A Compex muscle stimulator is an advanced electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) device designed to contract muscles using controlled electrical impulses. Instead of relying purely on voluntary movement, the device activates muscle fibres directly, helping improve strength, reduce pain, and accelerate recovery.

Compex devices are widely used in physiotherapy, sports performance, and injury rehabilitation. They are especially effective when normal exercise is limited—such as after surgery, during injury recovery, or when dealing with pain.

If you're looking for a Compex rental in Christchurch, this is a practical way to access high-level recovery technology without the cost of purchasing a unit outright..

For post-surgical rehabilitation and muscle activation, one to two sessions per day is a common starting point — typically 20–30 minutes per session. For athletes using Compex for recovery between training sessions, one session after each hard workout is usually sufficient. For strength building programmes, three to five sessions per week delivers the best results. The low-intensity nature of EMS means recovery between sessions is fast, so daily use is well tolerated even during the early stages of recovery. Consistency is the most important factor — regular use over two to four weeks produces significantly better outcomes than sporadic sessions.

After surgery, muscles frequently shut down or weaken significantly due to a phenomenon called arthrogenic muscle inhibition — the nervous system suppresses voluntary muscle activation as a protective response to pain and swelling. This is particularly pronounced in the quadriceps after knee surgery, where patients often find they simply cannot contract the muscle even when trying. Compex bypasses this inhibition by directly stimulating the motor neurons, keeping the muscle active regardless of the inhibition signal. This prevents the rapid atrophy that occurs in the first weeks post-surgery, maintains the neuromuscular connection between brain and muscle, and significantly reduces the strength deficit you need to recover later in rehab. Research consistently shows that patients using EMS post-surgery retain more muscle mass and return to full strength faster than those using conventional rehab alone.

Yes — the Compex 6.0 is designed for safe, unsupervised home use and is one of the most widely used EMS devices in both clinical and home settings worldwide. The device comes with clearly labelled pre-set programmes that take the guesswork out of settings — you select the programme that matches your goal (pain management, muscle activation, recovery, strength) and the device guides you through intensity adjustment from there. You don't need a clinical background or technical knowledge to use it safely and effectively.

That said, there are a small number of situations where Compex should not be used — including over areas with active infection or open wounds, on the chest or throat, during pregnancy, or if you have a pacemaker or implanted cardiac device. It should also be avoided directly over areas of recent deep vein thrombosis. If you have any pre-existing cardiac, neurological or vascular conditions, check with your doctor before use.

Yes — Compex is highly effective for managing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and speeding up recovery between training sessions. The active recovery programmes on the device increase blood flow to fatigued muscles, flush out metabolic waste products and reduce muscle tightness without adding any training load. Most athletes notice a significant reduction in soreness and stiffness within a single 20-minute session. This makes Compex particularly popular with runners, cyclists, CrossFit athletes and team sport players who need to recover quickly between sessions, races or games. Used consistently after hard training, it meaningfully shortens the time between sessions where you're performing at full capacity.

A Compex muscle stimulator is suitable for a wide range of people, including:

• Athletes recovering from injury

• Individuals post-surgery (e.g. ACL, knee, shoulder)

• People with muscle weakness or poor activation

• Runners and gym-goers wanting faster recovery

• Anyone dealing with ongoing pain or swelling

If you're searching for a muscle stimulator rental in Christchurch, chances are you're looking for a way to speed up recovery or improve performance safely—which is exactly where Compex fits in.

One of the advantages of the Compex 6.0 is its versatility — it can be used across almost every major muscle group, making it useful for a wide range of surgeries, injuries and performance goals.

Knee and quadriceps
The most common application. After ACL reconstruction, knee replacement or meniscus repair, the quads often shut down due to pain and swelling — a phenomenon called arthrogenic muscle inhibition.
Hamstrings
Used for hamstring strains, tears and post-surgical rehab. EMS maintains hamstring strength when loading is restricted and supports neuromuscular re-education as part of return-to-sport protocols.
Calf and lower leg
Effective for Achilles tendon repair, calf strains and ankle surgery rehab. EMS stimulation of the calf also improves circulation, helping manage swelling post-surgery.
Shoulder and rotator cuff
Widely used following rotator cuff repair and shoulder stabilisation surgery. Compex helps maintain the small stabilising muscles of the shoulder during the period when active exercise is limited.
Lower back
Used for lower back pain management and spinal surgery recovery. EMS reduces pain, improves local circulation and helps maintain back muscle tone when activity is restricted.
Neck
Used for neck pain, cervical spine injuries and post-surgical recovery. EMS helps manage pain and maintain muscle tone in the cervical region when movement is limited.
Hip and glutes
Useful after hip replacement, hip labrum repair and gluteal injuries. Maintaining glute strength during recovery is important for overall lower limb function and return to walking and sport.

RecoveryTec is based in Christchurch, New Zealand. We deliver and set up equipment across Christchurch, Selwyn and North Canterbury, with pickup and drop-off points available in Lincoln and Belfast.

For anyone outside of Christchurch, we ship our ice compression machines and recovery equipment nationwide by courier — so wherever you are in New Zealand, you can access professional-grade cold compression therapy at home.

To arrange hire, simply fill out the contact form and we'll get back to you to confirm availability and delivery details.

Booking is simple. Head to our contact form, fill in your details and let us know which equipment you need and when you need it. We'll get back to you as soon as possible to confirm availability and arrange a delivery time that works for you.

We do our best to accommodate last-minute requests — so even if your surgery is coming up soon or has already happened, it's always worth getting in touch.

Once confirmed, we'll deliver the machine to your home and walk you through exactly how to use it so you feel confident from day one. Full instructions are included with all equipment and we're always available by phone if you have any questions during your hire.

There's no bond or deposit required. Hire is weekly and can be extended as many times as you need — just let us know.

View full pricing here

• CryoPush Ice Compression Machine

• Normatec Compression Boots

• Blood Flow Restriction Cuffs