TENS vs. EMS Units: Find out the Key Difference between the Electrotherapy Techniques

Pain can restrict your movement and affect your quality of life. For patients with chronic pain, injuries, and several other issues, physical therapy has proven to treat them and allowed them to move and function in a better way.

One of the physical therapy procedures includes electrotherapy or electrical stimulation (E-Stim). It includes sending mild electrical pulses through the skin to specific points on the body. It helps in stimulating the affected muscle and/or nerve endings to reduce pain, provide relief, expedite the healing process, and improve the overall health of the patient.

How does E-Stim Therapy work?

As a part of the physical therapy program, the process of electrical stimulation (E-Stim) includes placing adhesive electrode pads on the affected area of the skin. Electrode pads are small sticky pads that are attached to the e-stim machine with the help of wires.

When the physiotherapist switches on the machine, electrical pulses are delivered to the electrodes. The electrical current begins on a low setting and the frequency is gradually increased according to the requirements of the treatment.

Now, the pulses can be aimed at muscles or the nervous system. And, this becomes the main point of difference between the two most common electrotherapy stimulator devices: TENS and EMS. Learn more so that you can find out the best technique to treat your patients.

How to choose between TENS and EMS Units?

Even though there are many other types of e-stim devices, the popularity of TENS and EMS machines has surpassed others. The primary reason is that they work on acute pain as well as chronic pain. Both the techniques are tried-and-tested to improve the patient’s health and well-being. Let’s understand the difference between both the techniques so, that you can choose one that fits your requirements.

1. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Just as the name suggests, TENS stimulates the sensory nerve endings with low-voltage electrical pulses. By applying TENS electrodes to the affected area, the procedure manipulates the neurons and blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain. So, instead of feeling pain, the patient feels a tingly sensation in the part covered by electrodes.

Additionally, endorphins are also produced during the procedure. They are the body’s natural pain killers. So, the concerted efforts result in better pain relief and faster recovery.

How does the TENS machine benefit the patients? The portable, light-weight TENS units block pain signals to the brain. They stimulate endorphin production and improve blood circulation in the body.

What Conditions can be Treated with TENS Units? If you are looking for pain management and helping the patient with faster recovery after an accident or an injury, you can opt for TENS units. It has been known to be helpful in post-operative recovery, child-birth contraction, tension/stress headaches, migraines, athletic injuries, inflammatory arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, chronic pain as well as acute pain.

What kind of TENS Units are available on the market? When it comes to choosing TENS units, the sky is the limit. You will find battery-operated TENS massager, portable TENS unit with locater pen, as well as digital TENS/EMS unit to treat patients.

2. EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation)

Electrical Muscle Stimulation includes stimulating muscles to achieve the desired result. TENS focuses on the nerves whereas EMS emphasizes muscles. Consider EMS therapy as a passive exercise for the patient’s muscles where the machine is doing all work.

How does the EMS machine benefit the patients? It helps in the reduction of inflammation and lactic acid in the muscle. The EMS therapy also helps in relaxing and strengthening the muscle. Overall, it promises faster healing of injured muscles.

What Conditions can be Treated with EMS Units? Physiotherapists use EMS machines to treat muscle spasms, muscle atrophy, paralysis, poor blood circulation, etc. It is ideal for rehabilitation after injury.

What kind of EMS Units are available on the market? With the popularity of EMS therapies across the globe, you will find EMS units with different voltage, output channels, and functions. For example; professional electric muscle stimulator is ideal for clinic use. On the other hand, a battery-operated portable digital EMS unit is perfect for home visits.

Choosing the Best Electrotherapy Technique

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation focuses on the alleviation of pain and Electrical Muscle Stimulation machines are designed to pay attention to the strengthening of muscles. You must choose a therapy depending on your treatment goals. So, consider the condition of your patient and then decided on the therapy.

Nowadays, many TENS+EMS units are available to provide both types of stimulation to the patients. If you choose an SK-700B electric stimulator, you will be able to combine the benefits of both the therapies and get access to an affordable tool for treating patients. It also contains acupoint locators to detect the pressure points for effective treatment.

While buying a TENS+EMS unit, you have multiple options to choose from. So, research the features and find out more about channels, patches, power source, accessories as well as the cost to make the best buying decision.

Want to buy the best electrotherapy equipment for your physiotherapy practice? Shop online to find the biggest collection of acupuncture point locators, TENS and EMS machines, and muscle stimulators at affordable prices.

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