficacy is dose dependent, which means that depth or dose of stimulation is a essential consider TENS software. Excessive frequencies and stronger stimulation can oftentimes exacerbate signs whereas decrease intensities are ineffective. Within the final decade there have been numerous systematic evaluations/meta-analyses which have examined efficacy of TENS for ache discount in individuals with ache, some displaying efficacy whereas others displaying none.
Since each EMS and TENS acquired FDA approval in 2021, these gadgets have develop into extensively accessible to the general public, versus solely having prior entry to them with a prescription.
So can EMS gadgets and TENS assist with muscle restoration, energy, and cut back muscle fatigue? That’s nonetheless but to be decided. Research have proven nonetheless, that TENS may also help with a selected indication of treating persistent or acute ache for quickly aid. Conventional TENS models function with fixed electrical stimulation, giving the consumer the flexibility to regulate frequency and pulse width. EMS gadgets using TENS know-how, ship stimulation in particular patterned contractions, using totally different modes and applications. Total, each TENS and EMS gadgets may also help cut back persistent or acute ache and assist with short-term aid. Nevertheless using these gadgets with a selected indication to assist improve athletic efficiency will nonetheless require further human scientific trials to find out their efficacy as an ergogenic help.
References
Evaluation Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for most cancers ache in adults.Robb KA, Bennett MI, Johnson MI, Simpson KJ, Oxberry SGCochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jul 16; (3):CD006276.[PubMed] [Ref list]
Evaluation Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for most cancers ache in adults.Hurlow A, Bennett MI, Robb KA, Johnson MI, Simpson KH, Oxberry SGCochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Mar 14; (3):CD006276.[PubMed] [Ref list]
Evaluation Using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for ache aid in labour: a overview of the proof. Bedwell C, Dowswell T, Neilson JP, Lavender TMidwifery. 2011 Oct; 27(5):e141-8.[PubMed] [Ref list]
Evaluation Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for acute ache.Walsh DM, Howe TE, Johnson MI, Sluka KACochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Apr 15; (2):CD006142 [PubMed] [Ref list]
Evaluation Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) versus placebo for persistent low-back ache.Khadilkar A, Odebiyi DO, Brosseau L, Wells GACochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8; (4):CD003008.[PubMed] [Ref list]
Evaluation Analgesic results of remedies for non-specific low again ache: a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized trials.Machado LA, Kamper SJ, Herbert RD, Maher CG, McAuley JHRheumatology (Oxford). 2009 Might; 48(5):520-7 [PubMed] [Ref list]
Evaluation Analgesic results of remedies for non-specific low again ache: a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled randomized trials.Machado LA, Kamper SJ, Herbert RD, Maher CG, McAuley JHRheumatology (Oxford). 2009 Might; 48(5):520-7.[PubMed] [Ref list]
Bjordal JM, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RA, Bogen B, Chow R, Ljunggren AE. Quick-term efficacy of bodily interventions in osteoarthritic knee ache. A scientific overview and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord. 2007;8:51. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] •• When given at enough depth and frequency, TENS produces a clinically vital discount in ache in people with osteoarthritic ache. [Ref list]
Evaluation Transcutaneous electrostimulation for osteoarthritis of the knee.Rutjes AW, Nüesch E, Sterchi R, Kalichman L, Hendriks E, Osiri M, Brosseau L, Reichenbach S, Jüni PCochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Oct 7; (4):CD002823.[PubMed] [Ref list]
Claydon LS, Chesterton LS. Does transcutaneous electrical stimuation (TENS) produce ‘dose-response’? A overview of systematic evaluations on persistent ache. Phys. Ther. Rev. 2008;13(6):450–463. [Google Scholar] • A scientific overview of TENS trials in a number of persistent ache circumstances with consideration to TENS dose, protocol variations, and statistical energy. [Ref list]
