United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My husband's occupational therapist and Dr Nath have decided to start doing electrical stimulation therapy on my husband's bicep and shoulder in a few weeks. Has anyone had this done? Did it speed up the recovery at all? Was it painful? Any info would be appreciated!

Jessica

It doesn't hurt and I think it helps.

I agree that it makes sense to use e-stim... and it certainly can't hurt. Since nerves regrow so s--l---o---w--------l-----------------y, anything that can be done to keep the muscles contracting in the meantime is the way to go. I think e-stim makes sense both before & after surgery, but we didn't know about it until after.

John is also doing biofeedback, which will help strengthen the brain-nerve signal, especially if the targeted muscle isn't yet showing the contraction. (btw, our insurance didn't cover the biofeedback unit or training as they say it's still experimental. I have a letter from Mayo & I'm fighting BCBS over it.) Biofeedback wouldn't make sense until nerves are expected to be firing.

Take care, & keep asking questions,

Ellen

My son is using the TES stim which helps the muscle fibres improve their tone and size and quality without actually contracting the muscle -very useful for atrophied muscles or preventing atrophy after surg or getting muscles built up before surg. I saw a presentation by Dr.Pape about her experience using this technique and results in her patients- it was really amazing. My son is 12 yrs and we are thrilled to have found this new helpful technique and it is not painful for him while he uses it. I think it's a good thing.

I use TES every night, unless I am away or had to many bever a ges, and NMES a few times a week. I also an getting SCENAR treatment from my physio. It has been helping a great deal. Just a word to the wise, only allow what you are comfortable with, no pain no gain theory is NOT true! My physio will not use that! GO with your gut! Any questions feel free to email me!

Court xo