The difference between EMG, TENS and EMS

Manay patients wonder what the difference is between EMG, TENS and EMS/NMES. In this article we explain in a very simplistic manner the difference between these methods and when it is used for treatment.

EMG vs TENS

EMG triggered stimulation works on the following principle. It is used to assist the patient to contract a weak and specific muscle. It does this by providing an electrical stimulus via the electrode placed on the skin. As soon as the patient reaches the threshold set by the biokineticst, the stimulation is triggered. The muscle tetany / contraction improves the pain. Because EMG triggered stimulation helps to contract the muscle, it strengthens the muscle and prevents atrohpy. Additionally, it can increase blood circulationand and re-educate muscles. This is in contrast to TENS.

Many physiotherapists uses TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) or a TENS machine. This is used specifically to relief pain on a sensory level via the nerves. There is no muscle contraction when TENS is used. Only the nerves are stimulated with TENS to provide short-term pain relief. But the muscle does not improve in strength during TENS treatment. The electrical impulses can reduce the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles. They may also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

EMG vs EMS

EMS stands for Electro Muscle Stimulation. EMS also works by sending low-frequency electric impulses to contract your muscles while you’re exercising. So more muscle fibres are activated during training to ensure an increase in the body’s total muscle contractions. In the end, more muscle fibres are activated with EMS than compared to a normal training session without EMS. This is a new way that many people workout in more recent times.

What is the difference then between EMG triggered muscle stimulation and EMS?

The short answer is that EMG triggered stimulation needs that patient’s cooperation and muscle activation in order for the stimulation to be applied. Whereas the EMS provides the stimulation whether the patient is actively trying to work that muscle or not. This means that EMG triggered muscle stimulation / ETS is applied in a clinical manner. The patient, chronic pain, condition and injury is all taken into consideration and the EMG treatment is applied in a safe and specific manner to treat that patient and their medical history.

Where as EMS is applied in general to the whole body during normal exercises and in a non-clinical manner. It is not administered for treatment purposes. The EMS stimulation is provided whether the muscle is working correctly or not. EMS training does not allow exercise sessions for acute diseases, disorders, bacterial infections, inflammatory processes, recent surgeries, Diabetes Mellitus, pregnancy, tumors or cancers, Motor Neuron Diseases, Neurological disorders (Epilepsy), Abdominal or inguinal hernia etc.