- How to use EMS to strengthen the pelvic muscles?
- Best electrostimulation devices for the pelvic floor
- Video: How to place electrodes pads to reduce pelvic weakness?
- More types of EMS electro stimulators and TENS machines you should know about
- What are the causes of pelvic weakness?
- What is electrotherapy and how can it help control urinary incontinence?
- Why should you strengthen your pelvic floor?
- Contraindications for the use of electrodes and electrotherapy
The pelvic floor is a group of tissues of various types that form a kind of hammock on which the pelvic organs rest, and like most muscles, can be strengthened or weakened by various causes, causing difficulty urinating and a feeling of heaviness, among other sensations.
In these cases, it is necessary to take measures to develop and strengthen the pelvic floor tissue in order to avoid these problems. This is where treatments such as TENS and EMS electrotherapy come in. So we will teach you everything you need to know about pelvic floor weakness and how to use electrotherapy to strengthen these tissues.
How to use EMS to strengthen the pelvic muscles?
The application of moderate frequencies during EMS therapy helps to strengthen the pelvic floor, providing a number of health and quality of life benefits for both male and female patients.
Benefits
This musculature provides support to a large number of organs, which require stability to maintain their optimal positions and function properly. It is therefore necessary to maintain the strength of the pelvic floor, in addition to providing benefits such as:
- Prevent urinary incontinence
- Improve sexual performance
- Improves body posture
- Protects the body from high-impact sports
- Promotes natural childbirth
What intensity to use?
Because the pelvic floor muscles are highly innervated by the sympathetic nerve chain, it is a very sensitive area in which the intensity of electrical impulses, in order to generate a muscle contraction that does not produce pain sensation.
For this, it is necessary to have a low intensity EMS device, which generates pulses with a variable intensity between 3 Hz and 40 Hz in pulses of between 200 and 250 microseconds.
Best electrostimulation devices for the pelvic floor
We now present you with a list of the best electrostimulation devices you can use to improve urinary incontinence and strengthen the pelvic floor that you can choose from:
- Type: TENS
- Channels: -
- Modes/Programs: 6 Modes
- Intensity: 20 Levels
- Wireless: Yes
- Heat Therapy: No
- Battery: Rechargeable Lithium
- Electrodes: 6 Pads
- Display: Digital
- Size: Not specified
- Reduces pain symptoms
- Accelerates recovery from sports injuries
- Wireless electrodes
- Rechargeable battery
- Portable and small size
- Does not specify size and weight
- Battery life not specified
- Not suitable for muscle hypertrophy
It has 6 modes of use and 20 levels of intensity, which can be adapted to any part of the body according to the intensity of the pain and the size of the treated area. It does not require the use of an application or cables to work, as its electrodes are automatically connected to the remote control of the device, which has a touch screen that allows you to visualise and control the modes of use in a very simple way.
- Type: Combo
- Channels: 2
- Modes/Programs: 35 Programs
- Intensity: 50 Levels
- Wireless: No
- Heat Therapy: No
- Battery: 3 AAA batteries included
- Electrodes: 4 Pads
- Display: Digital
- Size: Not specified
- Accelerates recovery from sports injuries
- TENS+EMS Combo
- Portable and small size
- Improves blood circulation
- Includes user manual
- Does not specify size and weight
- No heat therapy
- Powered by AAA batteries
This device is powered by 3 AAA batteries that are included in the package. It does not require frequent changes or recharging, due to its efficient power consumption. Additionally, it has a dual channel function, so you can work different parts of the body simultaneously as required.
- Type: TENS
- Channels: -
- Modes/Programs: 4 Programs
- Intensity: 15 Levels
- Wireless: Yes
- Heat therapy: No
- Battery: 2 AAA Batteries
- Electrodes: 6 Pads
- Display: No display
- Size: 8.86" x 5.39" x 1.77" - 0.92 lbs
- Control from mobile app
- Reduces pain symptoms
- Includes user manual
- Improves joint mobility
- Portable and small size
- No screen included
- Few types of programs
- Not suitable for muscle hypertrophy
It features 4 effective and comprehensive electrotherapy programmes, including WiTouch's unique patented treatment programme; each programme offers 15 levels of intensity, with a professional-grade power output ranging from 0 - 100mA. The package includes the WiTouch device, 3 pairs of gel pads, 2 AAA batteries, a mini screwdriver to access the battery compartment and a quick start guide.
