What is a NMES device?
A NMES device uses electrical impulses to activate and contract muscle. They are commonly used to assist with maintaining muscle strength, preventing muscle wasting, and activation of muscles following injury or surgery.
How does it work?
The device’s electrode pads are placed on the skin over the muscles groups to be targeted. The NMES device mimics the natural process of the body’s central nervous system by delivering programmed electrical pulses to stimulate motor nerves, causing muscle contractions. The device settings can be adjusted to control the frequency, duration, and intensity of the contractions, depending on the desired outcome. Comparable to when reps, sets, and weight is prescribed to a strengthening exercise.
When is NMES used?
NMES device use is considered when someone has difficulty maximising the activation and contraction of a muscle group voluntarily. Situations where NMES may be used as part of a treatment plan may include:
- Following surgery, such as an ACL reconstruction, a phenomenon called arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) can occurs causing impaired quadriceps muscle activation due to neural inhibition. The NMES by-passes the body’s central nervous system to activate and contract the muscle, helping to improve muscle tone and strength during the early stages of the rehabilitation.
- During periods of immobilisation, when a joint or part of the body can’t be moved. The NMES device can help to maintain muscle strength and reduce muscle wasting, otherwise known as atrophy.
- For motor re-education, when recovering from a neurological condition, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, or cerebral palsy, NMES helps retrain the brain-muscle connection. The electrical impulses act as a guide, encouraging proper muscle activation and improving voluntary control over time. By consistently stimulating targeted muscles, NMES aids in restoring motor patterns and functional movement.
NMES Programming
The are several electrical pulse parameters that need be programmed when using a NMES device, and the settings will often need to be changed depending on the desired outcome. Many of the devices currently available have automatically programmed options that can be selected; however it is recommended to seek the advice of a trusted health professional to determine what will be safe and most effective.
Contraindications and Safety
There are some reasons which the use of a NMES may not be considered safe. These include:
- Pacemaker
- Pregnancy
- Fracture
- Damaged or broken skin
Learn More
At Coast Sport, our physiotherapists most commonly utilise NMES following surgery, such as an ACL reconstruction, to optimise muscle activation and recruitment in the early stage of recovery. If you’re looking to help ensure success with achieving optimal recovery, then ask one of our physiotherapists about using NMES as part of your rehabilitation plan.