Several years ago, when I had a severe ankle sprain, my rehabilitation included use of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS unit). This small device provided small almost imperceptible electrical shocks to the injured area which encouraged circulation, helped decrease swelling by removing fluid, blocked pain impulses and prevented my muscles from shrinking during the long recovery.

Now a relative of the TENS unit, called an Electrical Muscle Stimulator (EMS unit) is one of the most visible products in TV infomercials and full-page ads in magazines. These ads promise that if you wear an EMS belt, which is shown stimulating the model's rock-hard abdominal muscles, you, too, can have six-pack abs without exercise or dieting.

The premise for the sale of this equipment makes logical sense. If a muscle gets stronger by multiple stresses that cause it to contract, a device that provides that stimulation should give us the same results.

It would be nice if you could get the results these ads promise, but you can't. EMS units may improve muscle endurance but it's only in one position. Moreover, if you have any stored fat covering your abdominals you wouldn't see the results no matter how much time you spend with this somewhat painful machine belted to your waist.

Sales for these products are brisk. They are so brisk the FDA is reportedly looking closely at the claims made by the makers and sellers of these devices to determine whether rules about making unsubstantiated medical claims are being violated.

Many other muscle groups depend on the strength and support of the abdominals to do their work without suffering injury, so it's important to have strong abdominal muscles. But there's no magic. You'll have to work for them.

Your local library is filled with books that will describe the correct way to strengthen the one long band of muscle fiber that is called "your abdominals". The basic "crunch," which focuses on the upper area of this potentially strong muscle is done lying on your back with your legs bent, knees pointed to the ceiling. As you lift the upper part of your body, imagine your belly button pulling in toward your spine. An alternative, which focuses on the lower area of the band of abdominals, is to put your legs in the air, cross them and, by contracting the abdominal area, attempt to hit the ceiling with your feet. Reduce your overall calories and fat intake, exercise regularly and you will not only get strong and healthy you will defy the unscrupulous sales people eager to part you from your hard-earned dollar.