Problems And Solutions; How Does Electrostimulation Work - Compex Sport Elite Manuel D'utilisation

11a The small battery symbol has only two re-
ference marks: The batteries are losing their
charge. Interrupt the session and recharge the
device (see the following section).
11b The , symbol normally displayed
START
above the "+"/"–" key of channel 4 has disappea-
red ( ) and the small battery flashes: The
batteries are completely flat. It is no longer pos-
sible to use the device. Recharge it immediately
(see the following section).
Recharging
o recharge the Compex, first discon-
T
nect the electrode cables from the
device, then plug the charger in a
socket and lastly connect the stimula-
tor to the charger (see in section I:
"Connecting the charger"). The
charge menu illustrated below appears
automatically.
12a
12b
Fig. 12
12a The Compex has been charging for 3 mi-
nutes and 8 seconds (a full charge may take from
1h30 to 2 hours with the rapid charger delivered
with your device).
12b Charging is in progress and the small
battery symbol is not completely full.
When charging is completed, total charge dura-
tion flashes and the small battery is completely
full. The Compex switches off automatically as
soon as you disconnect the charger.

8. Problems and solutions

Electrode fault
13a-14a The Compex "bleeps" and alternati-
vely displays the symbol of a couple of elec-
trodes and an arrow pointing to the channel
where a problem has been detected. Below, the
stimulator has detected an electrode fault on
channel 2
This message may mean that:
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13a
Fig. 13
14a
Fig. 14
1) there is no electrode connected to this
channel;
2) the electrodes are old, worn out and/or the
contact is poor: try using new electrodes;
3) the electrode cable is defective: try it using
another channel. If cable shows a default again,
please replace.
Recharging error
recharging error may happen du-
A
ring charging. The Compex "bleeps"
continuously and the following
screen is displayed:
Fig. 15
f this message appears, disconnect
I
the charger and the device switches
off automatically. Please contact the
hotline, noting this error code.
f, for any reason, you experience
I
any other trouble with your device,
please contact the hotline mentioned
and approved by Compex Médical SA.
IV. HOW DOES ELECTROSTIMULATION
WORK
T he principle of electrostimulation is
to stimulate nerve fibres by means of
electrical impulses transmitted by
electrodes.
T he electrical impulses generated by
Compex stimulators are high-quality
impulses – ensuring safety, comfort
and efficiency – that stimulate diffe-
rent types of nerve fibres:
1. the motor nerves to stimulate a muscular res-
ponse. The quantity of work and the benefits ob-
tained depend on the stimulation parameters.
This is known as electromuscularstimulation
(EMS).
2. certain types of sensitive nerve fibres to obtain
analgesic or pain-relieving effects.
1. Motor nerve stimulation
(EMS)
n voluntary activity, the order for
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muscular work comes from the brain,
which sends a command to the nerve
fibres in the form of an electrical si-
gnal. This signal is then transmitted to
the muscular fibres, which contract.
he principle of electrostimulation ac-
T
curately reproduces the process ob-
served during a voluntary contraction.
The stimulator sends an electrical cur-
rent impulse to the nerve fibres, exci-
ting them. This excitation is then
transmitted to the muscular fibres
causing a basic mechanical response
(= muscular twitch). The latter consti-
tutes the basic requirement for mus-
cular contraction.
his muscular response is completely
T
identical to muscular work controlled
by the brain. In other words, the mus-
cle cannot distinguish whether the
command comes from the brain or
from the stimulator.
he parameters of the Compex pro-
T
grammes (number of impulses per se-
cond, contraction time, rest time, total
Electrical
impulse
Excitation
Excitation
transmission
Motor
nerve
Stimulated
muscle
Basic mechanical response = muscular twitch
programme time) subject the muscles
to different types of work, according
to muscular fibres. In fact, different
types of muscular fibres may be
distinguished according to their res-
pective contraction speed: slow,
intermediate and fast fibres. The fast
fibres will obviously predominate in
a sprinter, while a marathon runner
will have more slow fibres. With a
good knowledge of human physiology
and a perfect mastery of the stimula-
tion parameters of the various pro-
grammes, the muscular work can be
directed very precisely towards the
desired goal (muscular reinforcement,
increased blood flow, firming up, etc.).
2. Stimulation of the
sensitive nerves
he electrical impulses can also ex-
T
cite the sensitive nerve fibres to ob-
tain an analgesic or pain-relieving
effect.
he stimulation of the tactile sensitive
T
nerve fibres blocks the transmission
of pain by the nervous system. The
stimulation of another type of
sensitive fibres creates an increase in
the production of endorphins and,
therefore, a reduction of pain.
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