This article explains transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), a non-surgical approach that is generating significant interest in the spinal cord injury community. We'll explore what it is, how it differs from implanted stimulation, what the current research shows — including applications for pain and spasticity management — and what questions you might want to discuss with your clinical team.

Muscle atrophy, the wasting away of muscle tissue, is a significant and often debilitating consequence of nerve damage or spinal cord injury. A proactive approach using forms of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) offers a powerful alternative: stopping muscle atrophy before it even begins and preserving tissue health for the long term.

When a spinal cord injury causes lower limb paralysis, for example, the leg muscles can no longer be exercised and strengthened through conventional methods, affecting muscle mass, circulation, and more. In many of these cases, approaches such as FES Cycling might help, and we'll mention this in more detail below.

If the injury affects the "lower motor neurons," this loss of muscle mass can be particularly profound. In this case the nature of the damage to the nervous system results in "denervation" which means that over time, muscle is gradually replaced by fibrous tissue, collagen, and fat. In these cases, a more specialised form of FES can be used to restore muscle bulk and tissue quality.

Discover how Stim2Go is revolutionizing neurological rehabilitation by becoming the first FES cycling system to integrate transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) protocols. This non-invasive approach combines the proven benefits of functional electrical stimulation with cutting-edge spinal cord modulation techniques, offering new hope for individuals recovering from spinal cord injury, stroke, and other neurological conditions. Learn how tSCS works, why it's showing promising results for spasticity reduction and motor recovery, and how our platform makes this advanced therapy accessible for home use.

When treating denervated muscles with electrical stimulation, a common assumption is that stronger is better—that maximum current intensity will produce the best results. However, clinical evidence tells a different story: optimal outcomes come from finding the minimum effective intensity, not the maximum tolerable one.
I generally advise clients at the beginning not to worry too much about the specific current level, but to increase the current intensity until they start to see a contraction, and then increase by about 10% over that. I would call that the minimum effective intensity. 

Electrical stimulation is a popular and widely used approach for physical rehabilitation. When used for muscle strengthening, it is necessary to take into account the fact that electrical stimulation produces muscle contractions in a relatively inefficient way.

In this article, we take a brief look at muscle fibre types. Following a neurological insult, muscle fibre types undergo transformation, producing changes that affect the ability of muscles to do work. We examine the particular case of spinal cord injury and consider how this affects the effectiveness of electrical stimulation.

Approaches to combat fatigue are examined. Finally, we consider attempts being made to improve the performance of stimulators and produce consistent muscle contractions under all circumstances.

Neuropathic pain is a complex and debilitating condition that affects millions worldwide, disrupting daily life with sensations that defy typical pain narratives. For those living with chronic discomfort, the challenges often feel insurmountable. However, with an estimated 7–10% of the global population impacted, the demand for solutions has never been greater.

This article explores an exciting frontier in treatment—electrical stimulation. By directly engaging the nervous system, this innovative approach offers the possibility of relief where traditional methods have fallen short. What makes neuropathic pain so difficult to treat? And could electrical stimulation hold the key to improving quality of life for countless individuals?

Join us as we examine this cutting-edge therapy and its potential to reshape the future of pain management.