Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NEMS)
About Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NEMS)
Helps restore muscle function.
- Help reduce muscle spasm and pain.
- Minimizes muscle atrophy.
- Highly effective for muscles weakened from stroke or injury.
- Improves damaged tissue.
- Considered safe and effective for older adults.
What is NEMS?
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NEMS) is the use of electrical stimuli on a group of muscles with the objective of rehabilitating the injured muscle or stroke-affected area.
NEMS is primarily used by physiotherapists as a form of rehabilitation treatment after injury, stroke, or other incident that results in loss of muscle function.
During a physiotherapy treatment, electrodes are placed on the skin over the targeted muscles. NEMS passes safe electrical impulses through the area.
This process is done to stimulate the nerves in the muscle. This helps to restore the communication between the brain and the muscular system in such a way that your muscles are ‘retrained’ to function normally again.
Why NEMS?
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation or NEMS therapy is very effective for preventive post operative muscle degeneration or for rehabilitation of strained and numb muscles following an injury or stroke.
NEMS therapy is the application of a very low level electrical current to a particular area on the body that needs muscle strengthening and pain relief. Through electrical frequencies, these muscle groups are made to contract, which works to strengthen the target muscle group. There is no discomfort or pain in the treatment, except for the mild tingling sensation.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation prevents muscle atrophy (degeneration) which allows patients to resume their usual activities rapidly than expected.
For those who have become weak and unable to walk due to loss of muscle mass, neuromuscular electrical stimulation can be a great option. NEMS can be very effective in treating damaged tissue, reducing muscle pain and spasms.
Common Questions
Coverage Options
pt Health therapy services are covered by most extended health insurance companies and in some cases Veterans Affairs and Medicare – such as OHIP (Ontario), Alberta Health Care and Medical Service Plan MSP (British Columbia). Not sure if you’re covered? No problem. We can help you find out (and usually within the hour). Just call us toll free at 1-866-749-7461.
At pt Health we believe your health should come first. We take care of the paperwork so you can focus on getting better, plus we offer direct insurance billing, saving you time and up front costs.
Ready to feel your best? Schedule an appointment at any one of our convenient locations near you or BOOK ONLINE!
Research
The Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NEMS) was conducted by the University of Pittsburg in 2008 to study how the therapy could produce 40 percent of maximum voluntary contraction in increasing muscle size.
The Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia in April 1995 studied ‘pedal forces produced during neuromuscular electrical stimulation cycling in paraplegics’.