A Stronger Back
with EMS-Training
EMS-Training offers an effective and evidence-based option for the prevention and treatment of non-specific back pain. Performed under individual supervision, it strengthens all major muscle groups in the upper and lower back. It requires little time and reduces the subjective perception of intensity.[1,2]
Simultaneous Activation of Agonist and Antagonist
EMS allows for trunk flexors and trunk extensors to be strengthened at the same time. Muscular imbalances - often the cause of back pain - can be prevented or corrected.[3,4] Core strength increases.
Joint-Friendly Strengthening of Deep Muscle Tissues
The electrical impulses are able to reach deep lying muscle structures that stabilise the spine. Muscles such as the multifidus muscle, the transversus abdominis, and obliquus internus abdominis.[5] In combination with simple bodyweight exercises, passive core muscle structures can be reached with effective stimuli and strengthened in a way that is easy on the joints.[6]
Scientifically Proven Efficacy & Safety
Studies show that supervised EMS applications are as effective for the relief non-specific back pain as the so called "gold standard" for conventional back strengthening training - with the added benefit of lower time commitment with just 20 minutes once a week.[1, 6]
Expert Opinions: EMS for Non-Specific Back Pain
Strengthen Core Muscles and Relieve Back Pain
Non-specific back pain, often also referred to as unspecific back pain, can be caused by dysfunctions in the back's muscle structures such as tension, stiffness, or muscular imbalances.[4] The issues often arise from improper strain, typically due to prolonged sitting in the same position, one-sided or heavy physical labor, or even psychological stress.[7]
Electromyostimulation offers a dual approach solution:
By blending passive electric muscle stimulation with active bodyweight exercises, it proves effective in both preventing and treating common patterns of back pain symptoms.
Studies prove: EMS is equally effective as conventional therapy strategies - in a significantly shorter time.[1,2]
EMS provides relief from back pain at least as effectively as multimodal treatment, considered the gold standard, but with a significantly reduced time commitment.
Conclusion
Whole-Body Electromyostimulation...
- ... is an effective and, with a training time of only 20 min/week, a very time-saving alternative to established multimodal treatment models.
Both methods showed a significant decrease in mean pain intensity and a significant increase in maximum isometric upper body strength, with EMS achieving these results in only half the time.
Conclusion
Whole-Body Electromyostimulation...
- ...serves as an equally potent yet more time-efficient alternative to traditional back-strengthening exercises for treating patients with non-specific back pain.
Further Reading on Whole-Body EMS
How does non-specific back pain develop? How is it differentiated from specific back pain diagnoses? What do guidelines recommend as the treatment of choice? And what is EMS' role in prevention and therapy?
- Konrad KL et al. PLoS ONE 15.8:e0236780.
- Weissenfels A et al. Biomed. Res. Int. 2019:5745409.
- Filipovic A et al. J Strength Cond Res. 2012;26(9):2600-2614.
- Chibuzor-Hüls J et al. Pain Medicine. 2020;36(4):40-48.
- Baek SO et al. Ann Rehabil Med. 2014;38 (4):506-513.
- Sutor V and Müller S. EMS training - quo vadis? bodyLIFE by bodyLIFE Medien GmbH 2020;10.
- Back and low back pain. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); available at https://www.informedhealth.org/low-back-pain.html