By Vincent De Bono, DC CSCS
electrical stimulation for increased blood flow
Emerging evidence has demonstrated that electrical stimulation can increase blood flow through changes in vessel size and increasing the blood flow velocity.[1] A recent study demonstrated that electrical stimulation delivers at a contractile level, known as exercise level stimulation, increases blood by increasing vessel size.
Interestingly, electrical signals delivered at a sensory stimulus only with no contraction, known as sensory stimulation, increases blood flow velocity without increasing vessel size. The mechanism for increasing blood flow velocity without increasing vessel size appears to occur through a change in the sympathetic tone increasing muscle tension and improving venous return without changes in vessel size.[2]
dual signals effect both changes in vessel size and increased velocity of blood flow
ARPneuro Therapy has the unique ability to effect blood flow through both mechanisms. The primary signal in ARPneuro is delivered at an intensity to result in sustained muscle contraction at a rate of up to 500 contractions per second, resulting in vessel dilation and increase blood flow due to the increased oxygen demand of the contracting muscles.
However, a second signal, the background signal, is also delivered by the ARPneuro unit at a sub-sensory level that appears to have the effect of increasing blood flow velocity without vessel dilation through an increase in sympathetic tone. The ability to increase blood flow velocity without vessel dilation may prove useful in improving venous return and reducing edema while promoting healing through increased blood flow velocity.
unique capability to improve healing
The unique capability of the ARPneuro PRS (Personal Recovery System) to initially deliver a primary exercise level stimulation and with the option to shut off the primary exercise signal and maintain the secondary sub-sensory background signal only allows an initial vasodilation (exercise signal) then an improved venous return without vasodilation (background signal only). This method may permit improved healing capabilities through an increased blood flow and edema reduction through improved venous return.
[1] Jin HK, Hwang TY, Cho SH. Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Blood Flow Velocity and Vessel Size. Open Med (Wars). 2017;12:5-11. Published 2017 Mar 6. doi:10.1515/med-2017-0002
[2] Jin HK, Hwang TY, Cho SH. Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Blood Flow Velocity and Vessel Size. Open Med (Wars). 2017;12:5-11. Published 2017 Mar 6. doi:10.1515/med-2017-0002