Welcome back to the ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST, where we make real science feel clear and useful.
Today, we explore a brand-new study from Kobe Gakuin University (Japan, 2024) that examined how gentle electrical muscle contractions can naturally reduce pain — even when you don’t move a single joint.
As always, you’ll find a direct link to the original peer-reviewed study at the end of this post, so you can fact-check, verify, or even collect it for your own research folder.
🧩 What Were Scientists Trying to Discover?
Researchers wanted to know whether muscle contractions alone, caused by Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), could trigger the body’s natural pain-reducing system.
We already know exercise can raise pain tolerance — a phenomenon called exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). But does the same thing happen if the muscles move because of electricity instead of effort?
🧪 Who Took Part?
Twenty-seven adults joined the study. None had chronic pain or injuries.
Each person received two separate sessions — one real EMS session and one sham session (no muscle contraction).
⚙️ What Exactly Did They Do?
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Where: Non-dominant thigh (quadriceps).
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How long: 20 minutes.
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Frequency: 30 Hz (5 seconds on / 10 seconds off).
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Goal: Make the muscle contract gently, without moving the joint.
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Sham control: Same setup but with no actual muscle contraction.
After each session, scientists measured how much pressure it took for the participant to say “that hurts” — called the pressure pain threshold (PPT)
📊 What Did They Find?
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Pain tolerance improved only in the muscle that was actually stimulated.
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The pressure pain threshold rose by 26% in that thigh, meaning the same spot could handle more pressure before feeling pain .
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No changes happened in other body parts (shin or arm).
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The more muscle mass a person had, the bigger the improvement.
💡 What Does It Mean in Plain English?
Even without moving, EMS-made contractions helped the muscle itself become less sensitive to pain.
This shows the relief comes from local muscle action, not the brain’s “pain switch.”
Think of it like this:
When a muscle gently contracts, it releases natural anti-pain messengers that calm nearby nerves — a mini pain-relief station inside your leg.
🔬 Why This Matters for Everyday People
For those who:
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can’t exercise easily,
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sit for long hours, or
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live with stiffness or mild pain —
EMS offers a way to keep muscles active and reduce local discomfort without strain.
📅 How Long Until It Works?
The relief appeared right after one 20-minute session.
More muscle = stronger local effect.
🧠 Study At a Glance
| Question | Simple Answer |
|---|---|
| Who did the study? | Kobe Gakuin University, Japan (2024) |
| Participants | 27 healthy adults (18 – 23 years) |
| How long per session? | 20 minutes |
| Frequency & settings | 30 Hz / 5 s on – 10 s off |
| What improved? | Pain tolerance in the stimulated muscle (+26%) |
| What stayed the same? | Other body areas – no change |
| Why important? | Shows muscle movement alone can ease pain locally |
💬 What the Researchers Said
“The analgesic effects of EMS-induced muscle contractions are primarily localized to the stimulated muscles rather than mediated by the central nervous system.”
⚡ Take-Home Message
You don’t always need heavy exercise for your body to eas e pain.
Even short, gentle electrical muscle contractions can activate natural pain-relief chemicals inside the muscle itself.
That’s good news for anyone who’s short on time, mobility, or energy — and still wants to feel better.
🏆 Featured Product
ORIEMS FIT Ultimate Kit — inspired by the same EMS principles studied in Japan.
It helps keep your muscles active, comfortable, and strong — even on your rest days.
👉 Learn More → oriems.fit
⚠️ Disclaimer
The ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST summarizes independent, peer-reviewed research for educational purposes.
It does not make medical claims or offer treatment advice. Results vary among individuals. Use EMS devices responsibly and follow safety instructions.
📚 Source
Ohga S et al. (2024). Impact of electrical muscle stimulation-induced muscle contractions on endogenous pain modulatory system: a quantitative sensory testing evaluation. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25:1077. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-08154-x
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