A TENS unit helps ease the pain of neuropathy by working to relieve pain from diabetic nerve damage.
TENS therapy can be used to treat pain from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, spinal cord injuries, and neuropathy.
You should change your pads on a TENS unit at least every 30 uses as the Gel pads of a TENS unit are made to last up to 30 uses.
The gel should be changed when they no longer firmly stick to the skin or when less than 25 percent sticks to your skin.
To place TENS pads for arthritis you place the electrode pads of the TENS unit above and below or parallel to the involved joint.
If the arthritis pain is in multiple locations and areas, like from rheumatoid arthritis then it's recommended that pad placements should be in the order of first apply the pads to the most painful region and then followed by the other areas as you need.
When placing a TENS unit on the pelvic floor you should place the electrodes of the TENS unit directly above your pubic area and over your buttocks.
For males you should also place the TENS unit electrodes directly above your pubic area and over your buttocks.
For Pelvic pain you want to place the TENS unit with one small electrode on your perineum which is the surface area between your vulva and anus.
Then place one large electrode of the TENS unit over your sacrum which is the large triangular bone at the base of your spine and above your coccyx.
A TENS unit is not considered safe for your heart and people with heart conditions, pacemakers, infusion pumps, implanted devices, pregnancy, and defibrillators should not use TENS units.
The danger zones with TENS units include the genitals, throat, eyes, heart and brain.
You can safely use a TENS machine as often as you like. Usually for 30-60 minutes up to 4 times daily.
TENS can provide relief for up to four hours.
The objective is to place the pads either side of any spot where your muscles are tense.
The signal passes from one electrode to the other, therefore passing through the site of tension.
If it is a general, all-over, calmer feeling you are seeking, then we recommend placing pads on the wrists or ankles.
TENS therapy has few reported side effects.
In rare cases, people have reported burns at the sites where the electrodes are placed.
Some people may also be allergic to the adhesive used to affix the pad to the skin or the materials in the pad itself (the skin may appear red, irritated, or a rash may break out).
Some studies have shown that TENS reduces blood pressure in patients with hypertension.
Shoulder transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation decreases heart rate via potentiating vagal tone.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation systems (NMES) deliver electrical impulses via electrodes to the skin over selected muscle groups or nerves to induce an involuntary muscle contraction.
NMES are thought to be effective as a mechanical method of preventing blood clots in the legs.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a method of pain relief involving the use of a mild electrical current.
A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that has leads connected to sticky pads called electrodes.
You attach the pads directly to your skin.
Studies show that TENS can help relieve pain from diabetic nerve damage, most commonly in the hands and feet.
Spinal cord injury pain. At least three studies on TENS and spinal cord injury pain have shown improvements in this kind of pain, which is hard to treat.
TENS doesn't work for everybody.
It can be uncomfortable but shouldn't be painful.
You may experience skin irritation where the electrodes are stuck on.