TENS units work by disrupting nerve signals and stimulating the body’s production of endogenous opiates that relieve pain. Selecting the ideal device is crucial for maximum success.
Price should only be one factor to take into account when comparing units; signal frequency, complexity and availability of pre-defined treatment programs should all be taken into account when making your choice.
Frequency
TENS and EMS are noninvasive treatment options for pain management and muscle spasm. Thin wires known as leads connect a small machine, either tabletop or handheld, with adhesive pads attached at either end for sticking on various parts of the body to promote electric signals in order to target pain-prone spots on your body based on pain perception, injury or condition being treated; when turned on, these signals travel along nerves sending impulses back to the brain that help reduce or stop discomfort.
Most therapists use TENS for short durations – usually 15 or 30 minutes at the highest intensity tolerable by patients – at various frequencies and intensities to avoid building up tolerance over time, which would reduce its effectiveness. Therefore, it’s essential that frequency, pulse width width, and intensity be varied during treatments in order to remain effective.
Frequency of TENS treatments can have an enormous effect on how much pain patients feel. According to one study, researchers discovered that patients receiving low frequency TENS experienced significantly less discomfort compared to those receiving higher frequency TENS due to its weak signal that does not penetrate tissues and muscles as deeply; high-frequency TENS on the other hand uses stronger signals which reach deeper tissues and muscles.
Studies conducted with patients show that high-frequency TENS has an even stronger influence on pain perception than its lower-frequency counterpart. Patients were asked to rate their intensity of pain before and after TENS treatments; results demonstrated that high-frequency TENS significantly raised pain thresholds among younger individuals while not decreasing it in older ones.
TENS can also effectively mitigate pain by stimulating endorphin production – our natural painkillers, produced when TENS signals retrain brain and nerve patterns responsible for creating and sensing pain. As you can imagine, this has an enormously profound effect on how much suffering the patient feels.
Pulse Width
Pulse width refers to the duration of each electrical pulse. You can set this value yourself, or leave it as default – typically 200 microseconds – which determines how much muscle twitching and pain occurs during treatment; shorter pulse durations tend to be more comfortable and don’t cause as much muscle twitching; while longer ones can feel much more unpleasant and cause some muscle twitching.
TENS application frequency modifies the sensitivity of a1-adrenergic receptors, with low frequencies increasing sensitivity while higher ones diminish it, possibly as a result of reduced plasma concentrations of catecholamines or direct actions on receptors themselves. TENS at low frequency helps promote skeletal muscle contraction which increases local blood flow through arterial vasodilation and venoconstriction; also contributing to reduced peripheral vascular resistance and systemic arterial pressure reduction for those suffering angina pectoris; however it does not alter either systolic or diastolic arterial pressure levels among normotensive volunteers.
TENS at higher frequencies has been shown to produce greater vasoconstriction of endothelial cells lining blood vessels and smooth muscle layer that regulates their tone, leading to less systemic arterial pressure among angina patients. These changes could explain why TENS reduces systemic arterial pressure.
TENS therapy is a noninvasive, nonpharmacological solution for treating both chronic and acute pain conditions. Studies have proven its efficacy against conditions like low back pain, arthritis and fibromyalgia – as well as helping improve range of motion and reduce muscle spasms. It’s essential that users use the correct settings in order to obtain maximum benefit from TENS; attempts at self-adjusting could result in skin burns or muscle tenderness if intensity levels become too intense. A good place to start would be using settings similar to acupuncture without needles; applying pads over painful areas for 30 minutes twice per day until relief arrives.
Intensity
TENS can produce an intense tingling sensation that depends on the level of voltage (current). As more current is applied, so too is its intensity; physical therapists usually assist patients in discovering an effective intensity level for pain relief through trial and error processes. Sensitivities vary among users depending on factors like skin resistance properties, pain type or whether trigger points exist.
TENS is used to interrupt nerve signals that travel from the skin to the brain and block pain messages from reaching nerve endings, thus impeding their reception and processing capabilities. TENS should not be seen as a replacement for physical therapy programs or other treatment approaches.
TENS is an effective adjunct treatment for painful musculoskeletal conditions that may also benefit from pharmaceutical or psychological therapies designed to alleviate pain; exercise and rehabilitation therapy to increase functional outcomes; or any combination thereof. When TENS is combined with these other approaches, clinical trials indicate increased likelihood of positive results for patients.
Patients must understand that it will be necessary for them to move the electrodes from spot to spot during treatment in order to cover all areas most affected by pain, making sure the tingling sensation doesn’t become unbearable and that stimulation reaches those areas most in need of relief. Furthermore, patients must understand that any lasting redness or skin irritation at the site of electrode placement should be reported immediately to their physical therapist.
TENS has been found to alter vascular tone by inducing localized vasoconstriction and decreasing peripheral vascular resistance. Studies evaluating its effects indicate that low frequency TENS increases responsiveness by increasing a1-adrenergic receptor sensitivity while high frequency TENS produces opposite results.
On the market are TENS devices offering various frequencies and pulse widths, ranging in price from below $100 to over $2000. Sometimes this price difference reflects differences in components used – for instance some lower priced units only provide basic functionality while more costly models offer premodulated INF therapy that combines multiple channels of interference current for increased coverage.
Duration
TENS treatment works to interrupt nerve signals that tell your brain you have pain, thereby relieving symptoms. Finding the most effective settings and electrode placement to address symptoms takes time; as does daily usage for long-term relief; some users report significant relief within 20-30 minutes – though this varies from person to person. When using TENS at home it is wise to keep track of both pain levels as well as settings to find what combination will best meet your individual needs.
TENS therapy works by sending electric pulses through thin wires known as leads attached to a small machine that typically sits on a table or can be handheld, and has sticky pads attached that adhere to skin to provide targeted electric signaling to areas depending on what injury or condition is being treated.
For instance, when treating low back pain with TENS electrodes, your physical therapist is likely to place them near the spot where the nerve supply leaves the spine supplying your affected region. You’ll then work together through trial-and-error to identify which settings and pads provide the most relief from pain in your situation.
TENS therapy works by altering blood flow to its target areas. For lower back pain sufferers, TENS therapy may decrease venous return from legs to reduce pressure on venous system and alter circulation to lumbar area of spine.
TENS therapy has also been demonstrated to alter the response of a1-adrenergic receptors, which play an integral part in smooth muscle contraction, vasomotricity (increased venous compliance) and systemic arterial blood pressure adjustment during sympathetic nervous stimulation by catecholamines. This discovery is relatively recent; more research needs to be completed.
