What is TENS?
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It is an affordable process by which you can use electricity to reduce your pain.
A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that has leads connected to sticky pads called electrodes. These electrodes are placed around the area of pain and send different pulses of electricity to the area to reduce pain and muscle tension at and between the patches.
The patches are designed to be reusable, but it helps to clean the area with prior to use and sometimes hair removal is necessary to get good contact with the skin.
Most TENS units have multiple settings that deliver pulses in different patterns to allow you to find the best setting to confuse the pain receptors in the area. Different people like different settings and patterns that range from a burst, to a ramping up and down, to a constant tingle.
How does TENS work to relieve my pain?
The TENS unit sends bursts of electricity into the skin and shallow portions of the muscles to reduce the sensation of pain going to the spinal cord and brain. It causes the body to “ignore” the pain in the area for a while, much in the way that you forget you are wearing a watch and don’t feel it on your wrist anymore. Some endorphins are released and can help to reduce pain as well. Best results are felt wearing the machine for up to 30 minutes and then turning the machine off for a while.
What should I avoid?
Avoid using the TENS over your heart and over the front of your neck as it can affect your heart rhythm and arteries.
Do not use it in the presence of water like a bath, shower, or swimming pool.
Try to avoid putting it directly on the spinal cord.
Do not use on broken or irritated skin.
Avoid Varicose Veins
Avoid the eyes, mouth and temples.
Avoid areas that are numb, unless you know the intensity at which you can feel it in other areas and you do not exceed those levels.
Do not use if you have a pacemaker or spinal stimulator.
Do not use if you are pregnant.
Do not use if you have epilepsy.
How to use the TENS.
Make sure the unit it off before you start. Determine the location of your pain, attach patches to the unit and then place on your skin. Ideally you want the patches above and below the spot of pain at least 1 inch apart. Some units have 2 patches and some have 4. With 2 have them no greater than 10 inches apart. With 4 you can use one pair for one area and another pain on a different area. Just make sure the pair is on the same lead. You can also use 4 over 1 area to get maximum relief. Slowly turn the machine on until you get a comfortable tingling sensation that feels equal at all pads. Use for 15-30 minutes. Make sure the unit is off when you remove the pads.
Replace the pads on the sheet that came with them to keep the sticky sides clean. If they stop being sticky or get dirty, use an alcohol wipe to clean the sticky surface. Most patches get at least 10 treatments out of them. It’s always easy to find new pads online.
It is always best to consult with your local physical therapist to get a good tutorial on the device that you purchase to make sure you are placing the patches correctly and also if you are confused or apprehensive about using one for the first time.
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*Disclaimer: This site has affiliate links to Amazon to allow you to best find the unit that you need. Purchasing through these links supports our website.
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