How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for hamstrings muscle pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

In the field of sports, the hamstrings are one of the most important muscle groups, which is why they are subject to constant stress in highly competitive sports, such as football, basketball or tennis. Because of this, injuries such as strains or tears are very common in them.

Fortunately, electrostimulation therapies with TENS and EMS machines can be of great help in dealing with the pain caused by these injuries, which is why we will show you how to use these devices to relieve pain and discomfort in the hamstring muscles.

How to use a TENS machine to relieve hamstring pain?

TENS therapy units are designed for the purpose of relieving pain in athletes and people with muscle, nerve and joint ailments.

Therefore, it has a variety of uses and benefits, among which we can mention:

• Raises the pain threshold: the discharges used by the TENS unit directly affect the pain receptors in the femoral area located in the sciatic nerve and its branches, to increase the resistance to pain during the session and several minutes after it.
• Limits pain-producing cells: through this therapy, the cell groups along the hamstrings, which are responsible for provoking the sensation of pain, are suppressed, producing a sensation of immediate relief in the patient.
• Alterations in the reciprocal innervation: in this way a relaxation of the quadriceps tendon, the semitendinosus tendon and the internal rectus tendon is achieved, causing an analgesic effect.
• Vasodilation: the currents applied on the femoral muscles generate heat, which generates the dilation of the blood vessels that run through the muscle group, creating in turn a feeling of local analgesia, and favoring the maintenance of a feeling of relief minutes after the TENS session.

The aforementioned benefits make transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy a very viable option for relieving pain caused by injuries such as:

• Tear of the biceps femoris tendon
• Muscle trauma
• Contractures
• Cramps
• Contusions

It is important to say that TENS electrotherapy is not intended for the treatment and recovery of injuries, but as a means of relieving pain caused by injuries. Basically, it will not cure the injury, but it will help to minimize the symptoms. Rehabilitation of hamstring injuries should be supervised by a specialist, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation will only make the process more comfortable for the patient.

Best TENS machines for hamstring injury recovery

Here is a list of some of the most commonly used TENS therapy machines on the market, which you can purchase and use to relieve the pain caused by the different injuries that can occur in the femoral region.

One of the best features of the Belifu electro stimulator is its 4 independent channels that allow you to individually treat different areas of the body with the different modes of use available. This electrotherapy machine has 24 programs and 30 intensity levels with different massage modes for pain relief and muscle stimulation.

The Belifu electric massager includes 10 reusable self-adhesive conductive pads and 5 sets of guide wires. The electrodes are coated with a layer of adhesive that gives them perfect adhesion to the skin, and with proper care, can withstand many uses before they need to be replaced.

The AUVON electrostimulation unit is one of the best options for treating nerve and muscle ailments, as well as a great addition to fitness. This is because it combines TENS stimulation technology with EMS technology, making it one of the most versatile devices on the market.

It has a 4-channel independent control mode, through which you can treat different parts of the body with different settings and intensities as required. You can select from 24 preset massage modes, each designed to relieve certain types of pain and produce an overall sense of relief.

The TENS 7000 has one of the most complete models of electrostimulator, which includes a wide variety of functions and accessories. It is a digital unit that combines TENS and EMS technologies together with an innovative dual channel function that allows you to apply these electrostimulation modalities on different parts of the body simultaneously.

The TENS 7000 muscle stimulator includes one of the most complete electrical stimulation therapy packages you will find. It includes 1 TENS 7000 unit, 2 guide cables, 4 packs of reusable pads, 1 9-volt battery, 1 instruction manual and a hard case to carry your electrostimulation equipment wherever you want.

The Med-Fit model BAL-906ª is a very complete rechargeable electrostimulation device of premium quality that has an incredible function of 4 individual channels that will give you a great coverage and a perfect effectiveness when applying different electrical massages simultaneously. It also has a large LCD screen that makes it especially easy to operate, so you can program your sessions with great ease.

