Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS)

Sometimes We Just Need to Calm Things Down

Electric muscle stimulation, or EMS, is one of the therapies we use in the office to help with pain and muscle tightness.

You'll most commonly see me use it early in treatment, after a new injury, or when someone is having a flare-up.

The name of the game here is pretty simple: pain relief.

EMS isn't something every patient needs, and it's usually not the main treatment we're relying on. It's another tool we have available when I think it can help make you more comfortable.

What Is Electric Muscle Stimulation?

If you've ever been to a chiropractor or physical therapy office, there's a good chance you've had some version of electrical stimulation before.

We place adhesive pads on the skin around the area we're treating. Those pads deliver a mild electrical current that creates a tingling sensation and can cause the muscles to contract.

We slowly increase the intensity based on what feels comfortable to you.

It should feel strong, but it shouldn't hurt.

Then you basically get to lie there and relax while the machine does its thing.

Why Do We Use It?

For me, EMS is primarily about helping decrease pain and relax an irritated or tight area.

I commonly use it for things like:

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle tightness
• New injuries
• Flare-ups of an existing problem
• Soreness after an injury

We may also pair EMS with heat or ice, depending on what we're treating and what I think makes sense.

Again, this isn't the treatment that's going to magically fix everything.

It's a tool we can use to help calm an area down while we're addressing the actual problem.

What Does EMS Feel Like?

This is usually the first question patients ask once they see the pads come out.

You'll feel a tingling or buzzing sensation underneath the electrodes. Depending on the settings we're using, you may also feel the muscles gently contract.

We'll start low and gradually increase the intensity.

I'll usually ask you something along the lines of, "Tell me when it's strong but still comfortable."

That's where we'll leave it.

You don't get bonus points for seeing how high you can tolerate the machine.

The goal is to make you feel better, not torture you.

When Will I Use EMS During My Visit?

If I'm using EMS as part of your treatment, it's usually done along with the other care you're receiving that day.

For example, a patient who comes in with a new low back injury might receive EMS and heat or ice in addition to their chiropractic treatment.

Someone having a flare-up may receive it for a few visits until things settle back down.

Once you're feeling better, we may not need it anymore.

I don't believe in adding treatments just to add treatments.

If I think EMS will be useful, we'll use it. If I don't think you need it, we won't.

EMS Is Usually One Piece of the Puzzle

One thing I don't want this page to imply is that EMS is some kind of standalone cure.

It's not.

If you're dealing with back pain, neck pain, an injury, or another musculoskeletal problem, we still need to figure out what's actually going on.

Depending on your condition, your treatment might include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Massage therapy
• Rehabilitation exercises
• Soft tissue treatment
• Electric muscle stimulation
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Heat or ice
• Other treatments available in the office

You may need several of those.

You may only need one or two.

The treatment should fit the patient, not the other way around.

Do I Need EMS at Every Visit?

No.

In fact, many patients won't need it at all.

I tend to use EMS more when someone is particularly sore, has a new injury, is experiencing muscle spasms, or is going through a flare-up.

As things improve, there's often less reason to continue using it.

That's also why we don't automatically put every patient through the same series of therapies every time they walk through the door.

I'll use what I think is appropriate for what's happening right now.

Frequently Asked Questions