Muscle Stimulators for Muscle Activation, Pain Relief & Recovery

Muscle Stimulators for Muscle Activation, Pain Relief & Recovery

TENS muscle stimulation serves as an easy, drug-free method of relaxing muscles and aiding with post-workout recovery. When combined with the use of EMS technology, it allows older adults to safely train and activate their muscles from the comfort of their home. This article explores the benefits of at-home muscle stimulators such as the LOOKEE® LED TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator and the LOOKEE® EMS Exerciser.

How Do Muscle Stimulators Work?

TENS 

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) focuses on pain relief through the use of a weak electric current. Electrodes are placed on the skin, and electrical impulses are sent to a set of targeted nerves. These electric impulses reduce the nervous system's ability to transmit pain signals to the brain. They also stimulate the release of endorphins, a natural painkiller produced by the body.

The  LOOKEE® LED TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator is a revolutionary new way to effectively relieve pain and relax muscles. The device can be placed on any area you desire to ease pain or massage muscles. Simply choose which mode you desire, TENS for pain relief or EMS for muscle stimulation. Both modes feature Red Light Therapy, which helps to relieve pain, support the repair process, and speed up recovery times.

The device has 19 difficulty levels that accommodate a range of needs, from people looking for alternative pain relief to athletes looking to recover faster. 

Conditions Treated using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Because of its ability to provide long-lasting pain relief for both chronic and acute conditions, TENS therapy has been known to treat some of the following conditions:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Fibromyalgia 
  • Tendinitis. 
  • Bursitis.
  • Low back pain.
  • Chronic pelvic pain.
  • Diabetes-related neuropathy
  • Peripheral artery disease 

EMS 

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) machines are used by athletes to forcefully contract muscles and specific muscle groups through electrical impulses, helping them achieve better results in a shorter amount of time. 

Conventional muscle contraction through exercise is caused by the brain sending signals via the body's peripheral nervous system. These signals are transported to nerves directly over a specific muscle group, resulting in muscle activation. EMS devices help individuals achieve the same result with half as much work. 

Through the use of gel pads or handheld devices, they send timed electrical impulses to contract muscles the same way the brain would. EMS assists in achieving the same goal as working out in the gym – muscle activation. 

The LOOKEE® Arm Workout EMS Exerciser engages all four arm muscle groups without having to spend hours at the gym. By sending low-frequency electric impulses to activate & relax muscles, the EMS Exerciser mimics the human body's natural muscle contraction signals, resulting in an effective workout. Furthermore, the device massages and relaxes muscles following a workout by stimulating blood circulation and preventing the build-up of lactic acid.

The Benefits of Muscle Stimulators for Seniors

Maintaining the body's stamina and physical wellbeing is something that is especially important in old age as it prevents health complications from occurring. Muscle stimulators are often used by seniors and older adults who want to nurture muscle health without engaging in strenuous and potentially harmful physical exercises such as weightlifting. 

Older adults don't need to perform harsh exercises to stay fit, but they do need to remain active. EMS stimulators can help with this, and should they experience any prior body pain, they can use a TENS unit to provide pain relief and aid with muscle recovery.

Using these muscle stimulators to stay active doesn't just reduce the chances of aches and pains, but it also reduces the need for strong and potentially harmful pain-relief medication.

How Effective Are Muscle Stimulators?

A study published by the National Library of Medicine focused on whether electrical stimulation would counteract muscle decline in older adults. It noted how important it is for them to maintain their muscle integrity as the body's muscle fiber becomes more susceptible to aging over time. Muscle tissues not only become weaker but are gradually replaced by the accumulation of fat. While regular physical exercise is the best way to counteract muscle decline, the study found that electrical stimulation can provide a number of benefits as well.

It has been recognized as a form of alternative therapy that can aid with muscle recovery and rehabilitation. It can assist with counteracting neuromuscular disability and maintaining muscle mass in older adults. In addition, it shows that patients who suffer from knee osteoarthritis have been recommended to use electrical stimulation as a form of pain relief and therapy. 

The study featured 16 participants who were seniors aged 70 and upwards, without any preexisting physical ailments. Over a period of 9 weeks, the subjects were exposed to regular neuromuscular electrical stimulation training. Electrodes were placed on their right and left thighs as the strength of thigh muscles would be tested following the experiment. They each had a total of 24 training sessions throughout the duration of the 9 weeks. 

Following the experiment, the muscle strength of each participant was tested via a series of simple exercises such as sitting and standing up and walking up and down stairs. The results would be compared to muscle biopsies taken before the electrical stimulation training took place. Since the participants were able to perform the exercises more frequently without becoming fatigued, the study concluded that electrical stimulation helps with maintaining muscle mass and promotes muscle adaptation.

Safety Around Muscle Stimulators

If you're questioning whether a muscle stimulator would be safe to use, it would be good to note that any machine that has been approved by the FDA poses little risk and is considered safe to use. However, there are a few precautions that you need to take when using TENS units. They should not be used by people with the following conditions:

  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy. As the electrical impulses could trigger seizures.
  • Deep vein thrombosis or thrombophlebitis. As TENS therapy could increase the risk of a dislodged clot.
  • Heart disease, heart failure, or heart arrhythmias.
  • If you have an implantable device such as a pacemaker, the electrical current could cause disruptions in the device's normal functioning.
  • If you are pregnant, do not use the device over the lower abdomen and pelvic area.
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