Is Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) real or just more woo and really no better than a placebo? I collecting articles on the topic (and on TENS for pain too) I think its just a neat way to get a massage and certainly claims like it accelerating healing because is creating/increasing blood circulation I think is wishful or magical thinking

How Does Electrical Muscle Stimulation Work?

Electrical muscle stimulation — often called “e-stim” or “TENS” — is a type of treatment often used in physical therapy or other rehabilitation settings. The two primary uses for this treatment are pain relief and muscle re-education. In most settings, there is a machine that provides an electrical current.

Contraindications for a TENS Machine

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS machine, provides pain relief by sending low-voltage electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin to a painful area on the body. A TENS unit can lessen pain without the use of medication. A TENS machine is generally considered safe. However, certain daily activities or medical…

T.E.N.S vs. Muscle Stimulators. What is the difference? – BMLS

T.E.N.S. stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. The key here is the NERVE part. TENS is a “pain blocker.” The buzzing sensation is thought to block the pain signal from the nerve to where it is perceived in the brain as pain. T.E.N.S. units are also thought to aid in the release of endorphins, which …