TENS vs EMS: What are the Differences?
If you’re on the lookout for effective, pain relief, you’ve probably heard the terms EMS therapy or TENS therapy. When it comes to TENS vs EMS, there are some key differences you should know about:
TENS Therapy for Temporary Muscle and Arthritic Pain Relief
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. TENS machines, such as DR-HO’S Pain Therapy System, work by stimulating nerves in the body with gentle electrical pulses. These machines can be small, portable and powered by batteries. In order to use the unit, the user simply has to place self-sticking massage pads on the painful muscles. The electrical pulses then travel through the pads and stimulate the healthy nerves and muscles.
The pulses stimulate the nerves and muscles, causing the muscles to contract and relax. This contraction and relaxing process helps temporarily relieve achy, sore muscles as well as helps symptomatic relief of chronic, intractable pain and pain associated by arthritis. 
EMS Therapy for Improved Muscle Performance and Temporary Increase of Local Blood Circulation
Where TENS therapy works by stimulating the nerves, Electrical Muscle Stimulation targets the muscles. Just as with TENS, EMS is a form of safe, gentle therapy that has been long been used in clinics. EMS machines release a pulsing electrical current that causes muscles to contract and release. This simulation mimics the natural action of the muscles during physical activity. Like TENS, EMS has many positive benefits.
1. It helps to temporarily increase local blood circulation by stimulating healthy muscles.
2. It can help improve muscle performance by stimulating healthy muscles.
3. Finally, the combination of EMS and TENS will help symptomatic relief of chronic, intractable pain and arthritic pain, while at the same time temporarily increasing local blood circulation in your healthy muscles.
EMS has such a soothing effect on muscles, that it’s become a very popular post-workout tool. This is due to the fact that it improves muscle performance by temporarily increasing local blood circulation. As we workout, we contract and release our muscles which helps build strength. Consequently, EMS can help with muscle performance.
Can TENS and EMS Be Combined?
Even though TENS and EMS are different, they can be combined into one unit. Devices like DR-HO’S Pain Therapy System Pro provide the dual benefits of both TENS and EMS. Because of this combination, this unit is ideal for temporary pain relief and increased local blood circulation.
By using electrical wave patterns that constantly change, a combined EMS and TENS unit can both temporarily relieve pain and temporarily increase local circulation at the same time. This stimulation will also stimulate healthy muscles to improve muscle performance, which can help recovery after a workout.
After a workout, our muscles will usually have microscopic tears. While this is totally normal and helps them heal stronger, the tears can become inflamed and painful. By using the Pain Therapy System Pro to temporarily increase local circulation and temporarily relieve the pain of these sore and achy muscles.
Learn More About TENS vs EMS Therapy!
If you’d like more information about how TENS devices work, Download the DR-HO’S TENS Buyer’s Guide, and feel free to contact us for more information or help to manage your chronic pain today! Read TENS Machine: This is Everything You Need to Know for more information on TENS therapy, TENS machines and EMS.
Sources:
1. Medicine Net. “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for Pain Management”. https://www.medicinenet.com/transcutaneous_electrical_nerve_stimulation/article.htm
