What is the difference between NMES and TENS?

 

Simply put, NMES, or neuromuscular electrical stimulation, also known as EMS (electrical muscle stimulator), causes muscle contractions, and TENS produces a sensation to compete with the pain sensation. NMES is provided by a device that attaches to electrodes, which are placed onto your skin over a muscle you want to stimulate.  Muscle stimulation causes the muscle to contract the way it would if you were exercising the muscle, so NMES can help with a muscle that has gotten smaller (atrophy) or suffers from spasms or swelling (edema). TENS is a handheld instrument that sends an electrical impulse to the nerves in the skin on the painful area. When it does its job, you feel a buzzing sensation instead of your usual pain.

 

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