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EMS training to relieve back pain

Study 1:

Based on EMS research done by W.-U. Boeckh-Behrens, N. Grützmacher and J. Sebelefsky (University of Bayreuth, 2002).

The progression of social and professional lifestyles in the 21st century has contributed to a rising number of people living with chronic back pain. In the search for an effective intervention and prevention method, electro muscle stimulation (EMS) training has received increasing attention in sports and medical applications. EMS training has its roots in the medical field and was initially used to help patients in their recovery from injuries or to help with the reduction of pain-related symptoms. In the 2000s interest in researching the wider benefits of EMS increased due to significant EMS research discoveries, such as the 2002 EMS research study done by Boeckh-Behrens and colleagues at the University of Bayreuth in Germany.

Research description and outcome

The researchers aimed to identify the effects of complex EMS training on back pain and a total of 49 people (31 women and 18 men with an average age of 47 years), who were suffering from back pain participated in this study. The 49 participants performed EMS training sessions over a period of 5 weeks and were assessed before as well as after the EMS training.

The research results highlighted the following:

A decrease in back pain was observed in 88.7% of participants
Frequency and the intensity of back pain significantly decreased within the training period
75.5% showed improvements in mood and 69.4% noticed an increased vitality
85.7% of the women reported increased body stability and 75.5% felt more relaxed after training

Conclusion

The EMS research findings showed Whole-Body EMS training counters back pain in a very effective way.

The researchers concluded that electrical stimulus activates the major muscle groups and also, more importantly, the deeper muscle groups which are difficult to activate through conventional training methods. The research participants not only reported a reduction of back pain (88.7% of all participants) but also felt an improvement in their mood, vitality and well-being.

Therefore EMS training, as offered by BODYTEC, is proven to be a time saving and effective way to improve overall health.

Study 2:

Based on EMS research done by Weissenfels and colleagues in 2018.

Non-specific lower back pain is a common complaint affecting males and females across all age ranges. Physical exercise has generally been advocated to improve non-specific lower back pain; however, many people cite lack of time or fear of causing more pain and damage.

The following research completed by Weissenfels and colleagues in 2018 determined whether 1 x 20-minute Whole-Body EMS (WB-EMS) session per week can improve symptoms of chronic lower back pain compared to non-training.

Research description and outcome

The primary aim of the research was to determine if 12 weeks of WB-EMS training will reduce lower back pain and frequency and increase core strength.

Thirty participants (age: 40 -70 years) who experience chronic lower back pain agreed to participate in the study. Half of the participants were assigned to the WB-EMS group where they completed 1 x 20 minute EMS session per week for 12 weeks, while the other half were assigned to the control group (CG) where no physical activity was completed and they were instructed to maintain their lifestyle.

The research results highlighted the following:

Pain intensity decreased significantly in the WB-EMS group with no change observed in the CG.
Frequency of lower back pain decreased significantly in the WB-EMS group compared to the CG.
The strength of the trunk extensor (lower back) muscles increased significantly by 15% ± 19% while no change was observed in the CG.

Conclusion

Whole-Body EMS training was found to be a timesaving, low impact, effective training method for reducing non-specific lower back pain compared to no training. WB-EMS also improved the strength of the core muscles which aids in preventing future lower back issues and injuries.