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Patterned Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation (PENS)
Shared by Mark Weber -
A posting to the email support groups
I have been using a PENS unit
3 times a week for several months. PENS stands for "Patterned Electrical
Neuromuscular Stimulation".
The inventor of PENS took EMG readings from various muscle groups in
"normal" people while they were using the muscles. For instance, he took
EMG readings from the 2 major lower leg muscles as people walked.
He then determined the average firing rate and intensity for each of the
2 major lower leg muscles during walking. He also determined the pattern
of firing of the 2 muscles--how long and at what intensities during the
time the calf muscle fires
before it releases and the muscle in the front of the lower leg fires.
What intensity and for how long does that muscle fire? What is the
pattern of firing of the muscles of the lower leg?
With the answers to those questions, a unit was created to send
electrical impulses to the 2 major muscles of the lower leg in the same
pattern as found in the average walking person.
My PT simply increases the amount of electrical current going to my
muscles (via electrical sticky pads) to the highest amount that I can
tolerate comfortably, and my lower leg "walks" normally for a 20 minute
period per session.
I have noticed a reduction in spasticity in my lower leg and ankle, as
well as far fewer lower leg cramps since I started using PENS. Coupled
with a solid PT program, my walking has improved somewhat. I intend to
continue PENS and PT until the summer, when my kids are home from
school, & I won't have the time to go to therapy.
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