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tSCS, Electrotherapy Derek Jones tSCS, Electrotherapy Derek Jones

Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (tSCS) - An Introduction for Non-Clinicians

This article provides an overview of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), a non-invasive spinal stimulation therapy used in neurorehabilitation to support spasticity reduction, neuropathic pain management, and rehabilitation alongside therapy. It explains how tSCS works, reviews current research evidence, outlines safety considerations, and explores the growing availability of commercial tSCS devices for clinical and home-based use.

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tSCS, Electrotherapy Derek Jones tSCS, Electrotherapy Derek Jones

Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation: What Patients Need to Know

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.

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Stop Muscle Atrophy Before It Starts with Proactive FES

Muscle loss doesn’t wait and neither should prevention. This article explains how proactive FES can support early muscle activation, helping reduce atrophy during periods of limited mobility. Learn why starting sooner can make a difference, who it may be suitable for, and how FES fits into a broader rehabilitation plan.

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tSCS, FES Cycling, Stim2Go Derek Jones tSCS, FES Cycling, Stim2Go Derek Jones

Stim2Go and Support for Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) is an exciting and evolving area of neurorehabilitation, and having the right support is essential to get the most from it. This article introduces Stim2Go and explains how it can be used to support TSCS programmes in practice. It outlines the importance of correct set-up, guidance, and ongoing input to help clinicians and services implement TSCS safely and effectively. A helpful overview for anyone exploring TSCS delivery and the practical considerations around support and use.

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Derek Jones Derek Jones

Denervated Muscle Stimulation: Why Optimal Intensity Beats Maximum Intensity

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. 

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How Muscle Fibre Composition Impacts Electrical Stimulation Effectiveness

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.

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