What Is Electric Muscle Stimulation Therapy?
Electric muscle stimulation (EMS) is a therapeutic technique that uses low-level electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions in targeted areas of the body. These controlled signals mimic the natural nerve impulses your nervous system sends to muscles, prompting them to contract and relax in a rhythmic pattern that supports healing.
EMS is used in both rehabilitation and performance contexts. In a chiropractic setting, it is most commonly applied to address acute or chronic muscle pain, reduce spasm, improve local circulation, and support the reactivation of muscles that have become inhibited following injury or periods of inactivity.
The therapy is delivered using small adhesive electrode pads placed on the skin over the target muscle group. The electrical current is adjusted to a comfortable, therapeutic level, and most patients describe the sensation as a light pulse or tingling.
How We Use EMS Therapy at Evolve Wellness
At Evolve Wellness, electric muscle stimulation is used as a complement to chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue work, not as a standalone treatment. The clinical team evaluates the pattern of your pain, the muscle groups involved, and how those areas are responding before incorporating EMS into your care plan.
Evolve Wellness is led by Dr. Jenson Gillette, DC, CCEP, who holds a Master's degree in Sports Rehabilitation from Logan University, alongside Dr. Marija Popadic, DC, Webster Certified, and Dr. Heather Graham, DC, who brings over 25 years of chiropractic experience. Together, the team takes a root-cause approach to care, using EMS where it fits the clinical picture rather than applying it by default.
EMS is particularly useful when muscle guarding is preventing a patient from tolerating or responding to manual therapy. By reducing spasm and improving tissue extensibility first, subsequent adjustments and soft tissue treatments tend to be more effective.
What to Expect During an EMS Session
Step 1: Placement and Setup
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: Integration with Your Visit
What EMS Therapy Can Help With
EMS at Evolve Wellness is commonly used for:
- Muscle spasms and chronic tightness: Particularly in the low back, neck, and upper shoulders, where guarding often compounds the original complaint
- Injury rehabilitation and post-surgical recovery: Supporting muscle re-activation and reducing inhibition in areas that have become weak or unresponsive
- Circulation and inflammation: Increasing local blood flow to promote tissue repair and reduce swelling in acute injury presentations
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The sensation is typically described as a mild pulse or tingling. The intensity is always adjusted to a comfortable level. Patients with low pain tolerance or sensitivity generally find EMS one of the easier modalities to tolerate.
Both use electrical stimulation, but they work differently. TENS primarily targets nerve fibers to interrupt pain signals. EMS targets the muscle itself, producing actual muscle contractions. In a clinical setting, EMS is used when the goal is to reduce spasm, improve muscle function, or support recovery, not just manage pain signals.
That depends on the condition. EMS is rarely the primary treatment at Evolve Wellness and is usually applied as part of a broader care plan. Your chiropractor will give you a clear picture of how many visits to expect based on your specific presentation.
Yes, and it commonly is. At Evolve Wellness, EMS is often used alongside chiropractic adjustments, myofascial release, and soft tissue work. It is also used in conjunction with dry needling for patients who have significant muscle guarding or tension alongside trigger point involvement.
Evolve Wellness operates on a cash-pay basis. Superbills are available upon request so patients can submit to their insurer for potential reimbursement.
Book Electric Muscle Stimulation Therapy in Nashville
Evolve Wellness serves patients across Nashville, Green Hills, 12 South, Brentwood, Franklin, and the surrounding Middle Tennessee area. The chiropractic team is accepting new patients for EMS therapy and chiropractic care.