It has 24 clinically proven massage programs, which are divided into 12 TENS therapy programs and 12 muscle stimulation training modes. It has a long-life rechargeable lithium battery that will give you a great autonomy of several hours of continuous use, eliminating the extra cost of buying replacement cylindrical batteries.

Spacerest offers its users its newest model of electro stimulator that combines TENS and EMS technologies in a dynamic and compact device that includes 24 reusable electrodes of excellent quality and an incredible 4-channel function that will allow you to apply different modes of use to 4 different areas of the body, or even to 4 different people.

It has an incredibly portable size that will allow you to take it anywhere, and a high-powered rechargeable battery that will give you up to 20 hours of continuous use. It can be connected to AC power through its AC adapter, or to an external battery or laptop through its USB charging port.

How to use an EMS muscle electro stimulator for the femoral?

For the hamstring muscles, EMS therapy is very useful for muscle training, strengthening and rehabilitation. The muscles that will benefit from the application of EMS therapy are the semitendinosus muscle, the semimembranosus muscle and the biceps femoris, from which you can develop strength, flexibility and resistance against future injuries.

In addition, you will be able to enjoy benefits such as:

• Improved posture: strengthening the hamstring muscles generates greater balance and facilitates proper posture, which in turn will help relieve tension in the lower back and much of the spine.
• Prevention of further injury: the recovery of muscle fibers facilitates increased muscle endurance, reducing the chances of future injury.
• Facilitates the drainage of metabolic waste: the electrical impulses provoked by the EMS device promote the process of autophagy, or muscle cleansing, helping the disposal of harmful substances such as used organelles and toxic proteins.
• Improves muscle recovery: the stimulation received by the muscles increases the recovery capacity of the muscle fibers, which in turn considerably reduces the recovery time from injuries.
• Improves blood irrigation by up to 20%, thanks to the vasodilatation produced by the electric shocks, which will increase the capacity of the muscles to receive blood, allowing better oxygenation of the tissues and assimilation of nutrients, strengthening the muscle group of the femoral area.

Best EMS electrostimulators to strengthen femoral muscles

EMS therapy electrostimulators are widely used by medical teams in highly competitive sports, because although they are not indicated for the treatment of pain, it makes a big difference in strength training and muscle definition. For this, some of the following EMS devices are used.

The Compex Sport Elite 2.0 comes to the market as one of the most versatile and complete options to increase the results of physical conditioning and reduce the negative effects of the same through its TENS stimulation technology which allows an adequate management of the odor, reducing the intensity of the same and increasing the mobility and functionality of the muscles.

It includes 10 electrostimulation modes divided into 3 recovery modes, 2 warm-up modes, 1 TENS massage mode and 4 strength training modes. It also has 5 levels of progressive intensity that will help you improve your strength, endurance and combat various ailments caused by exhaustion.

From the FEIHAI brand, you have at your disposal one of the most complete electric massage machines on the market, thanks to its large number of functions. Among these are its 20 predefined massage modes that will allow you to relieve any type of muscle ailment, and its 4-channel function through which you can apply different massages on various parts of the body at the same time.

It has 20 modes of use and 40 adjustable intensity levels, as well as a time controller that allows you to adjust the therapy sessions according to your needs. Its compact size makes it incredibly discreet, so you can take it to the office, on a trip, on the street or wherever you like.

The Laspi brand of products has an electrostimulation machine designed to maximize the results of your workouts through a complete massage therapy provided by TENS and EMS technologies, which will allow you to combat acute and chronic ailments, as well as increase the results of your exercises by stimulating muscle growth.

It has a function of 4 individual channels that will allow you to apply different massage programs in various areas of the body, in addition to 3 programs that together give you more than 20 options between TENS, EMS and recovery massages, 40 levels of intensity and time control function that will allow you to define the duration of each session.

PowerDot 2.0 wireless muscle stimulation electrodes are among the newest and most cutting-edge devices related to the field of physiotherapy, specifically designed to be portable, comfortable and provide an immediate sense of relief to its users. The package includes 2 pre-loaded pods, 2 sets of lead wires, 2 sets of electrode pads, 1 carrying case, 1 USB charging cable and 1 user guide.

