|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What are
Tone-A-Matic muscle stimulators?
Tone-A-Matic is a revolutionary muscle exerciser for use anywhere. It is a
lightweight, portable electronic unit scientifically proven to exercise body muscles fast
and effectively through Tone-A-Matic Muscle Stimulation. Back to FAQ
How
do they work?
During
"voluntary contractions" which take place in your muscle groups during normal
exercise, the brain sends a nerve impulse to the "motor point" of your muscle.
This signal is a message to the muscles to contract and exercise. Conductive rubber pads
are placed over the motor points of the muscle group to be exercised. When the passive
stimulation is applied through the pads, the signal finds its way to these motor points
and causes the muscle to contract just as if they received a signal from the brain. This
makes it possible to duplicate conventional exercise with an Tone-A-Matic system to suit
your needs. Back
to FAQ
What is T.E.N.S?
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators are a safe non-invasive drug free
method of pain management. It relieves pain from various areas of the body by sending
small electrical pulses through electrodes placed on the skin to underlying nerve fibers.
T.E.N.S works by using two different mechanisms. First, electrical stimulation of the
nerve fibbers can block a pain signal from being carried to the brain. Secondly, the body
has its own processes for suppressing pain through the release of natural chemicals in the
brain called Endorphins. T.E.N.S assists in activating this natural mechanism. By
effectively managing pain without drugs, T.E.N.S allows people with chronic pain
conditions to resume their daily activities. The Tamexx systems also have the T.E.N.S
capability built in. These units can be used for treatment of back pain, Lumbago,
Sciatica, Tension, Headache, Sport strains and all muscle related injuries. Back to FAQ
Different types of Electrical Muscle Stimulation: EMS, TENS & RUSSIAN STIM
EMS
EMS: Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Neuro Muscular Stimulation Therapy
This type of stimulation is characterized by low volt stimulation targeted to stimulate motor nerves to cause a muscle contraction. During the voluntary contractions, which take place in your muscle group during normal exercise, the brain sends a special via a nerve impulse to the "motor point" of your muscle. That signal is a message for your muscle to contract and exercise. Tone-A-Matic duplicates that message causing the muscle to contract and exercise just as if it received a signal from the brain.
EMS differs from TENS in that it is designed to stimulate muscle motor nerves, while TENS is designed to stimulate sensing nerve endings to help decrease pain.
Model TM3004, TM3006, TM3008, TMS12, TMS12, TMS16, TMS20, DT2012 and DT2016
Back to FAQ
Russian Stimulation
Russian Stimulation is a specific form of Electro stimulation with a symmetrical Biphasic Square waveform produced by dividing a 2500Hz-carrier frequency into 50Hz packets. It was originally developed by the Russian Olympic team for muscle mass enhancement, however it is now more often used for muscle mass and edema reduction in the United States and Canada.
Russian Stimulation is similar to EMS in that it is designed to stimulate motor nerves. However the high frequency of 2500Hz allows for deeper muscle penetration and a more complete/stronger contraction of the muscle fibers.
TDR64 and TDR68 Back to FAQ
TENS
What is TENS?
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators are a safe non-invasive drug free method of pain management. It relieves pain from various areas of the body by sending small electrical pulses through electrodes placed on the skin to underlying nerve fibers.
Back to FAQ
How does TENS work?
TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation means the transmission of small electrical pulses through the skin to the underlying peripheral nerves. TENS is thought to work in two ways.
First, "high frequency" continuous, mild, electrical activity may block the pain signal travelling to the brain. Brain cells perceive pain. If the pain signal does not get through to the brain, the pain is not felt.
The second way TENS is thought to work is by stimulating the body's own natural pain control mechanism. "Low Frequency" or short bursts of mild, electrical activity may cause the body to release its own pain eases, called beta-endorphins.
Back to FAQ
What is pain?
Pain is the body's warning system and is intended to prevent additional injury. Pain is important because, without it, vital parts of our bodies might be damaged or injured without our knowledge. However, long lasting, persistent pain, often called chronic pain, once diagnosed serves no apparent purpose. TENS is developed to help relieve some types of chronic and acute pain.
Back to FAQ
Do
I need special training?
Most customers
find the instructional manual with its various pad placements self explanatory. However,
our consultants are available to give you a free demonstration and answer any of your
questions. Please, make use of our customer service line if you require further
assistance. Back
to FAQ
Is it Safe?
