Doctor visits, medications, surgeries, all these can make a patient feel tiring and if the results of all of them turn out to be average or negative, anyone can lose hope and fall into depression. Thankfully, there are some treatment methods like TENS Therapy, which will never disappoint anyone and gives the best benefit of healing at home.
TENS Therapy? What is that?
Trans cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a therapeutic modality that comes in a small battery-operated device along with electrodes which involve the transmission of low-voltage electric impulses along nerve strands and skin’s surface to treat acute to chronic pain.
What does a TENS machine do?
The small, hand-held, battery-powered TENS machine sends electric currents through the medium of electrodes that have adhesive pads which are placed on the painful area of the body to be treated.
Now, TENS function on the basis of two theories. One is The Gate Control Theory which suggests that there’s a neural mechanism in our spinal cord that acts as a kind of gate which shuts and opens up the flow of signals from the periphery to the brain. Whether the gate is open, closed or partially closed depends on what sort of signal it receives from the brain to change the perception of pain in the user’s body. The electrical impulses thus interfere with the transmission of pain messages and block the pain receptors from being sent from the nerves to the brain and spinal cord by diverting its attention to the electric signals.
The second theory is Endorphin Release in which the electrical impulses encourage the brain to produce the natural morphine-like substance called endorphins to block pain messages from reaching the brain and to promote faster healing of the affected area.
TENS Unit comes with different adjustable settings to control amplitude (intensity) of stimulation and pulse width (duration) of each pulse to use it as per the treatment requires.
Types of TENS in Physiotherapy
There are different types of TENS treatment like the traditional (Hi TENS, Normal TENS), Acupuncture (Lo TENS, Acutes), Brief Intense, Burst Mode, and Modulation Mode.
What is a TENS unit used for?
As said before, TENS therapy can treat acute to chronic pains and discomforts from a sports injury, menstruation, migraines, pulled muscles, joint conditions, post operation, cancer, bursitis, tendinitis, endometriosis, painful diabetic nephropathy, spinal cord injury etc.
Benefits of TENS therapy
TENS therapy is a safe, noninvasive, natural, drug-free method of pain management. It saves one from becoming dependent on medications for lifelong and their adverse side effects. Having a pocket tens unit for pain relief like SONICTENS makes it easy for you to continue your treatment anywhere, anytime.
TENS contraindications
Application of the electrodes over the trunk, abdomen or pelvis during pregnancy is contraindicated although is handled safely, there is no risk.
Patients with a Pacemaker or any other implanted electronic device should avoid routine treatment with TENS.
Patients having an allergic response to the electrodes, gel or tape
Patients having dermatological lesions e.g. dermatitis, eczema
Application over the anterior aspect of the neck or carotid sinus
Conclusion
TENS therapy has proven its effectiveness in improving the mobility of joints and in reducing the intensity of pain to a great extent. If you are looking for a safe, effective and best portable tens machine, go for SONICTENS.