Gainan Chiropractic offers Electronic Muscle Stimulation therapy in our Boardman center. Often this therapy is referred to as "muscle stim," or "EMS".

EMS involves low levels of electrical impulses delivered to an injured tissue through electrodes placed on the skin to reduce pain and speed healing. Patients describe this therapy as a pleasant, "tingling" sensation, or "electrical massage." The impulses stimulate the body to release natural pain relievers, called endorphins. Endorphins reduce pain and inflammation, thereby promoting faster healing of the injured tissues.

EMS therapy is often used to treat acute or chronic pain, as well as strains or sprains of the muscles, joints, and soft tissues of the spine and extremities.

There are many different types of electrical stimulation. Some are more beneficial for pain relief or to reduce inflammation, some for muscle spasm, and some actually cause muscles to contract in order to reduce muscle atrophy. Some have combination effects.

need a transition paragraph to say YOU USE TENS, DO YOU?

TENS
A TENS (Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation) unit is a small, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulation machine that can be used at home to help control pain. Variable intensities of electric current are used to control pain. The current may be delivered intermittently. The mild electrical current generates heat that serves to relieve stiffness, improve mobility, and relieve pain. The treatment is believed to stimulate the body's production of endorphins or natural pain killers.

This treatment is recommended to help patients get through periods of severe (acute) pain. TENS units are typically not recommended for chronic pain. It may also be used with other treatments such as Theraputic Exercise.

How is the treatment administered?
Electrode patches are applied to the skin in the area to be treated. The mild current runs from the stationary stimulator through these patches.

TENS is also used to deliver topical steroid medication through the skin to treat acute episodes of pain. This treatment is called Iontophoresis. The mild current causes the medication to migrate into soft tissue serving to reduce inflammation.

Is the equipment portable?
The portable stimulator is a small battery-operated device that can be worn around the waist. The unit can be turned on or off as needed for pain control.

Although these units can be purchased or rented, a prescription from a physician is required. Dr. Gainan will teach you how to use the device including proper placement of the electrodes for optimal benefits.

To ensure the patient will benefit from TENS, the portable device is used on a trial basis before the patient takes it home for long-term use. Unfortunately, TENS is not always an effective treatment.

Who should not use TENS?
Patients with pacemakers should avoid TENS because the electrical current could interfere with the operation of a pacemaker.