Since many muscle stimulators are available on the market, and each is suitable for specific needs, we have created this purchase guide to show you the criteria for choosing this device.
At the end of the reading, we hope choosing the best muscle stimulator will be easier and faster for you.
At the end of the exercises, the sore muscles tell you that you have done a great workout. However, no one would want to spend days and days with aching muscles in the body. If you have suffered from muscle pain, you have probably also resorted to massages to solve the problem.
These devices transmit electrical impulses to sore muscles to cause them to contract and relax. Thanks to muscle stimulators, many people can relieve pain to resume training the next day.
Table of Contents
What is a Muscle Stimulator?
We are constantly under stress due to our modern lifestyle, which prevents us from resting to regain strength. Sleep deprivation leads to fatigue of the muscular and nervous systems, with the risk of causing serious health problems that cannot be ignored, including chronic fatigue syndrome, severe pain, nervous breakdown, etc.
And it is precisely for this reason that an electrical muscle stimulator is used, which involves using a device created specifically for this purpose: the muscle stimulator. An electrical device allows the muscles to contract by sending electrical impulses to the body.
This device is beneficial for speeding up muscle recovery after a long day of work or intense physical training sessions. It also helps relax muscles, calm the nervous system, and restore muscle strength.
Massages are a great stress reliever after a long day. An electro-stimulator is composed of a small electronic device to which the electrodes are connected, with or without wires. The larger models are designed for medical use and can be found in massage and therapeutic centers.
On the other hand, more compact models have been designed for home use that provides the basic functions of any professional muscle stimulator.
Connect the electrodes to the affected muscle group and start the device to use this device. In this way, electrical impulses are sent to the muscles, which contract, and when the impulses stop, the muscle group relaxes.
What is a muscle stimulator for?
Muscle stimulators are often used in physical therapy or other rehabilitation settings; they mainly relieve pain and provide motor re-education. In most cases, this treatment is performed by electrical stimulation.
The device wires connected to the electrodes are applied to treat the muscle group. The electric current is sent from the device to the electrodes and transmitted to the muscle tissue, causing a sensory or motor response. But in what fields is electrical muscle stimulation used?
For Pain Relief: Electrostimulation can be used to reduce pain. There are two theories as to why it can relieve pain. First, the Gate Control theory states that pain signals are sent through the nerves to the brain but must go through a gate.
It is theorized that muscle stimulators can pass through this gate, blocking the nerves that send the pain sensation. Another theory states that the stimulation causes the brain to release natural pain relievers, such as endorphins and enkephalins, resulting in pain relief.
Scientific studies have shown a marked increase in these chemicals in the body after using electrical devices for muscle stimulators.
For motor re-education: electrical stimulation is also used to re-educate muscles that have had problems with contractions. It is used in various settings and for different therapies but is most commonly used for people who have had a stroke or have undergone orthopedic surgery.
Many times, these patients have difficulty moving muscles or joints. When the electrical impulse is sent to the muscle tissue via the device, the muscle contracts without the patient’s help with the right settings. By doing this, the subject actively attempts to contract the muscle, again ” teaching ” the brain to do so independently.
What did the researchers say?
Although there has been a lot of research on muscle stimulators, their clinical efficacy is still questioned. Compared to the placebo effect, some studies have shown few benefits inherent in muscle stimulators.
Muscle stimulator is often classified as an ” alternative therapy ” due to the lack of clear evidence of their effectiveness. However, other studies have instead shown the exact opposite.
For example, a study conducted in 2014 on patients suffering from acute and moderate pain showed that muscle stimulators clinically significantly reduced pain severity. However, even today, research continues to ascertain the real effectiveness of the treatment.
How to choose the best muscle stimulator
Is it the right device for my needs? Why do some cost so much more than others? For example, do I choose a muscle stimulator?
The questions are many, and the market offers a wide selection of products. For this reason, choosing the most suitable model is not easy, especially if you are a beginner. That is why we have tried to group all the most important information to facilitate your choice, starting from your goals.
Sport: the muscle stimulators are designed for amateur and professional athletes who train regularly for at least 4/5 days a week. The programs offered by a muscle stimulator of this type are designed to increase strength, improve muscle fiber’s capacity for prolonged effort, or help recover after intense physical activity.
Fitness: muscle stimulators are devices suitable for all those looking to improve their physical or aesthetic shape, improving muscle tone with less frequent training. The programs offered by muscle stimulators for abdominal fitness tone the body and balance the silhouette with well-developed and elegant muscles.
Weight loss and beauty: the emphasis is on improving muscle tone, the appearance of the skin, its firmness, and muscle relaxation. The devices designed specifically for this type of treatment offer the possibility of obtaining toned and smoother skin. In addition, the programs facilitate firming, drainage, and lipolysis.
