What’s the Buzz About E-Stim, Tens, & NMES

At Peak Performance in Buffalo, NY, we’re dedicated to helping you move better and feel your best. Whether you’re managing pain, recovering from an injury, or seeking to enhance your physical performance, there are so many advanced therapies are designed to support your goals. Let’s dive into the specifics of three popular therapies: E-Stim, TENS, and NMES. Each one brings something unique to the table, and understanding how they work can help you make informed decisions about your care.


E-Stim: Electrical Stimulation

Electrical Stimulation (E-Stim) uses targeted electrical impulses to stimulate muscles and nerves. This therapy is effective in reducing pain, improving circulation, and accelerating the healing process. By mimicking the natural signals your brain sends to your muscles, E-Stim can help reduce muscle spasms, decrease inflammation, and improve range of motion. It’s a powerful tool in rehabilitation and recovery, offering targeted support to help you get back on track. It’s main focus is muscle recovery but can have other benefits as well.


Who’s it for? E-Stim is ideal for individuals recovering from surgery, injury, or those experiencing chronic pain. It’s a versatile therapy that can be tailored to specific needs, making it a valuable addition to your chiropractic care plan.


TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) focuses on pain relief by stimulating the nerves. This therapy works by sending electrical pulses through the skin, which can block pain signals from reaching the brain and encourage the release of endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers. TENS is a popular choice for managing chronic pain conditions and can be easily adjusted to suit your comfort level.


Who’s it for? TENS is best suited for those seeking non-drug pain management options. If you’re dealing with chronic pain or need additional relief between chiropractic sessions, TENS might be the perfect solution for you.


NMES: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) targets specific muscles to enhance strength, endurance, and function. By sending electrical impulses directly to the muscles, NMES induces contractions that can help maintain or improve muscle mass, prevent atrophy, and support quicker recovery. It’s widely used in sports medicine and rehabilitation, offering a boost to those looking to maintain or enhance muscle function.


Who’s it for? NMES is great for athletes aiming to improve performance, patients recovering from surgery, or anyone experiencing muscle weakness. It’s an effective way to stay strong and active, even when traditional exercise isn’t an option.


Who Should Avoid

While E-Stim, TENS, and NMES are effective therapies for many, certain individuals should avoid using these devices due to potential contraindications. People with pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices, those with a history of heart problems, or individuals who are pregnant should not use these therapies without consulting a healthcare provider. Additionally, these devices should not be applied over areas with broken skin, active infections, or near the neck and chest due to the risk of affecting heart rhythms. Always discuss your medical history with your chiropractor before starting any new therapy to ensure it’s safe for you.


Your Next Step

At Peak Performance in Buffalo, NY, we’re committed to providing evidence-based care that’s tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re considering E-Stim, TENS, or NMES, our team is here to guide you through your options and find the best fit for your health and wellness goals. Be sure to talk with your chiropractor about these therapies at your next visit!


Bethany Wolcott

D’Youville Chiropractic ‘26

Roll With It: A 10-Minute Full-Body Foam Rolling Routine That Your Muscles Will Thank You For

By S21 GMB • July 28, 2025
Whether you’re an elite athlete, a casual competitor, or someone who sits at a desk all day, foam rolling is a simple, effective way to show your muscles some love. It's like giving your body a do-it-yourself massage—no appointment necessary. In just ten minutes a day, you can reduce muscle tension, improve flexibility, and help your body recover faster. At Peak Performance, we often recommend foam rolling to our patients as part of their home care, especially when paired with regular chiropractic and massage therapy. Here's everything you need to know to start rolling your way to a healthier, happier body.

IT Band Syndrome: Why Your Outer Knee Hates You (And What to Do About It)

By S21 GMB • July 21, 2025
If you’ve ever trained for a marathon, ramped up your squat routine, or taken your weekend hikes a little too seriously, chances are you’ve had a run-in with IT Band Syndrome. That nagging pain on the outside of your knee that shows up halfway through your run and sticks around longer than you'd like? That’s your iliotibial (IT) band screaming for help. At our chiropractic and massage office here in Buffalo, NY, we see this common overuse injury all the time—especially among runners, cyclists, lifters, and anyone who moves with purpose. The good news? IT Band Syndrome is treatable, manageable, and preventable. You just need the right game plan—and maybe a chiropractor and massage therapist in your corner.

Kanjo, Acupressure, Wellness

By Sahil's Development Team • July 14, 2025
The Point of Relief: Acupressure Made Easy with Kanjo

Stars, Stripes, and Spines: Why Your Back Goes Pop (and How to Watch Fireworks Without Wrecking It)

By S21 GMB • July 3, 2025
Cue the barbecue, spark up the sparklers, and grab your favorite red, white, and blue—because the Fourth of July is here! As we ooh and aah over fireworks lighting up the night sky, there’s another kind of pop that gets people buzzing this time of year: the satisfying crack that happens during a chiropractic adjustment. Coincidence? Maybe. But if you’ve ever wondered why your back makes that signature sound when adjusted, we’ve got the answers—and some safety tips to make sure your spine is celebrating right alongside you this Independence Day.

Safely Enjoying the Beach This Summer

By S21 GMB • June 30, 2025
The beach is a perfect place to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy a variety of fun activities like swimming, volleyball, and surfing. However, while it offers an ideal setting for leisure and recreation, it also presents certain risks that can impact your health and well-being. From sunburns to dehydration and slips and falls, understanding how to enjoy the beach safely will help ensure you make the most of your time by the water. Here’s how you can stay safe and healthy while soaking in the sun and fun this summer.

The Long and Short of It: Understanding Leg Length Discrepancies

By S21 GMB • June 23, 2025
When your pants always seem uneven or one shoe wears out faster than the other, it might not be your laundry or the way you walk — it could be a leg length discrepancy. But before you panic or break out the measuring tape, let’s break down what this actually means and how chiropractic and massage therapy can help even things out (literally and figuratively). There are two main types of leg length discrepancies: anatomical and functional . While they may present similarly — hip imbalances, lower back pain, uneven walking patterns — their root causes (and therefore their treatments) are very different. Let’s dive into the difference between the two, how we diagnose them, and how your friendly neighborhood chiropractor or massage therapist can help.

Runner’s Knee: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Keep On Running

By Sahil's Development Team • June 16, 2025
If you’ve ever gone for a run and come home with an achy, nagging pain around your knee, you might have experienced the all-too-common condition known as Runner’s Knee. But don’t let the name fool you — you don’t have to be a marathoner to be affected. Runner’s Knee can strike casual joggers, weekend warriors, or even people who rarely run but take a long walk or hike.  At Peak Performance, we see lots of patients who are sidelined by this pesky knee pain. The good news? It’s treatable, manageable, and very often preventable. Let’s dive into what Runner’s Knee actually is, how it occurs, how to treat it, and how to keep it from coming back.

Meet Your Nervous System

By S21 GMB • June 9, 2025
Before we talk about how massage affects the nervous system, it helps to understand what the nervous system is and what it does.

Integrating Chiropractic Care into Pediatric Health

By S21 GMB • June 2, 2025
Children are constantly growing, learning, and exploring the world around them. From their first steps to their time spent in school and on the playground, their bodies undergo continuous physical stress and development. While pediatric health often focuses on nutrition, vaccinations, and regular checkups, spinal health is sometimes overlooked. Chiropractic care offers a safe, effective way to support proper growth, posture, and overall well-being in children.

From Pain Relief to Performance: What You Gain From Consistent Chiropractic Visits

By S21 GMB • May 29, 2025
Best Chiropractor Therapy Buffalo
Show More