1. Counter-indications
Important counter-indications
■ Cardiac stimulator (pacemaker)
■ Epilepsy
■ Pregnancy (no positioning in the
abdominal area)
■ Serious arterial circulatory problems
in the lower limbs
■ Abdominal or inguinal hernia
Precautions when using the
Compex
■ After trauma or a recent operation
(less than 6 months)
■ Muscular atrophy
■ Persistent pains
■ Need for muscular rehabilitation
Osteosynthesis equipment
The presence of osteosynthesis
equipment (metallic equipment in
contact with the bone: pins, screws, plates,
prostheses, etc.) is not a counter-indication
for the use of Compex programs. The
electrical current of the Compex is specially
designed to have no harmful effect with
regard to osteosynthesis equipment.
In all of the above cases, you are
advised to:
■ never use the Compex for prolonged
periods without medical advice;
■ consult your doctor if you are in
any doubt whatsoever;
■ read this manual carefully and the
applications manual which provides
information concerning the effects
and indications of each stimulation
program.
2. Safety measures
What you should not do with
the Compex and the m-4
system
■ Do not use the Compex or the m-
4 system in water or in a humid
atmosphere (sauna, hydrotherapy, etc.).
■ Never carry out an initial stimulation
session on a person who is standing.
The first five minutes of stimulation
must always be performed on a person
who is sitting or lying down. In rare
instances, very highly strung people
may have a vagal reaction. This is of
psychological origin and is connected
with a fear of the muscle stimulation
as well as surprise at seeing one of
their muscles contract without having
intentionally contracted it themselves.
This vagal reaction produces a feeling
of weakness with a fainting tendency,
slowing down of the heartrate and a
reduction in arterial blood pressure.
If this does occur, all that is required
is to stop the stimulation and lie down
with the legs raised for the time it
takes for the feeling of weakness to
disappear (5 to 10 minutes).
■ Never allow movement resulting
from muscular contraction during a
stimulation session. You should always
stimulate isometrically; this means
that the extremities of the limb in
which a muscle is being stimulated
must be firmly fixed, so as to prevent
the movement that results from
contraction.
■ Do not use the device or the m-
4 system at less than 1.5 metres
from a short-wave device, a micro-
wave device or high frequency (H.F.)
surgical equipment to avoid the risk
of causing skin irritations or burns
under the electrodes.
I. WARNINGS
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