Gadgets that affect human muscles using electricity have been on the market for decades. During this time, their reputation changed. At first they gained insane fame and became a hit on TV shopping, because the advertising promised people to build muscle without much effort. Then came the time of disappointment in EMS technology, when everyone realized that it was impossible to become a muscleman without training and dieting.
But over time, EMS myostimulants did not disappear from the shelves: consumers still saw beneficial properties in them. Yes, they won’t turn a skinny geek into Conan the Barbarian, but they will help with muscle recovery and pain relief, and will also be useful to professional athletes during difficult training courses and rehabilitation from injuries.
We have put together all the important information about EMS stimulators, their close relatives TENS, and you can choose the best functional and inexpensive electromyostimulators.
How does the technology work?
Electricity contracts muscle fibers - this is how our body works. The myostimulator imitates the action potential that comes from the central nervous system. By correctly adjusting the strength of the electrical signal, you can bring such contractions as close as possible to the indicators characteristic of healthy sports activity. And muscle movement is guaranteed to disperse blood through the vessels, can affect the production of lactic acid, and improve muscle elasticity.
It is important not to confuse EMS and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) technologies. Myostimulators marked EMS act specifically on muscles. TENS devices are configured so that their shock works on the nerves. EMS technology is about relaxation, restoring blood circulation and creating conditions for muscle growth, and TENS is about fighting pain, arthritis, sciatica and other neuritis.
By the way, TENS technology is even more ancient. Even in ancient Rome, people with pain in their legs were forced to stand on electric fish - historical sources testify to this. And in the 19th century, medicine officially recognized the possibility of treatment with electricity.
So, let's separate EMS and TENS. Although some gadgets combine the first and second technologies with varying degrees of success.
Let's dot all the I's. Expensive and powerful medical equipment is capable of maintaining the muscle volume of paralyzed patients. Ultra-expensive sports stimulants EMS are used to train top athletes. Perhaps the gadgets even improve their muscle tone. But not a single mass product has yet shown a real increase in the biceps and triceps of buyers.
Nutritionist Jerry Brainam draws attention to an important detail: if usually, during exercise, our body first activates weak and small muscle fibers (later moving to large ones), then the EMS myostimulator primarily activates fibers of the second type (from large to small).
It would seem that under such conditions the muscles should definitely grow on their own. But the expert, citing research, admits with disappointment that this principle only works in theory. To effectively build muscle mass, you need gadgets with a power 60 times greater than the power of devices existing today (and these discharges will no longer be safe for health).
Brainam provides a link to an experiment involving students. One group trained in the gym for 45 days, and the other worked with muscle stimulants for 45 days. Alas, the second team lagged behind the first in all respects. Moreover, the experiment participants complained of boredom during electrical training and asked to go to the “rocking chair”. C'est la vie!
What about weight loss? Maffiuletti N.A. in an article on electrical stimulation, he calls the number of calories burned during electrical training “marginally low.” He is echoed by other scientists, emphasizing that only physical exercises that simultaneously use different muscle groups lead to weight loss.
However, there is not only bad news about myostimulation for muscles. Recent studies indicate a positive effect of electricity on the adaptation and training of muscle fibers, increasing their endurance and resistance to fatigue, which is important for a comprehensive understanding of the training process.
Why does it work
Many diseases of the musculoskeletal system are accompanied by pinched nerve roots. In this regard, the muscles lose connection with the nerves and begin to be inactive, lose tone, and become weaker. To compensate for this, the body redistributes the load to other active muscles, which begin to ache from excess tension.
Electrical stimulation is designed to restore normal function to dormant muscles. Regular physical education may not be enough for this, so the method is a real salvation: the activity of weak muscles is stimulated, as a result they are included in the work of the musculoskeletal system. At the same time, muscles that were previously under high stress are given the opportunity to relax. In this regard, the general condition improves, recovery accelerates, and pain goes away.
Pulsed currents have the following therapeutic effects:
- reflex enhancement of blood supply to tissues and lymph flow;
- improvement of metabolic and trophic processes, oxygen supply to tissues;
- prevention of muscle atrophy;
- normalization of muscle tone for a long time;
- restoration of full range of motion;
- improving the conductivity of nerve impulses, electrical excitability of the neuromuscular system.
As for the stimulation of the smooth muscles of internal organs, a positive effect is ensured by solving several problems at once: a general improvement in the function of organs, restoration of the activity of their regulatory systems, improvement in the function of the circular muscles (sphincters).
What types of EMS stimulants are there?
In addition to the use of EMS and TENS technology, there are other differences. For example, the operating modes of the device and the permissible power of the electrical discharge, mobility and dimensions of the gadget may vary.
Abdominal myostimulation belts are especially popular. There are sensors designed to train legs and arms. However, now there are more universal devices on the market: they look like a single base with several suction cup sensors of different types. This is convenient because they can be attached to different parts of the body, working in parallel with different muscle groups.
The most important characteristic is the presence of an FDA certificate in the United States. Only certified devices can be sold legally. The consumer chooses everything else at his own peril and risk. Our advice is that before purchasing a gadget, check it in the database of certified gadgets.
Let's start with the fact that muscle myostimulators have a long list of contraindications. The devices are not recommended for pregnant women, heart patients, PEOPLE WITH PACETEMULATORS, patients with renal failure or chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Problems with blood circulation and oncology also give a 100% ban on the use of EMS and TENS stimulants.
Experts advise consulting a doctor before using the gadget. This is especially true for those who have recently had a cold/flu, experienced fractures, torn ligaments, or muscle damage. Still, jokes with electricity are bad!