To provide one of the fastest and most comprehensive improvements for pain of all types, the PowerDot 2.0 has over 400 different usage modes with different settings, aimed at muscle recovery, performance enhancement and pain relief, which can be adapted according to recent activity, fatigue level and the area to be treated. All these options can be managed through its mobile application, which is available for both Android and iPhone mobiles.

The iReliev electrostimulator offers users the perfect combination of an electrical pulse massage for the relief of pain caused by injury and illness, and a muscle trainer that uses a slightly more powerful current to generate activity in the muscles. Its wireless operating system is managed by a remote control included in the box.

It has 14 operating programmes dedicated to particular functions. 7 are designed for pain relief, 1 is designed to treat arthritis, and the remaining 6 are different muscle conditioning modalities. In addition to the controller, the box includes 2 wireless pods, 2 reusable 3x5 inch adhesive electrodes, a rechargeable lithium battery, a USB charging cable, a carrying case and an instruction manual.

Video: How to place the electrodes pads on the back of the thigh?

Electrodes for hamstring

• For hamstring pain: With this in mind, to treat hamstring pain, you should position the first electrode on the muscle belly of the semitendinosus, in the center of the thigh, while the second electrode should be placed in relation to the section of the muscle group where the pain is concentrated. This can be on a higher or lower portion of the semitendinosus muscle, as well as the semimembranosus muscle or the biceps femoris.
• For hamstring tendonitis: To relieve pain from injuries such as hamstring tendonitis, you should proceed to place one electrode at the highest point of the hamstrings, at the upper junction of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris, just below the gluteal region, and the second electrode at the lower region of the biceps femoris, just above the popliteal fossa.

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Most common types of hamstring injuries

The hamstrings are among the most important muscles in terms of lower body motricity, being responsible for hip extension and knee flexion, and receiving considerable impact in a variety of highly competitive sports.

Because of this, hamstring injuries are very common, and among them we can highlight the following:

• Hamstring strain: occurs when one or more muscles in this region are overstretched, causing injury to the muscle fibers. Its main causes derive from overexertion without proper preparation or warm-up, and can cause pain when extending or flexing the leg, tenderness, swelling and weakness.
• Partial or total rupture: it is a very common injury among highly competitive athletes, which consists of a tearing of the muscle fibers. The intensity of this injury can vary depending on the depth of the tear of the fibers, and can cause swelling, bruising, tenderness and severe pain.
• Hamstring tendonitis: is a consequence of the sudden transition between maximum contraction and maximum stretch of the muscle, causing a sharp and disabling pain just below the gluteal area.
• Femoral nerve impingement: acute pain caused by shortening or compression of the nerve that runs along the femur. This can be felt not only in the hamstrings, but also in the rest of the thigh and even defer to the calf.
• Iliotibial band syndrome: consists of the constant inflammation of the lateral band of the thigh that connects the iliac bone with the external face of the knee, essential for the stability of the lower limbs. This condition can be repetitive to the point of becoming chronic.

Differences between TENS and EMS: Which to use for femoral pain?

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a nerve treatment that uses electrical discharges whose intensity varies between 1 and 250 Hz, to numb the nerve endings responsible for generating the sensation of pain. Its objective is to increase the general resistance to pain and generate a sensation of relief in the affected area.

Unlike TENS, muscle electrostimulation, or EMS, is a physical training and rehabilitation therapy whose objective is to increase the strength of muscles and muscle groups by means of electrical impulses applied directly to them, which promote an increase in muscle mass, elasticity and the rate of recovery of muscle fibers.

With this information, we can conclude that the adequate therapy to alleviate pain caused by hamstring injuries is TENS, because it allows intercepting the nerve impulses from the pain receptors located along the affected muscle. EMS therapy, on the other hand, is not intended to deal with pain, to the point that in injuries that cause pain, muscle contractions provoked by an EMS device may be counterproductive.

Contraindications for the use of electrodes and electrotherapy