EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) vs TENS
EMS or Electrical Muscle Stimulation, which is also referred to as neuromuscular electrical stimulation is the evocation of muscle contraction with the uses of electric impulses. EMS deals with the things that happen and the reasons which are responsible for contraction of muscles by the use of electric impulses. Impulses used in this process are made by a device and these impulses are provided to different parts of skin with the help of electrodes. The target of these impulses is to fall at specific muscles which are required to be stimulated. These impulses are copied through the potential actions which are provided through the nervous system of the human body which causes contraction of the muscles in the required portion of the body. Electrodes used in the process are most of the times different types of pads that can stick on the surface of the skin. EMS is used as a therapy as well as a training process of muscles. Sports training have been seen a number of times taking help from EMS and a number of writers have referred to EMS as a technique for sports training. These EMS machines in most of the countries, especially United States come under the control of the Health Administration. In US, these EMS machines are used under permission of the FDA department.
TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation makes use of the current which has been made through a device. This current is used for the stimulation of the nerves which is then used for the purposes of therapy. TENS is a wide range of currents applied on to a body of some person which is used for the excitation of nerves according to the proper definition. However, TENS is a term which is also used to refer to different processes or things. In a highly restrictive intent, TENS is a word used for the description of pulses that are produces as a result of usage of stimulators. These are portable stimulators mostly used for the treatment of pain in different parts of the body. TENS is normally connected to some portion of skin with the help of electrodes. TENS units are mostly operated by usage of batteries and they can perform modulation of pulse intensity, frequency and width. Application of TENS is mostly done at high values of frequency and at a moment when the intensity is below motor contraction. On the other hand, it may also be applied at a time when frequency is at a low value with the intensity at a value that can produce motor contraction.
EMS is applied for the purpose of rehabilitation in different muscles. EMS has wide uses in physical therapy and is used to prevent wasting or damaging of muscle tissues that can happen due to injuries to muscles with crack in bones, ligaments, joints and muscles. TENS, on the other hand is the usage of electric current in a device that is used for the purposes of therapy and are mostly used to relieve a person of pain in any part of the body. EMS can be targeted to perform therapy of a group of muscles at the same time while TENS is not used at a number of portions of body at the same time. TENS is also used in the reduction of labor pain while EMS finds its uses in burning calories through the physical exercising of the body.