Health

What is a TENS unit, and does it work?

To alleviate pain, some people use a battery-operated gadget called a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit. A TENS machine is a battery-operated device with leads that attach to electrodes, which are sticky pads. The pads are applied directly to your skin. Tiny electrical impulses are sent to the afflicted part of your body when the machine is turned on, causing a tingling sensation.

Electrical impulses can help alleviate pain and relax muscles by reducing pain signals to the spinal cord and brain. They may also increase endorphin production, which is the body’s natural painkiller.

What is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy?

TENS devices function by sending tiny electrical impulses to a person’s skin via electrodes that contain sticky pads. The nervous system is flooded with electrical impulses, limiting its sending pain signals to the spinal cord and brain. The same electrical impulses cause the body to generate endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.

TENS is a pain-relieving technique that is non-invasive. Can use it on its alone or in combination with prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. Some individuals who utilize TENS treatment may be able to lower their prescription dosage. Do not stop taking your drugs or make any changes to your dosage without first seeing your doctor.

Another advantage of the TENS unit is that it is compact and portable, allowing it to be used at home or on the go whenever pain treatment is required.

Using low-voltage electric currents to treat pain is known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The electricity is delivered to the nerves through a tiny device. TENS treatment reduces or eliminates symptoms of pain.

Points to Remember

TENS is a pain treatment therapy that is simple to use, portable, non-addictive, and non-invasive.

Electrodes are put directly on the skin, generally at or near the region of discomfort, to provide small electrical pulses.

Following the publication of the gate-control theory, the usage of electro-analgesia grew.

The scientific data on the use of TENS for pain treatment is sometimes contradictory due to issues in trial design.

Despite the absence of proof, TENS machine Canada can still be used as a complementary pain treatment technique.

Furthermore, TENS should not be used:

  • If you have TB, you should avoid diseased tissues, wounds caused by osteomyelitis, and tuberculosis. TENS treatment has the potential to transmit infections.
  • To regions of tissue that have recently received radiation treatment.
  • To injured skin (save for open wounds when electrical stimulation is being used to repair tissue). A professional therapist should guide therapy in these instances.)
  • On the head, near or over the eyes or mouth, on the front or side of the neck, or near or over the eyes or mouth.
  • Near the genitals or reproductive organs.
  • To parts of the body that reduced sensation.
  • To guarantee the safe use of TENS in people who have difficulty talking or who have mental disabilities and are unable to offer feedback.
  • Before using TENS, always with your healthcare practitioner if you have any current or previous health issues, concerns, or questions.

TENS units can aid in the treatment of the following symptoms:

  • Labour pain / period pain
  • Postoperative pain
  • Joint stiffness
  • Back and neck ache         

They may also help to relieve pain caused by the following conditions:

  • Sports injuries endometriosis 
  • Fibromyalgia is a kind of multiple sclerosis.
  • Diabetic neuropathy is a painful condition.
  • Damage to the spinal cord
  • TENS units have features that allow users to provide the right amount of pain treatment. TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a simple, portable, non-addictive, and non-invasive method of analgesia.

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