The majority of doctor visits are due to issues with pain. With this high a demand for pain management and correction there is no wonder the masses are turning to alternative therapies as a means to cope instead of the traditional analgesics. Of these treatments, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy, or TENS, is emerging as a method of electroanalgesia.
Conditions that have been treated with TENS include lower back pain, post-surgical pain, neurogenic pain, joint pain, visceral pain and sympathetically mediated pains. The reported results are greatly varied from positive to negative. With such a large difference in results there is debate about the real efficacy of this therapy since it has not been done in a research controlled environment.
A widely accepted theory behind chronic pain is a communication problem between the fibers and cells, which results in a state of continuous pain. A gate-controlled theory was introduced in 1965 by Melzack and Wall as a proponent to electric stimulation therapy. This theory offers the concept that an external source must be utilized to remove the sensation of pain by diverting the sensation efforts to another area or purpose.
By using an electrical pulse directed to muscle tissue, the body is force to direct the attention to that activity and then lowers the sensation of pain. This is a standard distraction technique. By getting the focus off the pain, the sensation decreases and may possibly resolve in some cases.
The machine used to produce the therapy is called a TENS unit. This is a small portable generator and electrodes. The machine is able to give different levels of power at different rates to customize it for the needs of the patient using it. Each individual is different in their needs and tolerance which leads to a need to complete a little trial and error in the initial treatment.
To place the electrodes on the body, they come equipped with a gel adhesive. The placement of these electrodes has a strong effect on the treatment, and if placed incorrectly can cause harm to the individual. Typical sites for TENS includes acupuncture sites, trigger points, cutaneous nerves, and the problem area.
Because the TENS is a low concentration electrical pulse there are few complications of its use. The most common issue experienced is irritation of the skin. About 33% of individuals with their own machines providing their own treatment suffer with this skin irritation.
The ease of use for these machines makes the ability of a person to properly complete treatment sessions very high. With a little education regarding how the machine works and the correct use of the electrodes, a patient is able to complete the therapy from the comfort of their home. The portability of the unit makes it a simple matter to take it along a trip.
Most people that have participated in TENS claim it helped in some degree at some point during the treatments. With the demand for pain management treatments growing, this therapy will be researched further and perfected. With a high compliance rate, this makes this form of pain management an excellent option.
Conditions that have been treated with TENS include lower back pain, post-surgical pain, neurogenic pain, joint pain, visceral pain and sympathetically mediated pains. The reported results are greatly varied from positive to negative. With such a large difference in results there is debate about the real efficacy of this therapy since it has not been done in a research controlled environment.
A widely accepted theory behind chronic pain is a communication problem between the fibers and cells, which results in a state of continuous pain. A gate-controlled theory was introduced in 1965 by Melzack and Wall as a proponent to electric stimulation therapy. This theory offers the concept that an external source must be utilized to remove the sensation of pain by diverting the sensation efforts to another area or purpose.
By using an electrical pulse directed to muscle tissue, the body is force to direct the attention to that activity and then lowers the sensation of pain. This is a standard distraction technique. By getting the focus off the pain, the sensation decreases and may possibly resolve in some cases.
The machine used to produce the therapy is called a TENS unit. This is a small portable generator and electrodes. The machine is able to give different levels of power at different rates to customize it for the needs of the patient using it. Each individual is different in their needs and tolerance which leads to a need to complete a little trial and error in the initial treatment.
To place the electrodes on the body, they come equipped with a gel adhesive. The placement of these electrodes has a strong effect on the treatment, and if placed incorrectly can cause harm to the individual. Typical sites for TENS includes acupuncture sites, trigger points, cutaneous nerves, and the problem area.
Because the TENS is a low concentration electrical pulse there are few complications of its use. The most common issue experienced is irritation of the skin. About 33% of individuals with their own machines providing their own treatment suffer with this skin irritation.
The ease of use for these machines makes the ability of a person to properly complete treatment sessions very high. With a little education regarding how the machine works and the correct use of the electrodes, a patient is able to complete the therapy from the comfort of their home. The portability of the unit makes it a simple matter to take it along a trip.
Most people that have participated in TENS claim it helped in some degree at some point during the treatments. With the demand for pain management treatments growing, this therapy will be researched further and perfected. With a high compliance rate, this makes this form of pain management an excellent option.
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A popular form of therapy is the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. People with chronic pain in their joints and muscles often turn to EMS for alleviating pain. Such systems have been created by doctors and scientists.
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