A few things that help: eat a little something with carbs and protein an hour or two before, stay well hydrated before and after, and don’t schedule anything too demanding right after your first few sessions until you know how your body responds. As you adapt over the first several weeks, that wiped-out feeling usually eases.

If instead of normal tiredness you feel genuinely unwell — dizzy or nauseated, or you get severe soreness, swelling, or dark urine over the next day or two — that is not the standard response. Ease off and check the pinned safety notice.

What's not normal: sharp, stabbing, or burning sensations, or stinging at a single spot. That usually means the intensity is too high or an electrode isn't making good contact — turn it down and check placement. Mild redness afterward is common and fades within an hour.

If you ever feel faint, or get severe pain, weakness, or dark urine in the days after a session, stop and see a doctor — see the pinned safety notice on rhabdomyolysis.