Electric Muscle Stimulation

Bike stimulates physical progress

Lisle Shires suffered a stroke three and a half years ago, leaving the right side of his body with limited movement. But you wouldn't know it watching him exercise with a high-tech bicycle that helps move his muscles.

Twice a week for the past month, he's laid his walking cane to the side while he is hooked up to a new functional electrical stimulation bike at the YMCA Healthy Living Center in Clive. With assistance from physical therapist Brent Mongar, Shires uses his arms, including his right one, to pedal the bike.

Shires knows it's not a cure-all, but he's already seen results. After six sessions, he could move his right thumb ever so slightly. The seemingly small movement signals significant progress.

"I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it did some good," he joked during a workout.

Shires, 72, of West Des Moines, has difficulty with certain daily tasks, such as getting dressed, and he walks with a cane in public.

"If I can regain some use of my right arm, it'd mean a lot. Even though I'm retired, I'd like to be able to help others again," he said.

Shires has also gained 12 degrees of arm movement forward and to the side.

"To gain in six sessions, 12 degrees, three years after a stroke, is very uncommon. Usually after a year, you don't have that kind of gain," Mongar said.

Such improvement would have normally taken months, if he would have seen any at all, Mongar added.

The bike, which can work both arms and legs, was made possible through an anonymous donor. Shires' senior exercise group also held a small fundraiser. The equipment is currently available in the physical therapy department so therapists can help with setup.

Insurance helps cover therapy initially, but the YMCA wants to make it accessible to the community. Therapy is available to Healthy Living Center members, with scholarships for medical need.

Several patients with neurological disorders are using the bike, including those with stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. For spinal cord injury patients who don't have movement in the legs, the bike can slow muscle atrophy and improve circulation, Mongar said.

In Shires' case, electrodes placed on his upper arm and shoulder deliver electrical impulses to force his muscles to contract. Shires says the sensation feels like continuous, mild shock, and increases as the intensity is adjusted on the bike's controls.

Are Electrical Muscle Stimulators Effective? - Latest EMS news ...

The electronic muscle stimulators you are referring to are not only used by chiropractors. It is the same therapy provided at physical therapy clinics around the world. Not only is it effective in some cases, there is science behind its application. Many studies have shown its effectiveness is reducing pain, inflammation, edema, increasing blood flow and metabolism to an area, release of endorphins in the body (your self made feel good hormones). It does not work for everyone, but millions of people have been help by its application. Keep in mind that it does not fix problems but only helps in the recovery from injury or pain. You still must address the cause of the symptoms.

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