NISE Stim

Non-Invasive Spinal Electrical Stimulation

Initially developed by Gerti Motavalli, NISE stim is a form of electric stimulation, different to traditional electric stimulation by also involving the spinal cord.

What is it?

Electrical stimulation is a popular physiotherapy treatment method within neurological physiotherapy. It provides safe electrical currents to specific muscles to help improve their movement. NISE- Stim is a form of electrical stimulation where the spinal cord is also involved and stimulated by using electrodes over the area of muscle innervation as well as the target muscle.

Who does it benefit?

NISE stim can be used in conjunction with physiotherapy for children and adults with neurological condition such as spina bifida, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, stroke and peripheral nerve damage.

There has been great benefits seen in those children who are developing a scoliosis due to neurological conditions impacting their position and tone.

How does it work?

NISE stim works by placing electrodes over the spinal cord and specific areas of the body to stimulate the muscle by delivering safe electrical currents. This mimics the nerve signals to activate the muscle causing them to work and contract stimulating movement. Using the electrodes over the spinal cords results in better recruitment of the muscle fibres meaning you can achieve stronger muscle contractions and larger movements.

If there is a specific muscle which is weak and struggling with movement the electrodes would be placed on this muscle and the corresponding point on the spine which controls its movement. The electrical current will then stimulate the muscle to contract and work. In turn this will help work towards getting the muscle stronger.

Everyone is different and therefore it is fully tailored and adjusted to the individuals needs. This means it can focus on different muscles and areas based on what that person needs.

How we use it in our sessions

Within physiotherapy sessions we may decide to use the NISE stim to help with getting a muscle stronger to work towards a movement. For example, if someone is struggling with weakness around the ankle which is impacting their mobility we would set up the NISE stim to target those specific muscles and build this into the physiotherapy session.

We may recommend that you go away and get your own electrical stimulation to use at home to go alongside what we are working on in physiotherapy sessions but we would recommend which device to use and how to set it up.