Neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to skeletal muscles is an effective rehabilitation and exercise training modality. This therapy (NMES), can be used to generate muscular contractions and it can assist movement for people with incomplete muscle activation.

NMES may be an effective treatment for muscle weakness in adults with advanced progressive disease and could be considered as an exercise treatment for use within rehabilitation programs. You can get more information about neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy via sheldonwellness.com/services/neuromuscular-electrical-stimulation/.

It is the administration of an electrical current generated by a stimulator that travels through leads to electrodes placed on the skin to depolarize the motor nerve and produce a muscle contraction. It uses a safe, non-invasive, low-frequency current that is applied to the muscles through electrodes on the skin.  

Electrical stimulation excites the nerves that innervate desired muscles, causing them to contract. Stimulating muscles to contract in this way enhances motor learning, muscle re-education, strength, and endurance.

NMES strengthens muscles in a different way than active muscle movements. The current first stimulates large fatigable fibers (Type II muscle fibers) and then smaller, fatigue-resistant fibers (Type I muscle fibers). This order is opposite to that of voluntary muscle contractions, allowing for a high load to be placed on the muscle at low repetitions.