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Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
We will discuss two different types of EMS equipment. The first is a procedure that sends electrical current to muscle and fatty tissue. The second is the use of a “massage like” piece of equipment.
Physicians have used electrical muscle stimulation using approved devices for some
time. They are a legitimate process approved for specific conditions. Some of those conditions are
§ Increase blood circulation
§ Prevent blood
clots
§ Relax muscle
spasms
§ And
rehabilitate muscle function after a stroke
Providers of EMS equipment for consumer use will tell you that the process
will:
§ Reduce breast size
§ Remove
wrinkles
§ Do face
lifts
§ Reduce
bellies
§ Remove
cellulite
There is no clinical evidence that proves such claims, but we will endeavor to briefly explain
how this process works according to the providers.
The premise is that using EMS, the brain sends a nerve impulse to the “motor point” of the
muscle you desire to change. This signal is a message to the muscle to expand and
contract.
Electrodes are placed on specific motor points of the muscle group(s) to be exercised. When the electrical
stimulation is applied through the electrodes using a mild current the muscle will expand and contract. The theory is that this makes it possible to duplicate regular exercise without the effort using
conventional means.
During your conventional exercise, your brain is sending messages down the spinal cord through
the nerves with the muscles you are using, causing them to relax and contract. Your brain is
controlling the muscle using what is called voluntary muscle action.
EMS uses the outside electrical source to stimulate the nerves and send signals to your muscle
to expand and contract. It send an electrical current through adhesive electrodes creating the
expansion and contraction. This would be considered involuntary muscle
action.
It is believed by some that EMS stimulates large nerve axons, or long outgrowths of a nerve
cell body. Some of these cannot be stimulated voluntarily so the logic is that EMS might allow
for increased development of tissue by enlarging it without multiplying cells.
The second piece of equipment is a “massage like” device. We will not mention the name as it is trademarked and it is not our intent to provide advertising for any
specific method of equipment.
They claim to have the first FDA approved device for temporarily reducing the appearance of
cellulite. The process is what they term a “subdermal” approach for temporarily reducing the appearance of cellulite.
It consists of a hand held motorized device with two adjustable rollers and suction which
creates a symmetrical skin-fold. They state that, “the skin gently folds and unfolds under the
continuous action of the rollers allowing for smooth and regulated deep tissue mobilization.
As the viscosity of the subcutaneous fat layer decreases, blood flow and lymphatic drainage
increase, facilitating the elimination of excess fluid and metabolites, while improving overall cellular function.”
This is supposed to help you to reduce cellulite and probably brew your morning
coffee!
All joking aside, if not used properly these devices can produce harmful
effects. Because they border on “snake oil salesman” techniques in their advertising and
claims, our suggestion is to go ahead and research them but buyer beware.
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