Dr. Laxmi Devi is a dedicated physiotherapist with over 18 years of experience in the UAE, specializing in a wide range of physiotherapy fields including Orthopedics, Neurorehabilitation, Women's Health, and Sports Therapy.
Throughout her career, Dr. Devi has worked to help patients achieve pain-free lives through rehabilitation, but she understands the challenges many face in sticking with traditional strength training and exercise routines.
In this interview, Dr. Devi discusses the growing role of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) in physiotherapy. She explains how EMS can accelerate muscle strengthening, especially for patients who struggle with traditional exercises. Dr. Devi also emphasizes the benefits of EMS for women, particularly in relieving post-pregnancy pain, strengthening muscles, and preventing chronic aches. With its time efficiency and effectiveness, Dr. Devi sees EMS as an innovative tool that could transform rehabilitation practices, offering patients a more accessible and effective solution to their recovery needs.
myostyle: Can you briefly introduce yourself and share how you got into physiotherapy and EMS training?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: I am a professional physiotherapist with over 18 years of experience in the UAE. I have worked in various areas of physiotherapy, including orthopedics, neurology, women's health, and more. Rehabilitation is primarily about strengthening muscles and helping them reach their full potential. With EMS, we can support patients in achieving this goal faster and more effectively without causing them to fatigue quickly. I believe EMS can be a great asset in orthopedic rehabilitation, especially for conditions like back pain or neck pain.
EMS is not just a way to speed up the rehabilitation process; it can also help patients stay active in the long run. In modern physiotherapy, it is essential to integrate new technologies to provide patients with even more effective treatments.
myostyle: In your opinion, what are the biggest advantages of EMS training compared to traditional strength training?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: From my experience, I can say that most patients do NOT like exercising. When they come to physiotherapy, they are required to do exercises and follow specific treatments, but once the pain subsides, they stop exercising and fall back into a sedentary lifestyle—often leading to recurring issues. The advantage of EMS is that patients only need to train twice a week for 20 minutes each session and don't have to worry about pain returning. Additionally, they don’t need to go to the gym for strength training because the EMS suit does all the work in less than half an hour—making it both time-efficient and effective.
Another advantage is that EMS activates not only the large muscle groups but also the deeper muscles that are difficult to target with conventional training. This makes it particularly valuable for individuals with chronic pain or mobility limitations.
myostyle: In which areas do you use EMS in your practice, and for which patient groups do you recommend it the most?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: I have not yet used EMS on patients, but I have tried it myself and found it to be excellent. I believe it can have a very positive impact on patients with lower back pain, weak abdominal muscles, weakened leg muscles, and, to some extent, weak pelvic floor muscles.
Especially for elderly patients or those with limited mobility, EMS could be highly beneficial as it provides a joint-friendly training method. I see great potential in helping patients gradually regain an active lifestyle.
myostyle: What are the specific benefits of EMS training for women?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: We all know that women are more prone to physical discomfort due to various factors, whether it’s pregnancy, the dual burden of work and family, or everyday household chores. Without a prior exercise routine, these activities can lead to moderate to severe pain over time. Additionally, many women barely take time for themselves. I believe that if they train with EMS for just one hour a week, it can work wonders—alleviating pain while strengthening muscles to prevent future issues.
Moreover, EMS can help improve posture and stabilize the back muscles, which is particularly beneficial after pregnancy or for those who sit for long hours at work. Many women also report improved body awareness and a greater sense of well-being after training.
myostyle: Can women use EMS during pregnancy or after childbirth? What should they consider?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: I do not recommend EMS during pregnancy. However, after childbirth, once the C-section scar has healed and their gynecologist gives the green light, it can be used. The best part is that EMS stimulates all the muscles in the body simultaneously. In traditional gym workouts, people train specific body parts separately, but for women, I personally recommend a full-body workout for 20 minutes twice a week. Not only can this relieve pain and strengthen muscles, but it also improves mood by stimulating the release of endorphins—the so-called happiness hormones.
Especially after childbirth, EMS can help strengthen the pelvic floor and reactivate the abdominal muscles. Targeted EMS training can support the body’s postpartum recovery and enhance overall well-being for new mothers.
myostyle: What positive effects have you observed in female clients regarding back pain relief, skin tightening, or metabolism activation?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: I am convinced that all these effects can be achieved with a single EMS device. It’s like an "all-in-one solution" for the body, where each benefit complements the other. Pain relief goes hand in hand with muscle strengthening, which in turn contributes to firmer skin. At the same time, muscle activation improves circulation and boosts metabolism. It’s a win-win scenario!
When combined with a balanced diet and adequate movement, EMS can help optimize results. Many users report improved body confidence and better posture after regular use.
myostyle: How can EMS be effectively integrated into physiotherapy treatments?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: EMS has great potential as a complementary method in physiotherapy, particularly for back pain, muscle weakness, and postoperative rehabilitation. Through targeted muscle stimulation, it can support therapy and help patients build strength faster without overloading them. The possibilities offered by myostyle EMS are promising, and I see it as a valuable method to ensure long-term therapeutic success. I am excited to integrate it into my treatment plans and provide my patients with an even more effective therapy.
The adaptability of EMS to various needs makes it an ideal addition to personalized therapy plans. In the future, it could even become a standard part of physiotherapeutic rehabilitation programs.
myostyle: What are some common misconceptions or myths about EMS that you frequently hear from clients, and how do you clarify them?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: Some people believe that EMS is only for gyms and trainers. This is a myth! Anyone can have their own EMS suit at home and train comfortably without needing to go to a gym. While traditional trainers take a more conventional approach, EMS allows users to achieve the same goals—but in an easier and more convenient way!
Another misconception is that EMS is only for young, athletic individuals. In reality, it can be used by people of all ages, as it is fully customizable and can be a safe and effective training method even for older or less mobile individuals.
myostyle: Do you believe EMS will play an even bigger role in physiotherapy in the future? Why?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: With artificial intelligence advancing in all fields, I am sure that EMS devices will become very popular in physiotherapy and provide an easy way to accelerate the rehabilitation process. This could allow athletes, for example, to return to the field in no time.
I also believe that EMS will be increasingly integrated into everyday physiotherapy practices, as it offers a time-efficient and highly effective way to support muscle recovery and prevent injuries.
myostyle: What advice would you give to people who are curious about EMS but unsure if it is right for them?
Dr. Laxmi Devi: I believe that if someone is skeptical about something, they should go ahead and explore it. Don’t stay in doubt and simply listen to others—experience it yourself to form your own opinion. That’s why I highly recommend taking advantage of a FREE demo session to break any myths and see the benefits firsthand before making a decision. Don’t judge based on other people’s perspectives—create your own!
It’s always best to try something new with an open mind. Once people see how simple and effective EMS can be, they often realize how much it can support their personal health and fitness goals.