These can be a little irritation or totally debilitating. If you are healthy and relatively “in shape” you can “work” through the less intense or long-lasting muscle spasms. But if you were in an accident or had a sport or recreational injury and never really re-educated and strengthened the muscles so they returned to their normal balance you would begin experiencing muscle spasms and pain, as you grow older, begin living a more leisure lifestyle or even change occupations.

• A woman now in her mid-fifties presented with pain in her upper back and occasional migraines. Within the intake the only reason for these problems pointed to a fall she had many years ago. At the time, she did suffer with muscle spasms, pain and reduced and difficult movement. After the initial exam and the Paired Stimuli Diagnostic Test it was discovered that it was the low back that had been traumatized and the upper back was overworking trying to maintain balance and function. An initial treatment program was outlined and she began treatment with the Neurocare™ at home two times per day. The upper back pain and spasms were reduced by the end of the first day and she was able to sleep better that night. She continued the treatments for three months. She felt she was completely “cured” in the first month, but it is so important that treatment is continued to re-educate the muscle groups and bring them back into balance. The headaches are gone and she continues to do her chosen profession.

• A man now in his sixties comes to us with muscle spasms in the upper and lower back and numbness in his feet. Within the intake it was discovered that he was in a severe automobile accident in 1968. He had broken his back and neck, fractured his ribcage puncturing his lung in multiple sites and fractured his skull. Most incidences like his, the patient is left paralyzed to some degree. He had no surgeries and was not paralyzed. However, now after many years of a very active life he is retired and has begun suffering from muscle spasms. After the initial exam and the Paired Stimuli Diagnostic Test there was a tremendous imbalance of muscles within his upper and lower back. Within the first week he was sleeping better and the muscle spasms had subsided. However, because of the severity of his injury and the remaining problems he purchased the Neurocare 10004P™.

• A man in his mid-forties presents with bilateral “carpal tunnel syndrome”. Generally when a person has bilateral CTS it is due to muscle spasms in the upper back/neck area. But it is always good to do a Paired Stimuli Diagnostic Test because this test will show the reason for the muscle problems. In testing his right arm compared to his left arm the balance was opposite instead of the same bilaterally and the neck and upper back muscles were in good balance. Upon further intake we found that he was a carpenter and starting his day he hammered with his right hand (his primary hand) and by noon he was so tired he switched to his left hand. With his right hand he was very proficient and he hammered in the nail without even thinking about it. When he switched to his left hand it was unfamiliar and he had to work at hitting the nail. This worked the arms differently and caused the imbalance we found in the PSD test. After working the muscles in his arms and the upper back the balance within the muscles was established without any time-loss from his work or discomfort throughout the 3-month treatment period.

• A professional painter fell four stories while painting and came to us as a quadriplegic. Years since the injury he is still experiencing severe muscle spasms (spasticity) which when they come nearly throw him out of his wheelchair. Because of his paralysis we began him on the Neurocare Spinal Cord Injury program© as well as working with the spasticity. Within the first week, using the unit at home the spasms had been reduced and nearly stopped. He also was able to void his bladder and no longer had to manually stimulate for a bowel movement. He was reclassified as a “high-level” paraplegic as he regained the use of his hands and arms. •

These are only three examples of the type of muscle spasms being helped with the Neurocare1000™ and the Neurocare treatment program©. The specific circumstances are nearly always different but the pain is real and the muscle spasms are very obvious upon palpation and testing. The cause is an imbalance of muscle groups stemming from abroad range of causes.

Neurocare, Inc. has, within its line-up of products, less expensive electrical muscle stimulators (EMS) or neuromuscular electronic stimulators (NMES). However, the cases listed above and many others, especially long-term problems, could not be helped with the any other unit than a Neurocare 1000™.

COMPARISON/DESCRIPTION

ES (electrical stimulator) is a general term for units used to stimulate muscles. There are many types of (ES) on the market. The TENS is separate from the NMES since the indication for TENS is limited to post-surgical pain, but it is still an ES. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) units, per FDA indications, are therapeutic. The indicated uses are achieved by working muscle fiber, the following compares the different units ability to work the inactive or injured muscle fibers versus a “fast twitch” on the active muscle. Some types of ES units are: 1) Direct current, low-voltage; 2) Direct current, high-voltage; 3) Alternating current, low-voltage; 4) Alternating current, high-voltage; 5) Interferential, 6) H-wave; 7) Micro current; and 8) TENS. It requires 30 to 35 volts to achieve any contraction of an active muscle. Increased voltage increases muscle recruitment. It requires more volts to get deeper muscle fibers.

The units listed are multiple names and models, but cover the complete type availability.

• units do nothing more than cause a “fast twitch” of active muscles.
• 7.5 V will work some active muscle fiber, but cannot recruit inactive or muscle in disuse due to injury.
• 9V will work only the active muscle fiber, but cannot recruit inactive or muscle in disuse due to injury.
• 12 V is closest to the clinical models, but can be used at home. Recruits inactive muscle fiber, in disuse due to injury. Can overcome the resistance of inflammation and edema, to recruit muscle. NeuroCare™ are the only 12V portables.
• 110/120 V Clinical model. Recruits inactive muscle fiber, in disuse due to injury. Can overcome the resistance of inflammation and edema, to recruit muscle. Clinic use only, per FDA.
• TENS, 9V will only invoke a “fast twitch” of active muscle, and is FDA indicated for diffusing pain signal, localized post-surgically. Not FDA approved for other uses.

Remember, all machines listed will show a “fast twitch” of muscles. However, muscle recruitment is achieved via fatigue of the muscle fibers. An injured muscle is in disuse and must be recruited to re-education thus achieving wellness. The only unit listed capable of this recruitment is the 12V input NeuroCare™.