Tone-A-Matic therapy is safe and reliable. The technology was developed over
40 years ago by a team of scientists and doctors. This technology continues to be used
extensively in hospitals, physiotherapy clinics, health clubs and spas. The U.S. and
Canadian track and field organizations fully endorse Tone-A-Matic and it has been
recommended for use at the Olympics since 1972 by the medical advisory council to the
Olympic committee. Important: Tone-A-Matic must not be used during pregnancy, by
epileptics, people with heart disease or pacemakers and have any metal plates or
pins. Back to FAQ
How
long before I see results?
Tone-A-Matic
therapy is the 21st century way of getting into shape that suits your busy lifestyle. Best of all, you can combine
Tone-A-Matic therapy with another of your favourite activities - reading a book,
meditation or watching television. It does not depend upon weather, availability of
facilities or tremendous effort on your part to get and keep you in shape. Back to FAQ
Can E.M.S help sports Injuries?
E.M.S decreases rehabilitation time by controlling swelling and strengthening
weak muscles. Used in conjunction with with the T.E.N.S frequency it also helps to reduce
pain and greatly reduces an athlete's injury recovery time. Back to FAQ
Can Tone-A-Matic help get my tummy back in shape after having a baby?
Tone-A-Matic is ideal for tightening those post-natal bulges. Treatment should
start approximately 6 weeks after delivery. Very gentle exercise to begin with, then
gradually building up over a number of weeks. It is very effective in the battle of the
bulge and love handles. Back
to FAQ
Bibliography &
Publications: 1) Baker, L.L. “Aspects of Muscle
Strengthening Using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation.” Transcript of seminar.
Ranchos Los Amigos Hospital, Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Downey, California. June,
1984
Work done at Rancho Los Amigos is
reported. Updates earlier data published (See#3) re: muscle strengthening. Both normal
muscle and muscle in trauma examined. Reports also on other research, esp. Those done in
the U.S.S.R. All results were positive after a few weeks of Tone-A-Matic alone. Other
conclusion: Tone-A-Matic is successful in maintaining strength in immobilized muscle.
Tone-A-Matic is a good means of controlling spasticity and clones if the wave form comes
with a rise time.
2) Currier, D.P., and Mann, R.
“Muscular
Strength Developed by Electrical Stimulation in Healthy Individuals.”
Phys. Ther.
63:915-21, 1983.
Performed in the U.S., this research study
showed significant gains in strength of dominant muscles using Tone-A-Matic only and using
Tone-A-Matic as an adjunct to voluntary isometric contractions. Thirty four healthy
subjects were randomly placed into a control group. The research showed that returning a
patient quickly to athletic activities and trying to prevent quadriceps muscle atrophy was
best accomplished by using a partly mobile cast/brace in addition to
Tone-A-Matic
3) Eriksson, E., et al. “Effect of
Electrical Stimulation on Human Skeletal Muscle.”
Int. J. Sp. Medicine. 2:1981,
18-22
Healthy male subjects were placed in an
Tone-A-Matic program. The acute effects were similar to those found earlier for intense
muscular exercise. After 4 - 5 weeks, no significant changes were observed in enzyme
activities, muscle fiber characteristics, or mitochondria properties. Four weeks of
Tone-A-Matic increased muscle strength comparable to a program of voluntary training.
However, the effects of Tone-A-Matic were more “position specific” indicating
that muscles that are weakened, e.g. due to injury, can thus be selectively trained.
4) Halbach, J., and Straus, D.
“Comparison
of Electro-Mio Stimulation to Isokinetic Training in Increasing Power of the Knee Extensor
Mechanism.” Am. Phys.
Ther. Assoc., J. Of Ortho. And Sp. Phys. Therapy. 20 - 4,
1980.
This study cites six references that
reported success in the U.S.S.R using Tone-A-Matic to increase strength of large muscle
groups. The studies show that the gains were accomplished in less time than similar gains
made with normal weight training. This was explained by comparing the “force
deficit” in both modalities. “Force Deficit” is the amount of motor units
not recruited in a muscle group, which varies among individuals due to motivation, and is
usually 60-70%. The Soviets believe this force deficit can be reduced to 10% with
Tone-A-Matic Other conclusions: 18 training sessions have produced with
Tone-A-Matic a.) a
40% increase in muscle strength, b.) a 10 centimeter increase in vertical jump, and c.) a
decrease in subcutaneous fat.
[Electronic
Muscle Stimulator - Home]
(c) 1999 Tone-A-Matic
International Incorporated, All Rights Reserved
|
|
