How electric muscle stimulators help those who cannot go to the gym

When a person is unable to exercise and achieve muscle strength and tone in the normal manner, electrical stimulator can be a great option.

In a normal routine exercise, contraction occurs when the impulse is received from the brain to the spinal cord to the nerve ending. The muscle contraction and relaxation helps in achieving mobility and motility. The muscle contraction is really a process that shortens or provides tension to the muscle. It is the muscle contraction that helps us move, maintain our posture and body heat.

The Electrical stimulator or NMES bypasses the brain–spinal cord pathway and directly acts on the muscle. The stimulator uses low volt current to activate the muscle, just as the electrical pathway created at the neuromuscular junction.

Failure in muscle contraction can happen due to failure in any one of the components that is the brain sending the impulse, the nerve ending conveying the message, or the muscle responding. This where an external stimulator helps.

NMES is designed to address the specific need of each patient claims the NMES research center. This customization is possible by adjusting the dial on the machine gradually until the patient feels the current passing.  Higher the setting on the dial faster is the cycle of contraction and relaxation.  This mimes the exercise cycle though this is passive.

The FDA (food and drug administration) has cleared the premarket design for the NMES, for certain purposes. It helps to increase the range of muscle movement, strengthens and tones muscles in people who are not able to actively exercise. The supervision of a healthcare person is essential.

Electricmuscle stimulator manufacturers market it for the following uses:

•          It has been prescribed for pain relief.
•          To increase blood circulation

 There have been claims of NMES being used to reduce body weight and girth, this claim has not yet been authenticated by the FDA.The FDA regulates the sale of all devices used in healthcare. This ensures that the device is effective and sales, particularly as they are intended for use in physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Direct marketing companies provide data and research documents to the FDA to ensure that their product is safe and efficient.

FDA is concerned basically with reports of shocks, burns, bruising, skin irritation and pain on use of the device. There have reports of the device interfering with pacemakers and defibrillators.Electrocution of the user or caregiver due to faulty leads and cables is another of the concerns of FDA.

Devices that meet the FDA premarket requirements automatically are cleared for these hazards the others may not be so.However, the slender tone Flex marketed by NeuroTech Inc. has been cleared by FDA for over the counter sale.

Problems  in safety or efficiency of the EMS/NMES can be reported.

Problems with EMS can be reported to.

1.    Directly to the manufacturer.
2.    Med Watch, in one of the following ways

a.  http://www.accessdatAnswer:fdAnswer:gov/scripts/medwatch

b.   by telephone at 1-800-FDA-1088

c.  by FAX at 1-800-FDA-0178

d.   by mail to Med Watch, Food and Drug Administration, HF-2, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857