An electrical stimulation method for the reduction of joint compression is
disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the method utilizes an electrical
stimulation device that includes a plurality of channels of electrodes
each of which includes at least a first and second electrode positioned
in electrical contact with tissue of at least two muscles crossing a
joint. Agonist/antagonist muscles involved in abduction/adduction,
flexion/extension, supination/pronation, protraction/retraction, and/or
eversion/inversion of body regions via joint movement are stimulated with
a patterned series of electrical pulses through channels of electrodes in
accordance with a procedure for reducing joint compression. The patterned
series of electrical pulses may comprise: a plurality of cycles of a
biphasic sequential pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a
biphasic overlapping pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a
triphasic sequential pulse train pattern; and a plurality of cycles of a
triphasic overlapping pulse train pattern.