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Electromyostimulation (myoneurostimulation, myolifting, physiostimulation, myostimulation or EMS for short) is a modern treatment technique that is used in many public and private clinics. Manipulation is aimed at irritating the neuromuscular apparatus with electrical impulses of different frequencies. As a result of such an impact, the morphological and functional characteristics of the muscles improve, the tone of the skin and subcutaneous cells increases, and the vessels become more elastic.
EMC Features
Electromyostimulation was developed decades ago to prevent atrophic muscle disease in astronauts and pilots. The procedure favorably affects the deep and superficial tissues of the neck and face, tones the fibers and has a lymphatic drainage effect. Manipulation is popular not only in the medical field, but also in cosmetology. Electromyostimulation is carried out by cosmetologists to their patients in order to prevent the occurrence of age-related deep wrinkles and other pathological skin changes.
Physiostimulation is used to activate the respiratory system, bladder, muscles, nerve endings, heart and other internal organs. Also, manipulation has proven itself in sports medicine: it acts as a method of additional passive training (the work of muscle tissues increases by 2-3 times).
Only qualified doctors can conduct electromyostimulation, since if the myostimulation mode is chosen incorrectly, there is a risk of incorrect muscle contraction. For the procedure, a special generator of electrical signals and electrodes is used, which is fixed to the muscles.
About the mechanism of action of EMC
During myostimulation, motionless fixed electrodes and currents with a certain intensity are used, which allow you to get visible muscle contractions.
Physicians call myolifting a procedure during which movable electrodes are used, while visible muscle contractions are not observed, but the process of current flow in the tissues is felt. During electrical stimulation of muscle tissues or nerve endings, their biological activity changes and the formation of spike potentials begins.
Signals that come from nerve cells provoke the process of muscle contraction. With the activity of muscle and nerve cells, there is a rapid movement of ions through the cell membrane, at which time an electric current is formed. This process is recorded by the device using intracellular sensors.
At this moment, at the cellular level, an increase in the content of creatine phosphate and ATP is observed, the rate of oxygen release increases, and energy costs for contraction of muscle tissues decrease. Electromyostimulation activates lymph flow and blood supply, as a result of which energy exchange processes in the body increase. The impulse current is aimed at normalizing muscle tone, restoring the nervous regulation of contractions, increasing muscle strength and volume.
After one session of EMS, the patient has a lower threshold for muscle fatigue. Indications for the procedure are: weakening the turgor of the skin and muscle tissue tone, modeling the contour of the face oval.
Electromyostimulation methods
To change the contour of the oval of the face, it is necessary to stimulate the muscle tissues that are located in the cheek area. If the patient has loose skin, self-adhesive skin sensors should be used. Several sessions can improve the tone and elasticity of the subcutaneous muscle (platysma). It is also possible to correct such a defect as a lowered upper eyelid using this manipulation. Pulse current exposure is used to eliminate the “second chin”.
The doctor can set the necessary parameters on the computer for effective and efficient manipulation: the shape of the pulse and the frequency of exposure. Low frequency rates are needed during therapeutic procedures in cosmetology. Impulses with different frequency ranges are necessary for myostimulation of nerve cells, smooth and skeletal muscles.
Different classes of devices have different pulse frequencies. There is “VIP-equipment” and devices of the middle class.
The first type is the most effective and more expensive. In manipulations, the intensity of the impulses is set by the specialist depending on the sensations of the patient (contractions should be strong, but not bring pain). Impulses can be bipolar (softly perceived by the skin and do not cause pain) and monopolar (most often cause a sharp tingling sensation).
There are 2 types of EMS procedure: the first is professional, the second is individual. Professional myoneurostimulation can affect several muscle groups at once. The devices are distinguished by special regulators that allow you to set the duration and strength of contractions of each muscle tissue.
The individual type of apparatus is designed to stimulate one muscle group. In this case, only the current power can be controlled and set. To activate the work of different muscle groups, you will need a whole set of individual devices.
Domestic devices are not in demand because they do not have sufficient signal strength. Doctors use foreign modern equipment for electromyostimulation.
When choosing electromyostimulation, you need to pay attention to:
- absence of pain during the manipulation;
- signal strength;
- no irritation and redness of the skin under the sensors;
- additional features of the device.
Indications and contraindications for the procedure
Electromyostimulation indications include body fat (cellulite), overweight, venous-lymphatic insufficiency, sagging skin and muscles, impaired arterial and venous circulation, age-related wrinkles and changes.
Contraindications to the procedure are: the patient’s individual sensitivity to electric current, the presence of a pacemaker, installed metal structures in the body (with the exception of gynecological and dental implants), serious mental disorders. Doctors prescribe EMS with caution to pregnant and lactating women, children and patients with diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Before prescribing a course of therapy, the doctor selects the necessary parameters and only increases their performance in 2-3 sessions.
If a large number of procedures are prescribed, the body may become accustomed to the effects of electrical impulses, and the desired effect will not be achieved. Only a qualified specialist will competently draw up an individual treatment program for each patient.
It should be borne in mind that in athletes, muscle tissues are stronger and require more load. In an individual complex, the doctor can often include lymphatic drainage, ultrasound therapy, pressure therapy, electrophoresis and endermology.
Carrying out electromyostimulation
Manipulation is prescribed several times a week or at intervals of 24-48 hours. The duration of the procedure varies from 20 to 40 minutes. The full therapeutic course is 10-20 sessions. The break between courses of treatment is at least 30 calendar days.
The patient does not need to prepare for physiostimulation in advance. The beautician or physiotherapist soaks the sensors in water and fixes them with special bandages on the motor active points of the muscles. Next, wires with the correct polarity are connected. After checking all connections, the doctor launches the program on the device.
The specialist gradually increases the strength of the current until muscle contractions begin to be observed. It is desirable to increase the intensity of the current on the tissues symmetrically (for example, on the muscles of both hands). The first increase in current strength can be done a few minutes after starting the program. During this time, the muscles will be able to adapt and prepare for a greater load. When the EMS comes to an end, the doctor removes the sensors and turns off the device. The areas where the electrodes were fixed should be treated with body milk or tonic with a moisturizing and soothing effect.
Efficiency of manipulation
During therapy, many patients experience not only an increase in muscle elasticity and tone, but also a decrease in body weight due to a sharp increase in energy metabolism. At the site of exposure to impulses, the temperature rises and muscle work increases, which contributes to the breakdown of fat cells. Treatment with electromyostimulation is good because excess fat leaves only problem areas of the body, such as buttocks, thighs, and abdomen.
The positive results of the procedure are: an increase in blood circulation up to 90%, an increase in lymph outflow, more nutrients enter the muscle tissues, biochemical processes, enzymes are activated, redox processes are enhanced, including glycogen conversion. After electromyostimulation, lactic acid ceases to accumulate in muscle tissues for a short period of time, which causes severe pain after intense physical exertion.
Over the past few years, electromyostimulation of the face and décolleté has become quite popular. It is an alternative to traditional therapeutic massage. A positive result is noticeable after 3-5 procedures: the skin is tightened, the complexion becomes healthier and fresher, the dullness and flabbiness of the skin decreases, the number of wrinkles decreases.