[feature_headline type=”left” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”bolt”]Electrical Muscle Stimulation[/feature_headline][text_output]Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation, is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses. EMS has received increasing attention in the last few years, because it has the potential to serve as: a strength training tool for healthy subjects and athletes; a rehabilitation and preventive tool for partially or totally immobilized patients; a testing tool for evaluating the neural and/or muscular function in vivo; a post-exercise recovery tool for athletes.

When applied the skin, it’s described as tingle sensation whereby these impulses desensitizing the pain pathway by releasing endorphins. This therapy treats acute and chronic muscular injuries.[/text_output]

[feature_headline type=”left” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”minus”]Ice Therapy[/feature_headline][text_output]Also known as Cryotherapy or Ice Pack Therapy is used to decrease cellular metabolism, increase cellular survival, decrease inflammation, decrease pain and spasm, promote vasoconstriction, and when using extreme temperatures, to destroy cells by crystallizing the cytosol.

Ice pack therapy is a treatment of cold temperatures to an injured area of the body. An ice pack is placed over an injured area and is intended to absorb heat of a closed traumatic or edematous injury by using conduction to transfer thermal energy. The physiologic effects of cold application include immediate vasoconstriction with reflexive vasodilation, decreased local metabolism and enzymatic activity, and decreased oxygen demand. Cold decreases muscle spindle fiber activity and slows nerve conduction velocity, therefore it is often used to decrease spasticity and muscle guarding. It is commonly used to alleviate the pain of minor injuries, as well as decrease muscle soreness. The use of ice packs in treatment decreases the blood flow most rapidly at the beginning of the cooling period, this occurs as a result of vasoconstriction, the initial reflex sympathetic activity. As stated previously, ice is a very popular modality for treatment in injuries and muscle repair following any activity, however the application of cold prior to activity is also an option, and is often used in sports medicine[/text_output]

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[feature_headline type=”left” level=”h3″ looks_like=”h3″ icon=”plus”]Heat Therapy[/feature_headline][text_output]The use of heat is effective in treating conditions that are subacute or chronic in nature. It is not recommended that heat be used within the first few days, especially when any signs of swelling or inflammation are present. The best forms of heat are in the form of a warm bath/shower or a moist heating pad. Avoid “dry” heating pads, as they can promote additional swelling and inflammation. As with heat therapy, apply the heat for a maximum of 20-25 minutes per hour. Never go to sleep with a heating pad, as this can result in increased pain, and tissue damage.[/text_output]