Mechanisms Of Tens Reduction On Analgesia
TENS activates a complex neuronal network to result in a reduction in pain. At frequencies and intensities used clinically, TENS activates large diameter afferent fibers . This afferent input is sent to the central nervous system to activate descending inhibitory systems to reduce hyperalgesia. Specifically, blockade of neuronal activity in the periaqueductal gray , rostral ventromedial medulla and spinal cord inhibit the analgesic effects of TENS showing that TENS analgesia is maintained through these pathways . In parallel, studies in people with fibromyalgia show that TENS can restore central pain modulation, a measure of central inhibition . Therefore, TENS reduces hyperalgesia through both peripheral and central mechanisms.
How Does A Tens Machine Work
TENS machines produce an electrical impulse that can be adjusted for pulse, frequency, and intensity. The exact mechanism by which it works to reduce or even eliminate pain is still unknown. There are several possible ways TENS works. For example, TENS may inhibit pain pathways or increase the secretion of the pain-reducing substances in the central nervous system. TENS is a noninvasive way to treat pain. Pain messages may be altered enough to provide temporary or even long-lasting pain relief. Besides controlling pain, this type of electrical stimulation can also improve local circulation and reduce or eliminate muscle spasm.Recent research has also shown that autosuggestion or the placebo effect is a powerful way many people experience pain relief or decrease their symptoms. This means that by simply believing a treatment it has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. This effect can be true for the positive effects of using TENS as well.
What Is A Tens Machine And How Does It Work
A TENS machine is a small battery-powered unit which adheres to your skin via sticky pads called electrodes. The electrodes trasmit small electrical impulses, creating a tingling or pins and needles sensation in your skin which distracts the nerves in the area to reduce pain signals and help relax muscle spasm. The effects can last for up to 4 hours afterwards.
Read Also: Is Swimming Good For Back Pain
What Is Tens Unit For Pain Management & How Does It Works
What is TENS massager? In this video, we will learn what is TENS machine for pain relief and how does it work.-Buy Agaro TENS massager from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DSmcDGCheck Agaro website for more lifestyle products: https://www.agarolifestyle.com/Download exercise charts for various joint pain: https://www.instamojo.com/physiocapsule-Read our blog for other health-related article: https://www.physiosunit.comFind useful health product that I recommend on Amazon:
Some of the useful playlist to help you:1: Back pain video series:
2: Upper Back, Neck and Shoulder pain videos:
3: Heel pain solution videos:
4: Elbow pain video: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhdKkNP3sLkAE1wZvVm6MODuE44hcOso8
5: Leg pain video: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhdKkNP3sLkDneuJ7uzrgPP5mOBdPISDE
6: Shoulder pain & stiffness video: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhdKkNP3sLkBEqtRudWJfJ-FvxSmOMyoV
7: Knee pain videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhdKkNP3sLkCJT4Grwh9REuFJySZSYH0a
#drsunitphysio #TENSunit
About the Chronic Pain Chronicle
The Chronic Pain Chronicle draws on information from multiple sources. No claim is made as to the accuracy of information from outside sources. The Chronic Pain Chronicle does not provide medical advice or guidance. You should consult a physician for definitive information.
Affiliate Links
Massage Therapy For Pain
A massage can be incredibly relaxing and is great for relieving tension. Massage also enhances blood flow to affected areas to ease tightness and stiffness in the muscles. This makes massage therapy a common intervention for various types of muscle pain and discomfort. With massage therapy devices, you can administer a massage to yourself. These devices produce vibrations that mimic the actions of a masseuse. You can find handheld massagers that can be used on many parts of the body as well as wraps and cushions that massage specific areas like the neck or back.
You May Like: What Is A Lower Back Strain
A Guide To Treating Neuropathy Using Tens Therapy
Neuropathy is a painful and uncomfortable condition. Those who are diagnosed with it often are prescribed tricyclic antidepressants as a first line of treatment. Some are also prescribed serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors , as well as a variety of other options. Many people, unsurprisingly, are looking for more natural ways to treat their neuropathy, particularly because this can help them avoid the various side effects that come with drugs. One such option is TENS therapy.
What Is A Tens Unit
A TENS unit is a battery-operated device that delivers low or high intensity electrical impulses through electrodes that you attach to the skin near the painful area. A TENS unit for back pain doesnt treat an underlying spinal condition, but it may be a helpful in treating pain and other symptoms. Still, for some patients, a TENS device may be all thats needed, says Stuart Kahn, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon at The Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.
Don’t Miss: Why Do I Have Sudden Lower Back Pain
What Is The Best Tens Unit For Back Pain Relief
While all TENS machines can be used to treat back pain, there are some that may do a better job. But it simply depends on your preferences and how you plan to use the machine.
If you plan to treat yourself at home and need powerful relief plus EMS consider a TENS EMS Combo like the The Omega Tens & EMS Combo Unit. For easy, at-home relief of chronic or minor back pain, the TENS 7000 and TENS 3000 are the best TENS machines to treat back pain.
