Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation For Pain Relief

By Francis Barron


Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation, or TENS, is used for this kind of pain problems as post-surgical, deep, neurological, sympathetically mediated, arthritis, myofacial and low back. It is also accustomed to treat bladder incontinence. It's one of the most commonly used types of electro analgesia. Neuromodulation is made by restoration associated with afferent input, immediate inhibition of abnormally fired up nerves, endogenous pain control and presynaptic inhibition in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.

The unit consists of one or more electrical signal generators, electrodes and a electric battery. It is programmable and small and can provide stimuli along with changeable current, pulse widths and pulse rates. Biphasic may be the favorite waveform. Patients are advised to experiment with intensities as well as frequencies to get the best setting to provide pain manage. Electrodes are placed over the area of discomfort and other points such as traditional chinese medicine sites, bring about points as well as cutaneous nerves.

There are three standard setting choices used that include conventional, acupuncture-like and pulsed. With the standard setting this uses a higher frequency and low environment of strength. The duration of the pulse is actually short. Pain alleviation is effective while the device is on but pain returns when it's off. Individuals will leave the electrodes upon all day as well as turn them on in 30 minute intervals. In some patients the effects can last beyond the stimulus intervals. The actual acupuncture-like setting delivers a low frequency high intensity stimulus. It can be uncomfortable and some individuals cannot tolerate it, it is used once the conventional method does not work. Pulsed uses low strength firing in high frequency bursts.

The comfort of the patient is essential in figuring out the effectiveness of the treatment. The higher heartbeat widths are more painful and the higher intensity impulse is as well. Electroconductive carbamide peroxide gel is applied on skin underneath the electrodes to minimize any blockage from the current. Problems are rare but occasionally people will have skin discomfort. The mp3 used on the electrodes can cause irritation. People with pacemakers can have problems too.

Initial pain relief is experienced in 70 to 80 percent associated with patients but it decreases after a few months close to 20 to 30 percent. Many patients use the device on a daily basis. Pulse frequencies as well as patterns are adjusted consistently. The range of final results fluctuates a good deal, most are favorable.

After surgery TENS is very effective in treating mild to moderate pain but is not good at treating serious pain. There have been beneficial results in using it for myofacial and lower lower back pain. It has been useful when you are treating diabetic neuropathy, urge urinary incontinence and angina pecoria. For regaining engine function within stroke individuals and to help with nausea in patients within chemotherapy it has been successful.

TENS should not be utilized on patients who've pacemakers. It may cause premature labor in pregnant women. It should not be applied over the carotid sinuses or even the anterior neck. Electrodes should not be placed over areas which have been burned. TENS should be used carefully along with patients that have an intrathecal pump or perhaps a spinal cord stimulator.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation may help to relieve some kinds of pain. It's good for short-term alleviation as it is not as effective on chronic pain. It stimulates the production of endorphins.




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