Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may sound futuristic—even scary—but this method of pain relief is actually a great drug-free way to relieve discomfort from injuries or chronic conditions.
When the TENS equipment is used, patches called electrodes are applied to your skin (“transcutaneous” means “through the skin”) and are attached to a small, battery-operated device that transmits tiny electrical impulses to your nerve fibers. Experts believe that as the TENS unit stimulates the nerve fibers, endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever, are released, blocking pain signals before they can reach the brain. The combination of these two actions makes the TENS device a successful treatment for pain.
TENS carries a very low risk of side effects, usually involving minor redness or irritation at the site of the electrodes, which can be reduced by adjusting the positioning and settings of the device. Some devices are even designed for home use. These tend to be expensive, however, and despite the relative safety of TENS, it is important to use the devices correctly. Your best bet is to try TENS for a while in a clinical setting and then discuss with us the purchase or rental of a home unit if you find the treatment helpful.
Most people find TENS treatment to be quite successful at relieving arthritis pain, chronic back or neck pain, sprains, tendonitis, and a myriad of other injuries and conditions. There is only one drawback: While the treatment takes just minutes to work, the effects last only around an hour. Thus, some patients will find they need to use the device ongoing, especially with some chronic pain conditions.
However, one of the best uses of TENS is to alleviate intense pain just long enough to enable therapeutic exercise or the mobilization of injured limbs . The use of TENS can make you comfortable enough to get through your physical therapy—the tough but necessary work that helps heal injuries or controol chronic conditions—with the ultimate goal of a pain-free (and medicine- and device-free) life.
