About T.E.N.S.

What is T.E.N.S.?
T.E.N.S. is short for transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, is one treatment alternative for slow-healing wounds. This type of treatment uses a stimulator that sends electrical impulses through electrodes on the skin around the wound. The impulses block the pain impulses to the brain, so you can’t feel them.

What is the T.E.N.S. for?
People can get pain relief associated with the following by T.E.N.S. treatment.
Back pain: low back pain, upper back pain, sciatica, arthritic pain.
Muscular pain: whiplash, frozen shoulder, Leg pain on hip, knee, ankle, Achilles tendon, heel and foot, etc.
Sports injuries: Injuries on tennis elbow, golfers elbow, wrist pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, hand and fingers, phantom limb pain.
Abdominal pain: Menstrual Pain, irritable bowel syndrome.
Head pain: classical migraine, pre-menstrual migraine, cluster headaches, stress, insomnia, etc.
Neuralgic pain: Trigeminal neuralgias, post-operative pain, peripheral neuropathy with chemotherapy diabetes, rheumatism.
Pregnancy and Childbirth: TENS treatments may also be used for some anti-natal problems, labour and during or after childbirth.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of T.E.N.S.?
Advantages:
• TENS device can relief and management of pain.
• TENS unit are in control and can adjust the length and intensity of treatment.
• TENS does not involve the use of drugs. For patients who find it helpful.
• TNES is an easy operated device, simple, easy carry.

TENS gives good results for both acute and chronic pain. This pain relief is usually most effective during the stimulation, but the effect can last after the program finishes. TENS may be sufficient as the only treatment form, but it is also a valuable complement to other pharmacological and/or physical treatments. You can combine oral painkillers and TENS with excellent results. TENS allows many patients to reduce their consumption of oral painkillers and also boosts circulation, which makes it an ideal method for treating leg ulcers.

Disadvantages:

• TENS might have adverse reaction. Possible allergic skin reaction to tape or gel. This often can be avoided by changing the type of gel or electrode used.
• It is not recommended to use for pregnancy patient unless under medical supervision.
People who wear pacemakers should ask their doctors about whether TENS is safe for them.

Remark
The most common TENS programs use high-frequency stimulation, which is the first choice for both acute and chronic pain. High-frequency stimulation sends impulses to the nervous system’s own pain-inhibiting mechanisms, which block the pain. You can use it as often and as long as you like, but each treatment should last at least 30 minutes.

Another type of TENS is low-frequency stimulation. Low-frequency TENS treatment can alleviate pain by stimulating muscles to release the body’s own morphine-like substances, endorphins. Place the electrodes on a muscle in the painful area so that a visible contraction occurs. You can use low-frequency TENS for 20–45 minutes three times a day. Low-frequency stimulation can lead to sore muscles.

TENS contraindicated for patients who suffering pacemaker or defibrillator?
TENS is not recommended for patients with know heart disease without physical evaluation of possible risk. TENS devices can affect the operation of demand type cardiac pacemakers. So it not suitable for those using a demand type pacemaker. And do not stimulate over the eyes or carotid sinus nerves. If you have epilepsy or heart disease please seek medical advice before use.

What is different between a TENS and Electrical Muscle Stimulator?
TENS is designed to help relieve certain types of chronic and acute pain. It is used to simulate the nerve, muscle and cells via surface skin by low electricity to make the brain produce endorphin naturally and then to reach the goal of relieving syndromes and stopping pain.
Electrical muscle stimulator EMS works by sending electronic stimulation to the muscle; thus allowing the muscle to contract hundreds of times per minute. This contracting of the muscles increases blood flow to the muscles which benefits tired aching muscles; and expedites the healing. The muscle stimulation can assist in re-educating and rebuilding injured muscles when you are unable to physically exercise.