Electric Muscle Stimulation

Electric muscle stimulation (e-stim) can be used to help with pain, muscle spasm, and swelling. During this e-stim, small treatment pads (around 2" x 2") are placed near the patient's area of complaint. Most patients describe the e-stim as feeling like "pins and needles" or that the area "fell asleep." During the therapy, the patient is instructed that the sensations should be strong but comfortable. This therapy should never feel painful. The e-stim therapy usually lasts around 10-15 minutes. It can also be combined with heat therapy.