Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (“E-stim” or NMES) is the application of a low-level electrical impulse to a muscle or muscle group to stimulate their contraction. NMES can be used to prevent atrophy of a muscle or group of muscles, as well as decrease swelling, and it is used most commonly for orthopedic or neurological injuries and disease. Patients recovering from orthopedic surgery, fracture repair, spinal cord injury, and other neurological and orthopedic conditions may benefit from electrical stimulation.
Transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS) uses electrical impulses to help decrease pain to an affected area, without stimulating a muscle contraction.
One or both of these treatments may be prescribed for patients to aid in pain management or to help reduce swelling or edema, as well as to help maintain muscle mass in a limb that cannot yet be challenged with exercise.
These services are included in the cost of physical rehabilitation.