One of the best TENS units designed specifically to treat back pain is the TENS 7000To Go Back Pain Relief System. It has a special pad for back pain treatments.
Comparing The Options For Healing Your Fracture
TENS units are good for soft tissue and primarily used for pain relief, though results vary by person. Bone growth stimulators can speed up the healing of fractures and allow you to get back to normal activities sooner. Electrical stimulation is effective but cannot be used with any metal fixation. LIPUS devices are the best choice for fracture healing as they speed up the process and can be used with metal.
If you use either electrical or ultrasound therapy for your fracture, ensure that you are following your doctors guidelines for treatment, rest, and exercise. Its also important to maintain a nutritious diet to get the essential vitamins needed for healing and to not smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol.
Melmak devices use LIPUS technology for faster treatment of stress fractures. Medlines Inc. provides a clinically proven, safe, non-invasive, and easy treatment option for Canadian patients suffering from fractures. This includes the rental of LIPUS devices for at-home treatment of fractures. If you have any questions about how bone growth stimulators could work for you, please contact our team to learn more.
Don’t Miss: How To Tape Your Back For Lower Back Pain
Bad Back Nerve Stimulation Won’t Help
Denise Mann
- Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation doesn’t help back pain, study finds
- TENS transmits weak electric current through electrodes at pain site
- Other experts say research is insufficient to completely dismiss TENS’ value
- Back pain is the second most common cause of disability in the U.S. after arthritis
— A popular pain-relief treatment that uses electricity to stimulate nerves isn’t likely to benefit the millions of Americans who live with chronic low back pain and shouldn’t be recommended for that purpose, new guidelines say.
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, or TENS, is delivered using a small battery-operated generator connected to a set of electrodes. The generator, about the size of a BlackBerry, transmits a weak electric current through the electrodes, which are attached to the skin at the site of chronic pain or at other key points.
Despite their popularity, there is little evidence that these devices are effective for chronic low back pain, according to the guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology, which were published Wednesday in the journal Neurology.
“Physicians are advised against ordering TENS for patients with chronic low back pain since it is proven not to work,” says the lead author of the guidelines, Richard Dubinsky, M.D., a professor of neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
What To Expect With Tens Therapy
TENS therapy typically uses electrodes on small, sticky pads attached via wires to a battery-operated device. The electrodes are placed over the area in pain, and current is sent through the electrodes, stimulating the sensory nerves and creating a tingling sensation that reduces the feeling of pain.
A hand-held controller allows the individual to select from a range of options, such as high frequency or low frequency current as well as complex patterns of stimulation.
People are often introduced to TENS therapy during physical therapy or in a chiropractor’s office. This gives the individual the opportunity to see whether pain relief is sufficient to consider purchasing a TENS unit for home use.
See Chiropractic Services Beyond Adjustments
In recent years, a number of TENS products have been marketed as wearable devices. Some of these devices deliver current directly from electrodes in a battery-powered unit worn on the body. The unit may be strapped to a leg or attached to the back, shoulder, knee, or other part of the body. These devices are typically not visible under clothing.
Therapy may be done in 30-minute segments or run continuously. Overnight therapy is possible in some cases.
The response to TENS varies widely. While many individuals consider TENS a key part of their treatment, TENS does not relieve pain for everyone.
You May Like: What Do Doctors Prescribe For Back Pain
How Does Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Work
There are two theories about how transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation works. One theory is that the electric current stimulates nerve cells that block the transmission of pain signals, modifying your perception of pain. The other theory is that nerve stimulation raises the level of endorphins, which are the bodys natural pain-killing chemical. The endorphins then block the perception of pain.
Does Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Therapy Relieve Pain
Results from using TENS for pain relief have been variable and inconclusive. In some studies, patients have reported pain relief with the use of TENS. In other studies, pain relief using TENS was not significantly greater than reported by sham TENS in other studies, results were better than placebo. Efficacy may depend on many factors including the type of condition for which pain relief is sought, where electrodes are positioned on the skin, and the settings of the TENS unit itself . Researchers say that a lack of randomized trials of TENS versus conventional therapy makes it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of TENS and that more study is needed.
Physical therapists, acupuncturists, and other healthcare professionals may offer TENS therapy. TENS devices are also available by prescription. Other electrical stimulation devices can be purchased over-the-counter. Always check with your doctor or healthcare professional before using the device. Carefully follow the instructions of the device manufacturer.
Recommended Reading: What Is A Back Pain Doctor Called
How Much Does A Tens Unit Cost
A TENS device is available online and can be used at home. Its not typically covered by insurance, but you also dont need a prescription for one.
A TENS unit is a $30 to $100 expense. Dr. Kahn explains that is it is not so helpful for acute back pain, but for almost all of my patients with chronic back pain, I do use it and prescribe it. You can typically count on a TENS unit to last several years, but you will need to replace the electrodes as frequently as weekly, which feature transmitting gel built in to the disposable pads. A months supply of electrodes costs roughly $10 to $15. Some units can be much more expensive, but its not clear that theres a benefit to devices in this premium price point.
