What Is a Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike?

An essential tool for modern paralysis rehabilitation is a functional electrical stimulation bike. However, to understand why this equipment is so valuable when it comes to recovery efforts, we need to address several questions. 

• How does movement work?
• What is functional electrical stimulation (FES)?
• What are the benefits of FES?
• How does a functional electrical stimulation bike (or cycle) work?
• Where can you go to find this kind of tech at an SCI or paralysis rehab center?

We will address the answers to these questions and more in today’s article. 

How Does Movement Work? 

In order to move your body, the brain sends electrical signals to the muscles. The nerves bring these signals to the muscles, alerting them to your desire to move. When damage occurs, whether in the nerves or the brain, this communication may be interrupted. If the brain and muscles are not communicating correctly, the muscles may no longer function on command. The result is the condition that we call paralysis. A traumatic injury often causes paralysis. However, some illnesses may result in paralysis. 

What Is Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)?

FES is a type of therapy that involves sending electrical impulses to the muscles that a paralyzed person cannot engage on their own. In this way, the muscle can move, even if it requires this external impulse to do so. What are the goals of functional electrical stimulation? 

5 Benefits of Functional Electrical Stimulation 

FES provides benefits for patients experiencing paralysis. This type of therapy may result in a number of beneficial outcomes. Here are 5 of the goals your physical therapist may have when suggesting this type of treatment. 

1. Reducing spasticity – When you cannot activate a muscle on your own, the muscle can become rigid or begin to spasm. Activating the muscle with FES can help to reduce spasticity by wearing the muscle out in the same way that exercise would. 
2. Preventing atrophy – When you cannot use a muscle, it will begin to waste away. Activating the muscle with FES can help to maintain the muscle mass that you have. This can be important when it comes to maintaining balance, especially if you can regain some movement in the future. 
3. Improving circulation – Exercise is necessary for optimal blood flow. A lack of exercise due to paralysis could cause blood flow issues in the extremities. FES helps to activate those muscles so that circulation sees improvement. 
4. Increased range of motion – If you do have some limited range of motion, FES may help either to maintain it or even to expand that range of motion.
5. Potentially help to restore function – In some cases, function electrical stimulation may help the body remember how to move the muscles receiving treatment. The muscles need reeducation, especially if they have not moved in some time. 

What Are the Advantages of a Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike? 

You may already be familiar with the use of motorized cycles for patients living with paralysis. In this situation, the bike does all the work on its own using the motor. The patient experiences the motion due to being strapped into the device. How is an FES cycle different, and are there any additional benefits?

Instead of merely being along for the ride, FES allows your body to provide some of the work for the movement of the cycle. Computerized sensors determine when to activate the muscles with an electrical pulse. This allows your body to perform some of the work of moving the bike, rather than having a motor provide all of the movement. 

By letting your body do some of the work, you receive even more benefits. For example, it may reduce muscle spasms, improve strength, add bulk to your muscles, provide a good cardio workout, enhance blood flow to your legs, and so on. In these ways, the FES helps reduce the effects of the paralysis. In some cases, it may even help to restore some function.

While FES is beneficial, even when not used in connection with a cycle, the combination of the two enhances the benefits. Besides using the functional electrical stimulation bike, your therapist may also recommend FES to help activate your abdominal muscles or for use along with other exercise machines. 

Modern Technology to Help You Thrive After Paralysis  

FES is just one example of a modern technology that complements traditional physical therapy to help a person thrive after paralysis. While the road to recovery may be long and arduous, you are up to the challenge. However, you may not feel like you are ready to meet the challenges ahead. That is why iAM ABLE offers an eBook to help you get into the proper mindset. It is entitled 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis. 

It is our hope that this digital publication will help to prepare you for your recovery journey. The book begins with the need to challenge yourself to maximize your independence. Helping you to understand that you are not alone in this struggle is one way to stay motivated. Learning to take care of yourself may involve challenges that other people do not face, but you can do it! 

Please read this inspiring book, and don’t forget to contact iAM ABLE in Miami, Florida to learn about the traditional and modern methods of therapy that we offer to patients who are living with paralysis.

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.