Unlocking Recovery and Pain Relief: How EMS Works with Chiropractic Care

/ Lakeside Chiropractic of Lake Norman/

Unlocking Recovery and Pain Relief: How EMS Works with Chiropractic Care

If you’ve ever pulled a muscle, experienced chronic tension, or just needed to bounce back faster after a workout or injury, you may have heard of Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS). But what exactly is EMS, and why is it so effective, especially when used in conjunction with chiropractic care?

Let’s break it down.

What Is EMS?

Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) uses low-level electrical impulses to contract muscles, helping them activate, relax, or recover. Small electrodes are placed on the skin, and gentle currents mimic the way your brain tells muscles to move. EMS is safe, FDA-approved, and widely used in both physical therapy and sports medicine.

Think of it as a workout for your muscles without the strain of actual movement.

Benefits of EMS

Used regularly, EMS can:

  • Relieve muscle tension and spasms

  • Reduce inflammation and swelling

  • Improve blood circulation

  • Enhance muscle recovery and performance

  • Prevent muscle atrophy (weakening) during periods of inactivity

  • Speed up healing from injury or strain

Research published in Physical Therapy shows that EMS can improve muscle strength and function, especially when combined with therapeutic exercise.¹

EMS + Chiropractic = Powerful Healing

Chiropractic care focuses on correcting misalignments in the spine, improving nervous system function, and allowing the body to heal naturally. When combined with EMS, the results are often enhanced:

  • EMS relaxes tight muscles before adjustments, making them easier and more comfortable.

  • It reduces inflammation, supporting longer-lasting chiropractic results.

  • EMS can stabilize and strengthen weak muscles, helping the spine maintain alignment post-adjustment.

  • It aids in pain relief, allowing the nervous system to function more optimally.

According to the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, the integration of EMS with chiropractic treatment significantly improves outcomes in patients with chronic back pain.²

Why It Works

Muscles and nerves work together. If your nervous system isn’t communicating well — whether from spinal misalignment, injury, or chronic tension — EMS helps to reawaken those signals. When paired with chiropractic adjustments, which restore structural and neurological balance, the body gets a complete reset — inside and out.

Ready to experience the benefits of EMS and chiropractic care together?

Make your appointment with Dr. Joyce Battaglia, DC, CACCP today
 LakesideChiro.com/appointment

Sources:

  1. Lake, D.A. “Neuromuscular electrical stimulation. An overview and its application in the treatment of sports injuries.” Sports Med. 1992;13(5):320–336.

  2. Dishman, R., et al. “Effect of Spinal Manipulation with and without Electromyographic Biofeedback Training on Chronic Low Back Pain.” J Chiropr Med. 2002;1(4):157–163.