Action Principles - RehabMedic Pro Stim 4 Manual Del Usuario

This function is especially thought for the rent of the unit to inexpert users and/or to patients that
have to carry out only some special programs that have been chosen by the specialist.
Activation of the STIM LOCK function
Press and hold the buttons fn and --> (RIGHT button) for at least 3 seconds until the area where
the treatments have been saved appears. After the activation of the STIM LOCK function, the
functions of the unit will have limited functionalities.
Deactivation of the STIM LOCK function
Press the fn and <-- buttons (LEFT button) for at least 3 seconds until the main menu appears.
NOTE: If, when the unit is turned on, the main menu does not appear, verify that the STIM LOCK
function is not activated. Try to deactivate it.
If the problem persists, contact the customer service.

ACTION PRINCIPLES

MUSCULAR ELECTROSTIMULATION
Electrostimulation is a technique which, by means of electric pulses that act on the muscle's
motor points (motoneuron), causes muscular contraction responses similar to voluntary
contractions.
Most of human body muscles belong to the striated or voluntary muscle category, with
approximately 200 muscles on each side of the body (about 400 in all).
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF MUSCULAR CONTRACTION
The skeletal muscle performs its functions through the contraction mechanism.
When a person decides to make a movement, the motor center of the brain sends an electric
signal to the muscle that is to contract.
When the electric signal reaches the muscle, the motor plaque of the muscle surface produces
the depolarization of the muscle membrane and the release of CA++ ions inside it. The Ca++
ions, interacting with the actin and myosin molecules, activate the contraction mechanism which
leads to the shortening of the muscle.
The amount of energy needed for the contraction is provided by the adenosine triphosphate
(ATP) and is supported by an energy recharging system based on aerobic and anaerobic energy
mechanisms which use carbohydrates and fats. In other words, electric stimulation is not a direct
source of energy but it works as a tool that causes a muscular contraction.
The same type of mechanism is activated when the muscular contraction is produced by the
EMS; they have the same function of a pulse naturally transmitted by the motor nervous system.
When the contraction is over, the muscle relaxes and returns to its original state.
ISOTONIC AND ISOMETRIC CONTRACTION
An isotonic contraction occurs when, during a movement, the interested muscles exceed outside
resistance by shortening, thus provoking a constant state of tension in the ends of the tendons.
When outside resistance impedes its movement, the muscular contraction, instead of provoking
a shortening effect, causes an increase in the tension at the extremes; this is called isometric
contraction. In the case of electrostimulation a stimulation for isometric conditions is normally
used because it permits a more powerful and efficient contraction.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIBERS IN THE MUSCLE
The ratio between the two main categories (type I and type II) can vary noticeably.
There are muscular groups that are typically made up of type I fibers, like the soleus, and muscles
which are made up of only type II fibers, like the orbicular muscle, but the majority of the human
body muscles are composed of a combination of the two types. Studies on the distribution of
fibers in the muscle mass have highlighted the close relationship between the motoneuron(tonic
or phasic) and the functional characteristics of the fibers it innervates and have shown that a
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