Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)
Find your pelvic health specialistAt Solent Specialist Physiotherapy, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) may be considered in selected cases as part of a broader management pathway. NMES is a specialist pelvic health rehabilitation tool that may be used in selected cases to support muscle activation, awareness, and control.
It is most commonly used where pelvic floor muscle function is reduced and where additional support may be helpful alongside a structured pelvic health physiotherapy programme.
NMES is only recommended where clinically appropriate and is always part of a broader treatment plan.
What is NMES?
NMES uses controlled electrical stimulation to help activate targeted muscles.
In pelvic health rehabilitation, NMES may be used to support improved muscle recruitment where normal activation is difficult to achieve through exercise alone — particularly in early stages of rehabilitation or where symptoms have been long-standing.
When NMES may be considered
NMES may be recommended as part of pelvic health physiotherapy when:
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pelvic floor muscle activation is reduced
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muscle awareness and control are difficult to establish
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symptoms have persisted despite initial rehabilitation strategies
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additional support may help progress treatment more effectively
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a clinician identifies that NMES is appropriate following assessment
How NMES fits within pelvic health physiotherapy
NMES is not a standalone treatment.
It is used as an adjunct to a pelvic health rehabilitation plan, which may also include:
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assessment and diagnosis
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pelvic floor muscle retraining
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movement and strength rehabilitation
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symptom-specific education and strategies
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graded progression over time
The goal is always to support long-term improvement through appropriate rehabilitation, rather than reliance on passive treatments.
Arranging an appointment
If you think NMES may be relevant to your symptoms, we recommend starting with a pelvic health specialist assessment. This ensures the decision to request imaging is grounded in clinical reasoning that aligns with your goals.
