TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a battery-powered unit which sends electrical impulses through electrodes placed on or near the painful site. This causes a tingling sensation that reduces pain, even pain that hasn't responded to other treatments.
Usually though, TENS is used with other treatments prescribed by your doctor and may help reduce the amount of pain killers required.
One theory on how TENS works is that it blocks pain in the spinal cord. Another is that stimulation with TENS cases natural pain relieving substances to be leased, thereby reducing pain.
Contraindications
The use of a TENS with a pacemaker may prevent the pacemaker from working. If you have a pacemaker, you must get a clearance from your consultant cardiologist that it is beneficial for you to use a TENS Machine. Please refer to the manual for each machine for a complete list of contraindications.
Who can show me how to use my TENS?
Please note it is essential you are shown by a health professional how to use your TENS. The reason for this is that only a qualified health professional can instruct you properly in the use of TENS. You will be more likely to get a benefit from the TENS and less likely to experience any problems. Usually, your doctor or physiotherapist will instruct you.
Will TENS help my pain?
In clinical trials, TENS has been shown to be an effective and safe method for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.
Some conditions for which TENS may help include: chronic pain (neck and back pain); headache or migraine; arthritis; post-herpetic neuralgia; sciatica; sympathetic reflex dystrophy; acute pain (childbirth); post-operative pain; fractures; tennis elbow; and muscular strains.
Precautions
- TENS devices should be used with caution where the cause of the pain has not been established.
- TENS stimulation is of no curative value – doesn't do anything to the underlying cause of the pain.
- Treatment that comes with TENS will be influenced by the cause of the pain, the patient's psychological state, and use of medication.
- TENS should be kept out of the reach of children.
- Electrical stimulation over the carotid i.e. anywhere over the front of the neck, may be hazardous.
- The safety of TENS during pregnancy has not be established.
Rent or buy?
Before buying a TENS, it's recommend that you rent one for a month.
Master Medical is an Australian supplier of TENS and offers the option of either renting or buying a device. It costs no more to rent a TENS from Masters Medical for a month and then buy it, as to buy immediately. The advantage of this is that you make sure the TENS works for you before committing yourself to buying the TENS.
Are there any side effects?
Unlike drugs, TENS does not cause nausea, drowsiness, limited activity, personality changes or addiction. TENS may sometimes cause skin irritation or redness. Usually this disappears quickly or can be prevented by using alternative gels or electrodes.
How do I get a TENS?
All you need is a referral from your doctor or physiotherapist. It is important to seek professional advice from your doctor or physiotherapist, you may have a medical condition causing your pain best treated another way.
You may pick one up from Masters Medical, or they can send it direct to you or your doctor or physiotherapist.
