Electric stimulation, both EMS (electric muscle stimulation) and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) are still a debacle, for which when I get time a future page will be devoted. However, in short good machines are not available in the USA, and when they are, their software is disabled, hobbling them, so that they can’t run my favorite programs. Those programs being the ones I researched, and tested through trial and error, both on myself, when I did my year of electric stimulation as total body exercise, notes here, and what programs I used regularly in my physical therapy practice before devoting myself full time to Spinal Flow Yoga.

Long story short, the only EMS/TENS machines I currently advocate is the Globus Genesy line, unfortunately it’s overpriced, and I think you need a physicians prescription for the distributer in Florida to send you one. It is awesome, however, so if you can afford it, it’s worth it and what I used for the latter half of my year. The “Globus Traithlon ordered direct from Europe” off ebay is 100% as good and a lot cheaper than the Genesy and being a “sport” rather than “medical” model does not require a physicians prescription. Unfortunately the USA import models have had their progammability feature disabled, thus can’t be made to run my programs. Instead it comes with preset programs that somebody else thinks is best, but that somebody isn’t me. That said, you can order a fully functional Globus Triathlon direct from Italy, and from the UK, off of Ebay for less than the USA import price. I’m not telling anyone to do that, but that’s what my friends do.

The EV-906 is what I used in the beginning of my year. Some of them are good, and they are inexpensive. However, after some years new version, with the same name came out that were pitifully weak. So I have no idea whether you would be getting a good one or bad one.

I absolutely don’t have time to look up the parameters on any given machine a person has, or is thinking about getting. Sorry.

If you only need a two channel machine the Twin Stim 4 (only the 4) is fantastic for the money (~$70) or at least it was the last time I checked. Usability leaves something to be desired and programming is tricky.

As for Compex, I loath them.