Electrical Muscle Stimulation 

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses. It is used for stimulating a muscle by passing a current of electricity through the skin. Electric muscle stimulation (EMS) is used to treat muscle injuries and muscle atrophy when a limb has been immobilized.

The impulses are generated by a device and delivered through electrodes on the skin in direct proximity to the muscles to be stimulated. The impulses mimic the action potential coming from the central nervous system, causing the muscles to contract. The electrodes are generally pads that adhere to the skin.