The Post-Injury Power-Up: How EMS Prevents Muscle Atrophy After Immobilization
Suffering an injury often requires immobilization (casting or splinting), which is necessary for healing but leads to a frustrating side effect: muscle atrophy—the rapid loss of muscle mass and strength due to disuse.
When you can't move, your muscles stop receiving the signals they need to stay active, delaying your return to full function. At Vida Chiropractic, we use a powerful tool to combat this loss: Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS).
How EMS Works to Preserve Muscle
EMS applies gentle electrical impulses that mimic the signals your brain sends to your muscles.
Direct Contraction: Electrodes placed on the skin send a current that forces the targeted muscle to contract and relax. This artificial activation maintains muscle activity without requiring painful or restricted voluntary movement.
Slowing Atrophy: By periodically contracting the muscle, even under a cast or brace, we dramatically slow down the rate of muscle loss. This helps maintain a higher percentage of mass than if the limb were left dormant.
Maintaining Connections: This consistent stimulation keeps the neuromuscular connection (the nerve-to-muscle pathway) active, preserving muscle memory and significantly speeding up the rehabilitation process once the immobilization period is over.
Get a Head Start on Recovery
Integrating EMS into your early recovery plan provides a head start on rehabilitation. At Vida Chiropractic, we customize the EMS treatment to ensure safe and effective stimulation that complements your healing process.
Don't let muscle atrophy sideline you longer than necessary.
If you’re facing immobilization due to injury, talk to the experts at Vida Chiropractic about how EMS can accelerate your recovery and minimize muscle loss.
Contact Vida Chiropractic today to schedule your consultation!
