EMS Therapy

5 Types of Sports Injuries that Can Benefit from EMS Therapy

ByBodybuzz

Electric muscle stimulation (EMS) can often be used to treat soft tissue injuries. These types of injuries are very common in many sports. EMS has been increasingly common in physical therapy and orthopedic rehabilitation to rehabilitate muscles after a sports injury.  The benefits of EMS therapy include:

  •       Improved circulation
  •       Quicker recovery – which allows athletes to get back to playing faster
  •       Reduced inflammation
  •       Improved mobility
  •       Reduced instances of muscle spasm

EMS works on soft tissue injuries by sending an electrical current to muscle groups. The increased circulation and reduced inflammation mean that the blood can deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the afflicted area, inducing better healing conditions. However, it should be noted that some patients respond better to EMS therapy than others.

But the benefits of EMS workouts are so well-known that many coaches and therapists use it as a standard treatment after certain injuries. The contractions induced in the muscles through the application of EMS are different than normal muscle contractions. And these differences can benefit multiple common sports injuries, such as:

Sprains

Sprains are ligament injuries that result from a sudden force being applied to a joint or a bone that forms a joint. Minor sprains result in a ligament being stretched. Severe sprains can become completely ruptured or torn. Because many sports are high-impact, sprains are incredibly common for nearly all athletes. Even athletes who engage in no-contact sports are at high risk for sprains if they risk falling or overexertion. Sports-related sprains are most commonly found in the ligaments of the ankle, knee, elbow, and shoulder.

Pulled Muscles

Pulled or strained muscles are tears caused by sudden stretching or the forceful contraction of the muscle. They can usually occur when there is a sudden change in speed or direction. A minor strain involves little torn or damaged muscle fibers. A severe strain can result in the complete rupture of the muscle. Strains are common in the lower back, quadriceps, calf, hamstring, groin, and rotator cuff. They can be painful and result in bruising, swelling, and tenderness.

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries come from repetitive stress on tendons, bones, and joints. Examples include tendonitis, stress fractures, bursitis, and joint problems. They can be caused by overtraining, deficiencies in strength or flexibility, poor alignment, and improper technique. Overuse injuries are very common in sports, particularly if the athlete continually repeats the same activities with no variation, such as running and bicycling.

Post-Surgery

Many sports injuries require surgery as the first step in repairing damage to the body. However, EMS can benefit these injuries as well by assisting with the rehabilitation. It can minimize scar tissue formation, which causes problems with joint motion and edema. EMS is the ideal solution for many of these injuries because the patient must remain immobile to heal, but healing is aided by movement, which can be achieved through EMS contractions.

Fractures & Dislocations

Fractures and dislocations can be debilitating. These injuries are often caused by a traumatic injury, such as a fall or high-impact collision. And while EMS may not directly help a fracture, there is often related soft tissue damage with these injuries. EMS can help the surrounding areas heal and achieve better healing conditions for the entire region of the body.

EMS can also help build strength while training for a sport and enhance health before surgery. It can help to restore and improve strength, range of motion, and endurance – all of which help to prevent an injury from occurring and help heal after an injury has occurred.

Addressing inflammation in all types of sports injuries is a challenge. And ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories frequently cause nausea, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and other minor side effects. These side effects can delay the recovery process. EMS offers an alternative treatment for inflammation without causing side effects.

One of the biggest risk factors for an injury is suffering a new injury in the same spot. EMS can help to strengthen and heal an injury to prevent a recurrence. This benefit allows athletes to rejoin the game, knowing that they have less chance of reinjuring themselves.

EMS can help with a wide range of soft tissue damage and injuries – in addition to those listed above. Using the electrical current, EMS provides a way to improve circulation, reduce swelling, and increase the body’s temperature. All of these factors lead to healing and optimizing the body’s performance.

To learn more about how EMS can help with an injury that occurred while playing sports, contact the team at Bodybuzz today.