Electrical Stimulation For Knee Pain Electrical stimulation – also known as neuromodulation or E-stim – is a pain management approach that uses electricity to decrease knee pain and discomfort. During the treatment, mild pulses of electrical current are delivered to the area affected by pain with the use of sticky pads. The pulses of electricity will produce a cascade of effects, including: * Stimulating blood flow: The electrical pulses can promote the flow of blood, nutrients, and oxygen to the injured area, thus supporting the body’s ability to heal and regenerate damaged tissue. This can also reduce inflammation which, in turn, will ease swelling, redness, and stiffness. * Triggering the release of endorphins: Similarly to massage therapy, electrical stimulation can trigger the release of chemicals known as endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. * Modulating how your brain processes pain: The electrical pulses will act by “flooding” the nervous system and preventing pain signals from reaching the brain. The current may also be able to trigger a shift of electrical charge in pain neurons in the brain (a process known as depolarization), which can reset your perception of pain and lead to long-lasting relief from pain. * Helping the muscles contract properly: E-stim can stimulate muscle movements, which can help prevent muscle shrinking (atrophy). Loss of muscle mass can be a complication of disability and prolonged immobilization and can contribute to further damage to the knee components.
Being non-drug, non-surgical, and non-pharmaceutical, this approach can be used by a large percentage of the population with minimal risks.
Let’s look at these benefits below: * Reduce chronic pain: By interrupting the pain signals traveling to the brain, e-stim therapy reduces painful sensations and discomfort in people with chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis. * Decrease inflammation and swelling: electrical stimulation may help relieve inflammation by stopping the release of inflammatory molecules in the brain.
Additionally, by forcing the muscles to contract, e-stim combats the build-up of fluids and swelling that occurs when the muscles are still for too long (edema). * Improve range of motion: E-stim therapies help reduce the swelling and stiffness caused by inflammation, which can help you move your knee joint more freely. * Reduce muscle spasms: When used for muscle stimulation, electrical stimulation can modulate the activity of motor nerves within the muscles. This helps reduce involuntary movements such as spasms, fasciculations, and cramps, which are often caused by motor nerves misfiring spontaneously. * Improve neuromuscular rehabilitation: E-stim therapies can be used to help patients build up or maintain muscle mass in the event of immobilization or reduced mobility. When used to retrain muscle contraction, e-stim can promote greater mobility, help reduce the risk of muscle atrophy, and support overall musculoskeletal health. * If you are interested in it , just let me know.