At Franklin Physical Therapy we offer two different types of electrical stimulation to use in conjunction with therapy sessions: TENS and NMES. Both of these types of stimulation are administered by a small battery operated pack that sends electrical impulses through electrodes which are placed on the patient’s skin.

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): This kind of stimulation is used for short term pain relief. Electrodes are placed on the patient’s skin surrounding the area of pain. The PT then adjusts the portable stimulation unit to the specific parameters to meet the patient’s needs. The electrical current blocks pain signals to the brain and increases endorphins which changes the way the patient perceives pain.

Common conditions treated with TENS:
Low back pain
Tendonitis
Bursitis
Osteoarthritis
Knee pain
Many more

NMES ( Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation): This kind of stimulation is used to retrain and reeducate muscles on how to contract/function. It can also be used to improve range of motion around a joint and prevent muscle weakness and atrophy. Electrodes are placed on the patient’s skin at motor points (the anatomical location where the nerve enters the muscle) of muscles which are not working optimally. The PT then adjusts the portable stimulation unit to the specific parameters to meet the patient’s needs.The electrical current causes muscles which are not able to contract or not fully contract on their own to contract by mimicking signals sent from the central nervous system. This can help build strength after a surgery or long period of muscle disuse.

Common conditions treated with NMES:
Foot drop
Quad weakness post op ACL or other knee surgery
Muscle weakness from stroke, long periods of hospitalization, etc