Patent ID: 8346367

Claim:
A method for improving mobility of an affected joint of an articular segment, wherein the joint is associated with at least a first muscle group and at least a second muscle group each having an antagonistic relationship for causing the articular segment to move through a range of motion when recruited by natural neural impulses, the method comprising: positioning at least two first electrodes proximate to the at least first muscle group; positioning at least two second electrodes proximate to the at least second muscle group; placing an applicator on the articular segment such that the at least two first electrodes and the at least two second electrodes are disposed between the applicator and the articular segment, the applicator being configured to reduce compressive forces on at least one compartment of the affected joint; and applying motor-level electrical stimulation to the at least first and second muscle groups via the at least two first and second electrodes in a multiphasic pattern corresponding to a sequence of electromyographic outputs.