Denervation of Muscle - Why use electrical stimulation?

We just posted a video series on our Vimeo pages that goes into the details of how to use the Stimulator RISE with complete and incomplete denervated muscle. This series is certainly most useful for professionals that have a RISE stimulator available but even if you dont have one yet, it might convince you that investing in such a product is worthwhile.

I have placed the first video in the series for you to view here and the transcript of the video is below.

Video transcript

Hello there, at Anatomical Concepts we have seen first hand the impact of denervation on muscles. Denervation is a medical term we use when there's a loss of nerve supply to a muscle. This can occur due to various reasons, such as an injury to a peripheral nerve, or an injury low down on the spinal cord that affects the so called lower motor neurons.

Now, you may wonder, why is this nerve supply so crucial? Well, Nerves are like the electrical wiring of our body. They transmit signals from our brain to our muscles, telling them when to contract or relax. When a muscle loses its nerve supply, it's like unplugging a lamp from an electrical outlet. Without the power, the lamp can't shine, and without nerve signals, The muscle can't function properly.

If left untreated, denervation can lead to muscle atrophy, which is the shrinking and weakening of the muscle, along with the loss of the nerve supply. Over time, the natural muscle fibers are replaced with collagen and fat, and there is a loss of the ability to contract. This is not good for long term health.

These electron microscope images of denervated muscle show changes over a three year period to the tissue. But here's the good news. It is possible treat denervation using a specialized form of electrical stimulation. The RISE Stimulator is a device that can help. It works by sending electrical signals directly to the muscle fibers, bypassing the damaged nerve.

This helps to keep the muscle active and prevent atrophy and structural changes to the muscles. Think of it as a backup generator that kicks in when the main power supply is out. Research shows that we can normalize the muscle tissue and add muscle bulk over a period of training. It's best to start within 18 months of an injury, but even those with long term injuries can be helped.

So, while denervation can be a challenging issue to deal with, it's not a hopeless one. With the right tools like the RISE Stimulator and a proactive approach to treatment, you can help keep your muscles healthy and functional. Speak to us if you have questions or would like an assessment.