Electric Muscle Stimulation (E-stim) Therapy in St. Louis, MO
If you are struggling with muscle spasms, stiffness or chronic pain, you know how difficult it can be to get through the day. At Elevate Chiropractic in St. Louis, we use advanced therapies to help your body heal naturally. One of our most effective tools for pain management and muscle recovery is chiropractic electrotherapy, commonly known as E-stim.
Our electric muscle stimulation service is designed to calm irritated nerves and restore motion so you can get back to living your life.
What is E-stim Therapy?
Chiropractic stimulation therapy, or E-stim therapy, is a safe, non-invasive treatment that uses gentle electrical pulses to mimic the action of signals coming from neurons (cells in your nervous system). These mild pulses target specific muscles or nerves to stimulate contraction and relaxation.
While it might sound technical, the concept is simple: by stimulating the muscles, we increase blood flow to the area, which helps reduce swelling and promotes healing. It is a highly effective complement to traditional chiropractic adjustments.
How E-stim Therapy Works
We use a specialized muscle stimulator chiropractic device that transmits these pulses through small electrode pads placed on your skin. These pulses penetrate the muscle tissue to:
- Block pain signals from traveling to the brain.
- Release the body's natural painkillers (endorphins).
- Reduce muscle spasms and tightness.
The Benefits of Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) Therapy
Why do we recommend EMS therapy for so many of our patients? Because it speeds up the healing process.
While adjustments align your spine, E-stim addresses the soft tissue issues that often accompany misalignment. Here are the key benefits of adding electric muscle stimulation to your chiropractic care treatment plan:
- Pain Relief: Effective management of chronic and acute pain without pharmaceuticals.
- Reduced Inflammation: Helps flush out inflammation and swelling in injured tissues.
- Muscle Re-education: Helps "teach" muscles how to contract properly again after atrophy or injury.
- Improved Circulation: Increases blood flow to the injured area, bringing vital nutrients needed for repair.
- Relaxation of Spasms: Deeply relaxes tight, seizing muscles that cause discomfort.
What to Expect During Your Session
If you have never experienced chiropractic stim, you might be wondering what it feels like.
During your session, you will relax comfortably while the doctor places small sticky pads on the skin around the treatment area. When the machine is turned on, you will feel a tingling sensation. This sensation is often described as "pins and needles" or a gentle massage. It should never be painful. We can adjust the intensity to your comfort level throughout the session.
Most treatments last between 10 to 15 minutes, leaving your muscles feeling relaxed and loose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do chiropractors use electrical stimulation?
Chiropractors use E-stim to address the "soft tissue" component of your pain. While an adjustment corrects spinal alignment, E-stim helps relax the muscles supporting the spine, making the adjustment more effective and holding the alignment longer.
Is chiropractor E-stim painful?
No. Most patients find the sensation relaxing. You will feel a tingling or tapping sensation, but it should not hurt. If the intensity is ever too high, let us know, and we will turn it down immediately.
Is this the same as a TENS unit?
They are similar, but clinical E-stim units used in our office are typically more powerful and offer different waveforms (patterns of electricity) than standard home TENS units, allowing for deeper penetration and better therapeutic results.
Ready to Elevate Your Health?
Don’t let pain hold you back. Experience the relief of EMS chiropractor care combined with expert spinal correction.
Contact Elevate Chiropractic today to find out if E-stim therapy is right for you.
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