Placement of Electrodes and When and How to Use Each Type

Electrodes are an essential accessory when it comes to using electrostimulation and good placement of electrodes will give you the most efficient electrostimulation sessions. Often referred to as "patches, stickers, or pads", electrodes are responsible for transmitting electrical impulses from the Compex electrostimulator to your body. Without electrodes, using a electrostimulator like Compex would be impossible.

The 3 Types of Compex Electrodes

There are three main types of electrodes available:

• 5 x 5 single snap (small electrodes): Best for precise stimulation on smaller muscle groups or areas requiring high accuracy.
• 5 x 10 single snap (large electrodes with one connector): Ideal for covering larger areas or when broader diffusion of current is preferred.
• 5 x 10 double snap (large electrodes with two connectors): Perfect for larger muscles that require more extensive coverage and better current distribution.

One of the big questions users have is when and how to use them. On wireless equipment, the electrode positions are indicated for use with each program and muscle group. But here we're going to explain how to use them to optimise your program. To do this, we're going to present the programs category by category.

Placements of Electrodes for Strength & Conditioning Programs

Categories: Strength & Conditioning, Fitness, and Rehabilitation

When using muscle training programs, the goal is to maximize the recruitment of muscle fibers. Here, both the placement and the type of electrode are crucial:

At the Muscle Ends

You can use any electrode size at the muscle ends since precise targeting isn't required. Larger electrodes are often chosen for comfort, as they diffuse the current over a broader area. For smaller muscle groups, smaller electrodes may be necessary.

For example, when working on the quadriceps, place large electrodes with double snaps on the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis for broader coverage.

At the Motor Point of the Muscle

The motor point is where the motor nerve connects to the muscle. Stimulation here produces the strongest muscle activation. Prioritize precision by using small electrodes to focus the current effectively.

Example: For dual-channel devices like the Fit 5.0, large single-snap electrodes can be used to target more fibers across both legs simultaneously, saving time.

Placement of Electrodes for Recovery, Massage, Capillarization, and Pain Relief (Excluding TENS, Tendinitis, and Epicondylitis)

The goal of these programs is not to recruit muscle fibers but to achieve a pumping or soothing effect. Placement of electrodes and electrode type are less critical in these cases:

Large Areas: Use large single-snap electrodes to cover broader muscle groups effectively.
Example: For recovery on the quadriceps, using a single large electrode at the muscle's end and another covering both vastus medialis and vastus lateralis allows you to use fewer channels and simultaneously target additional muscle groups like calves.

Placement of Electrodes for Pain Relief, Tendinitis, and Epicondylitis

For pain relief programs, place the electrodes directly over the painful area.

Large Painful Areas: Use large single-snap electrodes (5 x 10).
Small, Localized Pain: Use small electrodes (5 x 5).

Optimize Your Electrode Usage

Placement of electrodes doesn’t need to be intimidating - correct placement ensures better comfort and effectiveness.

General Tips:

• Select electrodes based on your goals and muscle size.
• Follow the guidance provided by your Compex device, the website, or the Compex Coach app.
• Avoid applying electrodes to the head, neck, or face.
• Align electrodes along the muscle lines for optimal results.
• For maximum efficiency, consider using a motor point pen to identify the ideal placement for small electrodes, ensuring precise stimulation.

Proven Effectiveness

Backed by clinical studies proving their effectiveness, Compex stimulators also belong to the category of Class II medical devices. They also meet the needs of the European Medical Standard 93/42 EEC.

Compex - Always with you

We're on the side of athletes, amateurs and ordinary people, from the search for better performance to post injury recovery, from post fatigue massage to pain treatment. At Compex, we have just one goal: people's well being.

Choose the one that's right for you, by taking a look at our buying guide.

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