Product Manual

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Chapter 14 : ELECTRODE PLACEMENT
The placement of electrodes can be one of the most important parameters in
achieving success with DIGITAL EMS therapy. Of utmost importance is the will-
ingness of the clinician to try the various styles of electrode placement to find
which method best fits the needs of the individual patient.
Every patient responds to electrical stimulation differently and their needs may
vary from the conventional settings suggested here. If the initial results are not
positive, feel free to experiment. Once an acceptable placement has been achieved,
mark down the electrodes sites and the settings on the patient’s Reference sheet
of this manual, so the patient can easily continue treatment at home.
CONTIGUOUS PLACEMENT
This is the most common placement technique. It involves placing the electrodes
alongside the affected muscles or muscle groups, in such a way as to direct the
flow of current through or around the area.
DERMATOMES, MYOTOMES AND SCLEROTOMES
These are the regions of the body enervated by one spinal nerve. Electrode place-
ment involves both stimulating across the similarly enervated area and/or placing
one electrode (or set of electrodes) at the affected site and another electrode (set)
at the point where the nerve root joins the spinal cord.
MOTOR, TRIGGER AND ACUPUNCTURE POINTS
While these points of high tissue conductivity can differ in location and in theory of
use, their use as an electrode site is identical. The easiest technique involves
placing one pad directly over the point and completing the circuit by placing the
second pad on some area on the affected side. This second electrode site
can be within a nerve zone, or a master point located between the thumb and
the forefinger on the dorsal web area between the two metacarpal bones.
MULTIPLE PLACEMENT STRATEGIES
Because the DIGITAL EMS has two independently operated channels, the clini-
cian may take advantage of concurrent pad placement strategies.
For example, it is possible to use two different electrode placement strategies at
the same time. One channel can be used to directly stimulate the pain site in a
contiguous manner; the other channel can be placed along the involved dermatome
or utilized for point therapy.
Chapter 15 : TIPS FOR SKIN CARE
To avoid skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin, follow these suggestions:
1. Wash the area of skin where you will be placing the electrodes, using mild soap
and water before applying electrodes, and after taking them off. Be sure to rinse
soap off thoroughly and dry skin well.
2. Excess hair may be clipped with scissors; do not shave stimulation area.
3. Wipe the area with the skin preparation your clinician has recommended. Let
this dry. Apply electrodes as directed.
4. Many skin problems EMS arise from the “pulling stress” from adhesive patches
that are excessively stretched across the skin during application. To prevent
this, apply electrodes from centre outward; avoid stretching over the skin.
5. To minimize “pulling stress”, tape extra lengths of lead wires to the skin in a loop
to prevent tugging on electrodes.
6. When removing electrodes, always remove by pulling in the direction of hair
growth.
7. It may be helpful to rub skin lotion on electrode placement area when not wear
ing electrodes.
8. Never apply electrodes over irritated or broken skin.
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