SpineFITyoga

Favorite Electric Stim Programs

Updated 2-2-18

For programmable four channel Globus brand electrical stimulation machines. Can be adapted with other brands if you know what you are doing, and if the machine is capable. Most machines are not capable. However, if you only need two channels the InTENSity Twin Stim 4 is able to do almost all the Globus can at a fraction of the cost.

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 Triathlon 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.

As for Compex machines, I loath them.

10-50-10 (program name)

  • Type of stimulation: EMS
  • Number of phases: 1
  • Phase duration: 10
  • Type of stimulation: Intermittent
  • Type of modulation: Constant
  • Workout frequency: 120Hz 
  • Workout pulse width: 450 uS
  • Ramp up duration: 2500 mS
  • Workout duration: 10s
  • Ramp down duration: 500mS
  • Rest stimulation: type: Constant
  • Rest frequency: 5Hz
  • Rest duration: 50s 

Comments

You can maybe see that if possible I like to name my programs so that I can remember what parameters are in them. For example “10-50-10” means it’s 10 seconds on (of stimulation), 50 seconds of rest, for a total treatment time of 10 minutes. The following EMS program “5-15-10” is 5 seconds on, 15 seconds “off” or rest, for a total of 10 minutes.

This has been my “go to” strength, pain, and almost everything parameters for years. Adapted as faithfully as possible from the infamous sprint coach Charlie Francis, from his book The Charlie Francis Training System. Charlie did not have any rest stimulation, but it’s a required input on the Globus machines. However, you can turn the rest stimulation down to zero when in use if you wish, and I sometimes do.

5-15-10

  • Type of stimulation: EMS
  • Number of phases: 1
  • Phase duration: 10
  • Type of stimulation: Intermittent
  • Type of modulation: Constant
  • Workout frequency: 120Hz 
  • Workout pulse width: 450 uS
  • Ramp up duration: 2500 mS
  • Workout duration: 5s
  • Ramp down duration: 500mS
  • Rest stimulation: type: Constant
  • Rest frequency: 5Hz
  • Rest duration: 15s

Comments

10-10-10 (headache favorite)

  • Type of stimulation: EMS
  • Number of phases: 1
  • Phase duration: 10
  • Type of stimulation: Intermittent
  • Type of modulation: Constant
  • Workout frequency: 120Hz 
  • Workout pulse width: 450 uS
  • Ramp up duration: 2500 mS
  • Workout duration: 10s
  • Ramp down duration: 500mS
  • Rest stimulation: type: Constant
  • Rest frequency: 5Hz
  • Rest duration: 10s 

Comments

5hz-10

  • Type of stimulation: TENS
  • Number of phases: 1
  • Phase Duration: 10
  • Program Name: Symmetric TENS
  • Type of modulation: Constant
  • Workout freq: 5Hz
  • Workout pulse width: 450 uS 

Comments

TENS programs, unlike EMS, generally do not have an on and off period. Thus there are less settings to input, and the my naming just denotes the impulses per seconds (aka “rate” or “hz”) times the treatment time I program the machine for. In this case 10 minutes.

5 hz, is according to my self-testing, and in accordance with the research, the ideal for increasing blood flow to a region via aerobic type muscle contractions. As opposed to EMS’ more strength training type of contractions.

5hz-30

  • Type of stimulation: TENS
  • Number of phases: 1
  • Phase Duration: 30
  • Program Name: Symmetric TENS
  • Type of modulation: Constant
  • Workout freq: 5Hz
  • Workout pulse width: 450 uS

Comments

fmtens-10

  • Type of stimulation: TENS
  • Number of phases: 1
  • Phase Duration: 10
  • Program Name: Symmetric TENS
  • Type of modulation: Frequency Modul.
  • Start workout freq: 2Hz
  • End workout freq: 80 Hz
  • Workout pulse width: 450 uS
  • Workout duration: 5s

Comments

The letters “fm” in this instance stands for “frequency modulated.” If I have a patient with any anxiety about electrical stimulation, this is the program I’ll give them the first time. It’s probably not best for increasing function or decreasing pain, though it’s pretty good for pain, it is IME best for feeling good.

I came up with it one night sitting at home, with my Globus machine on me, programming, and reprogramming, what I thought would feel best. One of my patients, after ten minutes said, “you’re going to put massage therapists out of business with that one.”

fmtens-30

  • Type of stimulation: TENS
  • Number of phases: 1
  • Phase Duration: 30
  • Program Name: Symmetric TENS
  • Type of modulation: Frequency Modul.
  • Start workout freq: 2Hz
  • End workout freq: 80 Hz
  • Workout pulse width: 450uS
  • Workout duration: 5s

Comments

Same as fmtens-10, except 30 minutes instead of ten.