- Type: TENS
- Channels: Dual
- Modes/Programs: 8 Modes
- Intensity: 25 Levels
- Wireless: Yes
- Heat Therapy: No
- Battery: 3 AAA Batteries
- Electrodes: 4 Pads
- Display: Digital
- Size: 2.14" x 5.5" x 7.08" - 0.33 lbs
- Includes carrying bag
- Improves joint mobility
- Portable and small size
- Reduces pain symptoms
- Good quality
- Few types of programs
- Not suitable for muscle hypertrophy
- Battery operated
It has an interesting session timer function that allows you to adjust the duration of each therapy up to a maximum of 60 minutes. Its compact size allows it to be carried in your pocket, so you can take it with you from home to work, or on the road, and use it whenever you need it.
- Type: Combo
- Channels: -
- Modes/Programs: 6 Programs
- Intensity: 20 Levels
- Wireless: Yes
- Heat Therapy: No
- Battery: Rechargeable Lithium
- Electrodes: 2 Pads
- Display: No display
- Size: 2.0" x 1.7" x 0.5" - 0.04 lb
- TENS+EMS Combo
- Accelerates recovery from sports injuries
- Portable and small size
- Improves joint mobility
- Rechargeable battery
- Does not specify battery life
- Display not included
- Non-universal electrode replacements
Its ergonomic design allows you to position the electrode almost anywhere on the body, so you can apply the electrical impulses to biceps, triceps, shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles and any other area requiring treatment. It has 6 modes of use and 20 intensity levels, which can be easily adjusted from the two-button control built into the pad.
- Type: TENS
- Channels: -
- Modes/Programs: Unspecified
- Intensity: Not specified
- Wireless: Yes
- Heat Therapy: No
- Battery: Rechargeable Lithium
- Electrodes: 2 Pads
- Display: No Display
- Size: 1.42" x 3.27" x 6.22" - 0.10 lbs
- Reduces pain symptoms
- Includes user manual
- Portable and small size
- Wireless electrodes
- Rechargeable battery
- No battery life specified
- No intensity levels specified
- No display included
Its efficient use of TENS technology allows it to block pain signals before they reach the brain, making it a safe method of treating ailments. It also has a long-lasting lithium battery and an energy-efficient function, which switches the device off every 20 minutes. One of the best devices on the market in terms of portability, discretion and functionality.
- Type: TENS
- Channels: -
- Modes/Programs: 20 Modes
- Intensity: 15 Levels
- Wireless: Yes
- Heat Therapy: No
- Battery: Rechargeable Lithium
- Electrodes: 4 Pads
- Display: No display
- Size: Not specified
- Wireless electrodes
- Reduces pain symptoms
- Includes carrying bag
- Includes user manual
- Rechargeable battery
- Does not specify measurements and weight
- Not suitable for muscle hypertrophy
- Battery life not specified
Upon purchase, you will receive not one, but two TENS devices, along with 4 gel pads, 2 sets of interchangeable batteries, 1 storage case and 1 instruction manual. This is one of the best cordless massage machines you will find, providing immediate relief for any type of ailment.
- No. of Programs: Not specified
- Material: Silicone
- Power Supply: Not specified
- Size: One Size
- Heat Effect: Not specified
- Reduces pain symptoms
- Improves joint mobility
- Improves blood circulation
- Rechargeable battery
- Portable and small size
- No materials specified
- One size fits all
The package includes only the electro massage garment, so you will need a TENS or EMS electrotherapy unit to use it. Its compatibility with both types of electrotherapy makes it the ideal choice for both fitness and treatment of various ailments.