Pain relief and motor rehabilitation: there is no doubt that muscle stimulators can be very useful during rehabilitation or physical therapy. All the greatest sportsmen use it, which is certainly not a coincidence. These devices are exactly like those used by doctors or physiotherapists. And these are treatments indicated for those who suffer from upper or lower back pain, in case of epicondylitis, knee pain, and arthritis.
What criteria to choose from?
Better a 2 or 4-channel device? This is one of the first questions that those who buy the best muscle stimulator suitable for their needs ask themselves. The question is straightforward, and a 2-channel muscle stimulator allows you to simultaneously stimulate two muscle groups (for example, both thighs) using the same program for both.
The devices that provide 2×2 stimulation are 2-channel units connected to Y-shaped cables. This allows you to stimulate four muscle areas simultaneously, like a 4-channel device. However, the power for each muscle group is halved. The 4-channel devices, on the other hand, allow you to simulate up to 4 muscle groups simultaneously.
The advantage of a 4-channel device is using it on different body parts simultaneously, saving time and without having the power.
In addition, the 2 + 2 devices can work with two different stimulation programs on two different regions (for example, you can use a recovery program for the quadriceps and a program for the definition of the abdominals).
Quantities and Types of programs
Each professional muscle stimulator has a specific number of programs or treatment sessions predefined by the manufacturer.
Pay particular attention to the programs included in the device you intend to purchase by ensuring it suits the type of therapy you wish to follow (sports, fitness, rehabilitation, etc.).
In general, the best models offer higher quality and quantity of programs. Depending on the product category, purchasing models are more suited to those who practice sports, fitness, or other treatments. Always check the real number of programs available for each device.
Device power supply
There are generally two types of devices: those powered by battery q those powered by electricity. Battery-powered ones generally use 2 to 3 AA or AAA batteries.
This type of device is generally the simplest, with two channels. However, battery life tends to decrease with the greater intensity of electrical impulses, even less than ten sessions in simpler devices.
However, considering the constant use of a battery-operated device and the cost of replacing them, the final price of this device exceeds the electric-powered one. For this reason, we always recommend purchasing devices powered by an electric cable unless there are special needs.
The Best Muscle Stimulators
Below you will find the most interesting offers on the market, carefully analyzed to help you find the right muscle stimulator.
- Need Prescription Strength Pain Relief? A TENS unit muscle stimulator and TENS machine...
- Over 3M TENS 7000 Devices Sold... A consumer over the counter favorite back pain relief...
- A Leader Since 2008... A 15+ year favorite TENS device among medical professionals for...
- Professional TENS Machine: The AUVON Electric Massager can excite and stimulate the...
- TENS Pads with Upgrade Gel: The low-impedance solid gel has been upgraded to the...
- Upgrade 24 Choices for Pain Relief: The AUVON electronic TENS device has as many as 24...
- Pain Relief Machine: The rechargeable electric muscle massager can stimulate the sensory...
- Up to 20 Modes: Pre-set modes offer you hammering, kneading, shiatsu, and more choices to...
- Independent Mode Control: You can set separate modes and intensities for channel A and...
- In order to help you get in the best shape of your life, our team has designed the...
- The solution is simple: 15 minutes of the device twice a day and you are going to see the...
- The product allows you to train your muscles and sculpt your body just the way you want...
- TENS and EMS Combination Unit: AUVON TENS PMS EMS device combines two therapies in one...
- Independent Dual Channel: You can choose different modes and levels for channel A and...
- Multi-Functional with 24 Modes: 20 levels of intensity, 24 preprogrammed massage modes...
- Multi-functional 3-in-1 TENS EMS Unit: AVCOO 3-in-1 muscle stimulator for pain relief...
- User-friendly TENS Muscle Relaxer with Dual Channel & 40 Intensities: With a pattern of a...
- Professional TENS Pads in Multi-shape: Crafted with industry-leading American gel, AVCOO...
- Multifunctional Tens Massager with 24 Preprogrammed Massage Modes for Pain and Muscle...
- Non Invasive, Non Drug Choice for Relieving Pain. Great Device You Can Use at Home for...
- A/B Dual Channels with 24 Modes, 20 level Intensity and Time Control. relax Any Time...
- 2-in-1TENS Unit: AVCOO TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator combines TENS and EMS functions for...
- Slim & Portable: This mini dual-channel TENS unit for back pain with memory function just...
- 30 Modes, 30 Intensity Levels, 30h of Usage: 30 Modes offers you various therapeutic...
- LARGE LCD TENS DEVICE : Our TENS unit with Large LCD screen give you a much easier reading...
- MULTI-FUNCTIONAL WITH 24 MODE : This muscle stimulator with 24 TENS EMS combination modes...
- INDEPENDENT A/B DUAL CHANNELS : You can set separate modes and intensities for channel A...
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.