Regarding the effective use of electrical stimulators, most manufacturers provide the following recommendations. There is no need to work out your back, ankle and abs at the same time. It's better to focus on one area. Even placing wires on both limbs dissipates the applied current.
It is better to launch the gadget on relaxed muscles; it is not recommended to simultaneously stimulate opposing fibers (flexors and extensors). Care should be taken when attaching the sensor to the muscle: incorrect placement can negate the results.
Does a massager help remove belly fat?
Now there are many methods to help get rid of excess subcutaneous fat in the abdominal area. You can choose from both salon procedures, which are based on mesotherapy, body wraps or the use of powerful hardware massagers, as well as home methods to remove belly fat. At home, you can do a vacuum massage of the abdomen using cups and a special gel, as well as honey, vibration, pinch or water massage.
The question lies on a different plane. How effective are these numerous methods? And does massage really help to remove belly fat?
Features of abdominal massage
Fat in the abdominal area can be subcutaneous or visceral. The subcutaneous fat layer, which covers the abdominal muscles, brings a number of external inconveniences, but is not as dangerous for human health as visceral fat. Visceral fat is formed behind the abdominal muscles, closer to the internal organs. If this layer grows strongly, it begins to negatively affect many internal organs, especially the liver and heart.
In addition to the general preventive effect, intensive abdominal massage:
- tightens the skin layer;
- helps to gradually get rid of cellulite;
- strengthens the abdominal muscles;
- stimulates blood circulation and lymph movement;
- accelerates the removal of toxins from the body.
After using the massager, it is best to apply an anti-cellulite warming cream to the abdominal area, and finish the procedure with special lymphatic drainage movements that stimulate the removal of excess water and lymph from the abdominal area.
Types of massagers
Which massagers are the best to help get rid of excess subcutaneous fat?
- Vacuum (can). Vacuum massage is considered one of the most effective ways to remove belly fat; it is based on the ancient method of using cupping. Thanks to this effect, metabolism in the abdominal area is significantly improved. But the use of vacuum massagers is allowed only in the absence of diseases of the skin and internal organs;
- Vibrating massagers. Artificial contraction of the abdominal muscles is a great way to intensify the burning of subcutaneous fat and form solid abs. But vibration is contraindicated for high blood pressure, varicose veins and cancer;
- Thermal massagers promote the outflow of waste and toxins from the body, which significantly speeds up the process of losing weight. They should not be used for hypertension or high fever.
Devices for abdominal massage are usually special belts that are attached to the waist, switched on in one of the massage modes and work for a specified time. There are also hand massagers in the form of various rollers that need to be rolled in a circle (clockwise). Movements in the form of a figure eight or an infinity sign are also suitable. The sides of the waist are massaged strictly in the upward direction.
How to complement abdominal massage?
It is impossible to remove belly fat using only manual or mechanical massagers. Their use is an auxiliary procedure that only promotes weight loss. Without additional effort, massagers will, at best, tighten the skin well.
To get rid of belly fat, you must first of all lead a healthy lifestyle, namely:
- Move more. Running, long walks or dancing to your favorite music for at least 20 minutes a day will do;
- Eat small portions. If you eat small portions 5-6 times a day, your stomach will not stretch. Preference should be given to light and healthy foods, eat more nuts, fruits, vegetables and herbs, cereals, as well as steamed meat and fish;
- Do not eat sweet, smoked or very fatty foods. You should completely avoid cookies and sweets, and take marshmallows, jelly, and delicious cereal breads with tea;
- Practice with a hoop every day. It stimulates blood circulation, strengthens muscles and massages the abdomen, and also grips the sides and back, further stimulating problem areas;
- Drink more clean water, which effectively cleanses the body and removes harmful toxins.
Contraindications
Any massagers, even harmless roller devices for manual massage, should be used with caution. Ideally, before using any massager, especially a mechanical one, you should consult a doctor and also carefully read the instructions.
General contraindications to the use of massagers:
- pregnancy;
- oncological diseases;
- infectious diseases;
- stomach or intestinal ulcer;
- inflammation of the genitourinary system;
- skin rashes;
- numerous diseases of internal organs.
It is best to perform a massage in the evening, after taking a warm bath, a few hours before bedtime. However, massagers can be used during the day, as well as after or before exercise. The duration of massage procedures depends entirely on the type of massage device and its operating mode.
Lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, move more, use only high-quality massagers! All this will help keep your stomach always flat and toned.
Myostimulator EMS - contraindications
The EMS training method has a list of contraindications - ranging from pregnancy to the presence of a number of chronic diseases - including any circulatory disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, renal failure, cancer, and so on.
A separate group of contraindications for the use of myostimulation includes people who have pacemakers and other devices for correcting heart rhythm, as well as people who have suffered bone fractures, sprains or skin damage in the recent past.
Final opinion
Although EMS training can be effective for bedridden patients, it is not able to significantly influence muscle growth, weight loss and significant fat burning, or get rid of stretch marks, cellulite or any other improvement in body contours.
In addition, the EMS method has a significant list of contraindications and is not recommended even for a serious cold. Manufacturers of EMS trainers have been repeatedly fined for false advertising and misleading promises.
In particular, there is no research that the myostimulation technique can replace strength training or create “iron abs completely effortlessly.” Moreover, most of the rave reviews on the Internet are most likely fakes, written at the request of the manufacturers.
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EMS training increases muscle tone exclusively in untrained people and in paralyzed patients, without affecting weight loss. It is also important that manufacturers of such equipment have been repeatedly fined for misleading advertising that EMS machines can “build muscle without effort.”
Scientific sources:
- Russian electrical stimulation: the early experiments, source
- FDA: Import Alert 89-01, source
- FTC Charges Three Top-selling Electronic Abdominal Exercise Belts with Making False Claims, source
