FAQ - Electrical Muscle Stimulation - Neck and Back Pain Relief

What Does it Do?

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) activates a higher percentage of your muscle fibres. Using a special combination of frequencies, EMS devices use electrical pulses to penetrate the muscle skin and fibres very efficiently resulting in pleasant physiological muscle contraction. This allows for the use of a wider range of currents (hertz) with recruitment of more motor units that is ideal for fitness training, rehabilitation (after surgeries and injuries), muscle relaxation and helps address back/neck pain.

“2012 review of 89 trials in healthy young adults found that EMS training at three to six weeks led to significant strength and speed gains, noting that trained and elite athletes were able to see just as impressive improvement in their performance as less-trained subjects even though they were already performing at a peak level.” *1

The recommended workout time is about 20 minute sessions twice a week. Pre and post set up takes about 10 minutes (faster the more familiar you become). To see results we recommend an implementation of a 6 week program.

How Do You Feel After?

Are you supposed to be sore? Yes you will feel sore as you have recruited a large number of muscle fibres. If the workout was done correctly you will recover much faster than a traditional workout and be less sore compared to traditional training methods.

When Will I Notice Results?

You will feel vitalized after the first session! Visible success, such as better posture will become evident after the first few training sessions. Remember there is no one solution to health and wellness. Eat well, train smart and rest properly.

We have a list of contraindications that list people at risk for injury if using EMS and we recommend they do not do EMS training. The devices and the electrical impulses are safe but we recommend you use EMS under the supervision of a trained professional.

“The use of EMS can also prevent people from injuries, especially for those inclined to injuries in the lower back, knees, shoulders, and muscles. EMS is very gentle on the joints and reduces the risk of injury due to the absence of weights (Kemmler et al., 2010).”

Yong-Seok Jee (2018, pg. introduction) The efficacy and safety of whole-body electromyostimulation in applying to human body: based from graded exercise test

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5833968/

Do I Need Special Training or Certification?

You do need special training to learn how to set up and calibrate each client. We provide that training along with supporting documents. Once you set up a couple times, the process goes by much faster and you will be more confident.

How Long Has EMS Technology Existed?

In 1902, a French researcher invented the first stimulation machine which was successfully used to treat muscle atrophy and paralysis. More research followed and 70 years later, two Russian scientists Kotz and Chwilon, proved the outstanding results of muscular stimulation on humans.

Click here for more on the History of EMS.

Do Professionals Use This?

EMS has been used for decades by elite athletes and health professionals, also there are many peer-reviewed studies that demonstrate its effectiveness.

Some changes that can be seen are improved max jump height, sprint speed and kicking velocity.

There is also currently a professional trainer using our devices to rehabilitate and train professional hockey players. We have a list of studies that have proven the results of training using electrical muscle stimulation and some excerpts can be found throughout this post.

“EMS has beneficial effects on the strength of critically ill patients mainly affecting muscle groups stimulated, while it may also affect muscle groups not involved presenting itself as a potential effective means of muscle strength preservation and early mobilization in this patient population.”

Eleftherios Karatzanos, Vasiliki Gerovasili, Dimitrios Zervakis, Elli-Sophia Tripodaki, (2012 pg. Abstract) Electrical Muscle Stimulation: An Effective Form of Exercise and Early Mobilization to Preserve Muscle Strength in Critically Ill Patients

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3321528/

How Long Does The Equipment Last?

All StimaWELL devices and clothing are made with high grade materials and undergo intensive inspection and quality control in Germany. We also offer options for extended warrantees for peace of mind. Like any anything, the better you treat it, the longer it will last.