How to use a TENS Device?

In TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, sensory nerves are stimulated with an electrical charge as a means of relieving pain. This approach works by cutting pain signals off at the pass, stopping them dead in their tracks before they have a chance to arrive at the brain. TENS treatment also triggers the release of the body's natural pain-fighting endorphins. Since TENS is a drug-free approach to pain management, it comes with none of the side effects that drug-based treatment can sometimes bring. Read on to learn how to use TENS for pain management.

1. Take a direct approach to pain management. Anchor the electrodes of your TENS unit directly on the spot in which you are experiencing pain.
2. Relieve your pain through the wisdom of acupuncture. Place the electrodes of your TENS unit along relevant acupuncture points to get results.
3. Vary your approach. Sidestep skin irritation by choosing different placement points with each TENS treatment.
4. Be patient. It typically takes about 30 - 60 minutes for TENS treatment to provide pain relief.
5. Listen to your body. In some cases, a brief 30-minute session is all it takes to stave off pain for hours. In others, it is necessary to keep wearing the TENS unit throughout day.

Benefits of a TENS Unit?

Pain management is a growing and changing industry A safe, effective, non-addictive treatment seems like the unreachable Holy Grail, but many patients feel they have found it through the use of TENS units

Treatments which were once thought to be quack medicine are now proving to be as effective and safer than many of the current drug therapies. There is an increasing need for managing pain as the baby boomer generation begins to age and chronic, age related aches and pains begin to arise. Rather than turning to costly and potentially dangerous pain medications, many patients are looking for other ways to alleviate their pains, such as can be found in the use of TENS and portable TENS units.

T.E.N.S. units stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Transcutaneous literally means across the skin. These units work to alleviate pain by sending a mild electrical pulse through the skin to stimulate the nerves beneath. The specific nerves targeted will determine the area of pain relief. While the treatment must be repeated every few hours for continual pain management, there are portable devices to make this more convenient for the patient. Portable TENS units should be lightweight and easy to carry. In many cases they can be worn next to the skin. If this is the case, the units need to be battery operated, as are the TENS units provided by UHWG.

Pain easement in almost any part of the body can come from using a TENS unit. There are certain body parts where a physician should supervise the use of the unit in order to prevent injury. In cases of pain in the neck and head, the patient should first consult with his physician. The doctor might even have a unit for the patient to use in his office. In any case, patients should never use a TENS or portable TENS unit on their face, head, or neck without discussing it with a physician. All of the nerves in your body converge on the brain in your head. Many nerves that control the heart and other vital body operations run through the head, and without a doctor's supervision, the patient might stimulate the wrong nerve, which could lead to injury. Additionally, patients who are equipped with pace makers should not use electrical nerve stimulation since the charge could interfere with the pace maker's operation. Those who are pregnant or have metallic body part replacements or plates, should talk to their physician before using electrical stimulation of the nerves.

Cost of a TENS Unit?

In most Instances the Cost of a TENS Unit will far outweigh the cost of receiving multiple therapy treatments over the short and long term. Many patients who have purchased TENS Machines have attested to the significant amount of money they have saved from using such a wonderful device. The average cost for therapy in Australia is approximately $60 per hour, and most good quality TENS Devices in Australia will range in pricing from $300 - $400. So for the cost of 5 – 7 visits to a practitioner, the TENS Device could be paid for. Now, there are sometimes when it is absolutely necessary to consult a practitioner and that cannot be bypassed. But it is quite clear that in terms of nerve and muscular issues where TENS treatment may be extremely effective, then there can be quite a substantial amount of money saved, by investing in a TENS Unit.