- No. of Programs: 8 Modes
- Material: Not specified
- Power Source: Rechargeable lithium battery
- Size: L/XL
- Heat Effect: Yes
- TENS+EMS Combo
- With heat therapy
- Rechargeable battery
- Portable and small size
- Improves blood circulation
- No material specified
- Battery life not specified
- Does not include carrying bag
The belt does not require connection to operate, which makes it portable and practical, in addition to having a low-profile design for use at any time. It is powered by a lithium battery and has 8 modes of use that cover a wide range of intensities.
- Type: TENS
- Channels: Dual
- Modes/Programs: 20 Modes
- Intensity: 20 Levels
- Wireless: Yes
- Heat Therapy: Yes
- Battery: Rechargeable Lithium (up to 10 hours)
- Electrodes: 8 Pads
- Display: Digital
- Size: 4.12" x 2.24" x 0.43" - 1.54 lbs
- Reduces pain symptoms
- Rechargeable battery
- Includes user manual
- Portable and small size
- Includes carrying bag
- Not for muscle hypertrophy
- No heat therapy
- No touch screen included
It has 20 modes of use that apply different types of massages oriented to treat a wide variety of ailments, and with its independent channel control mode you will have the possibility of configuring different programs for each of the channels individually, to apply different types of massages in various areas of the body.
Video: How to place electrodes pads to reduce pelvic weakness?
Electrodes for pelvic floor
More types of EMS electro stimulators and TENS machines you should know about
What are the causes of pelvic weakness?
Pelvic floor weakness is a problem that mainly affects women, since their physiognomy makes them more vulnerable to suffer from this condition, in addition to the fact that its main causes affect them directly, although in certain cases it can also affect men.
The main causes of pelvic floor dysfunction are the following:
- Pregnancy and childbirth: the tension caused in the pelvic muscles during childbirth often generates weakness once the process is over.
- Obesity: the constant excess of tension caused by overweight can generate weakness in the pelvic floor.
- Radiation treatments: some radiation treatments destroy healthy cells, causing pelvic floor problems ranging from urinary incontinence to fertility problems.
- Surgery: depending on how invasive the procedure is, the recovery period can lead to considerable pelvic muscle weakness.
- Aging: in conjunction with many muscle groups, as you age, the pelvic floor muscles progressively lose strength.
- Overload: overexertion caused by heavy lifting or other physically demanding activities can generate problems in the pelvic floor causing incontinence problems and other symptoms.
What is electrotherapy and how can it help control urinary incontinence?
Electrotherapy is a physiotherapeutic method that can be oriented to multiple purposes depending on the method of application. It is useful both for the strengthening of muscular tissues and for the treatment of ailments caused by different origins.
The treatment of urinary incontinence by means of TENS and EMS electrotherapy techniques works in a similar way, although it is necessary to highlight the distinctions between both treatments and their effects on the bladder and pelvic organs, in order to apply an optimal therapy.
TENS
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a method of physiotherapy aimed at treating pain caused by various types of trauma or disease, in addition to promoting the release of endorphins and relaxation of superficial tissues.
Its usefulness for the treatment of urinary incontinence lies in its ability to inhibit the electrical impulses of the peripheral nerves that coordinate the contractions of the bladder, sphincter and pelvic floor to achieve the micturition reflex. This reflex can be overridden by direct interruption of impulses in preganglionic efferent neurons.
EMS
EMS, or Electro Muscle Stimulation, serves as a form of training and physical therapy that uses medium to high intensity currents with the goal of creating contractions in muscle tissue that increase its resistance and elasticity, substantially strengthening the affected area.
The benefit of pelvic floor muscle training can be seen in the reduction of urinary incontinence problems, as well as in the alleviation of conditions such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. The effect of EMS electrical impulses is focused on the puborectalis, pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus muscles.
Why should you strengthen your pelvic floor?
The pelvic floor is a muscle group that supports a large number of organs, so its resistance and tone is of great importance, since it helps prevent a large number of health problems.
The health of the pelvic floor helps to avoid incontinence problems, bladder and rectal prolapse and sexual dysfunction problems, among others, allowing us to enjoy a better quality of life and avoid situations where incontinence can play against us.