TENS units on the higher end of the price range typically offer intensity levels that are powerful enough to stimulate and contract muscles for treating muscle spasms. Almost always, when you have spine pain, youre going to have muscle spasm and muscle irritability in the surrounding muscles of the spine, Dr. Kahn says.
Tens Unit To Treat Herniated Discs
Since herniated discs are often characterized by the immense amount of pain they cause, it should come as no surprise that a TENS unit can help to relieve your pain. In fact, there are plenty of recent studies that have proven this exact concept.
Now, were going to review some of the scientific data that backs up the benefits of a TENS unit on herniated discs.
You May Like: How Much Advil For Back Pain
Neurotransmitters & Receptors That Mediate Tens Analgesia
HF TENS increases the concentration of -endorphins in the bloodstream and cerebrospinal fluid, and methionine-enkephalin in the cerebrospinal fluid, in human subjects . The analgesia produced reduction in hyperalgesia by HF TENS is prevented by blockade of opioid receptors in the RVM or spinal cord, or synaptic transmission in the ventrolateral PAG . This opioid-mediated analgesia produced by HF TENS has been confirmed in human subjects . Furthermore, the reduction in hyperalgesia produced by HF TENS is prevented by blockade of muscarinic receptors and GABAA receptors in the spinal cord . However, blockade of serotonin or noradrenergic receptors in the spinal cord has no effect on the reversal of hyperalgesia produced by HF TENS . Thus, HF TENS produces analgesia by activating endogenous inhibitory mechanisms in the central nervous system involving opioid GABA, and muscarinic receptors.
Trumedic Tens Unit Electronic Pulse Massager
The truMedic TENS Unit is a great tens unit that you can purchase over the counter. It is highly affordable and is highly effective. It can be used to reduce stress, muscular pain, stiffness and even chronic back pain.
This unit stimulates nerves and in turn relaxes the body and reduces the pain felt in muscles. It uses powerful TENS electrotherapy to provide effective electronic pain relief.
Youll be pleased to know that this lightweight TENS unit is small and highly portable. You can take it anywhere with you, so if you experience back pain after playing sports or after a session at the gym, you can take it with you and use it straight after your activity for instant relief. You could even use it in the office to relax your back after an early morning workout.
The truMedic TENS Unit is simple to use. Its controls are simply labeled for self-explanatory operation and you can choose from 5 automatic programs.
Also Check: How To Stretch Lower Back To Relieve Pain
Intensity Of Tens Established As A Critical Factor In Efficacy
The intensity of stimulation utilized is critical with TENS application. Using the strongest intensity that remains comfortable produces hypoalgesia in healthy subjects lower intensities are ineffective . In addition to activation of greater numbers of sensory afferents, higher pulse amplitudes are proposed to activate deeper tissue afferents allowing for greater analgesia . High intensity TENS decreases post-operative opioid requirements and negative opioid-side effects . Even as researchers demonstrate the importance of intensity in TENS delivery, TENS systematic reviews continue to include studies with wide ranging intensity settings. In fact, as outlined below, application of TENS at inadequate intensities is one of the primary factors attributed to conflicting reports of TENS efficacy. Therefore, clinicians should strive to apply TENS at the maximally tolerated intensity for each individual person.
Does A Tens Unit Help A Herniated Disc
Having a herniated disc can be extremely painful and debilitating. While there are plenty of treatment methods out there like NSAIDs, physical therapy, and muscle relaxers, they only seem to provide short-term relief, and they dont work for everybody.
So, does a TENS unit help aherniated disc? A TENS unit can be used to relieve lower back pain and improve posture in those with herniated discs and lower back conditions. It can also help to reduce swelling and stiffness in the lower back. This can help to improve your mobility and overall range of motion.
Herniated discs tend to be quite complicated conditions. So, were going to review what exactly a herniated disc is, how this condition is typically treated, and how a TENS unit might help with pain relief.
Don’t Miss: How To Remedy Lower Back Pain
Side Effects And Other Drawbacks Of Tens
Before deciding whether or not TENS might be an appropriate treatment for yourself, you need to be aware of the fact that it does have some potential side effects. These include:
Omron Electrotherapy Pain Relief Device Pm3030
The Omron electroTHERAPY TENS unit is one of the most affordable choices on the market. This simple and basic unit lacks the many options offered by more expensive devices, but it still manages to provide an effective solution for pain relief.
3 simple programs allow you to choose between arm, lower back and leg/foot areas. Each of these programs has 5 levels of intensity so you can customize the session. The program is administered using the electrode pads provided with the unit. These pads have a long lifespan and can last for up to 150 uses. There is a holder for the pads so that you can keep them together and protect them from damage.
This TENS unit is small and lightweight. You can transport it in a pocket with ease so you can use it discreetly in any location. It is fully approved for home use and utilizes the same TENS technology that has been proven to be effective for the past 30 years.
Don’t Miss: What Is Best To Take For Back Pain