TENS unit ,WHAT TO KNOW?

TENS unit 

A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit is a battery-operated device that some people use to treat pain.

TENS units work by delivering small electrical impulses through electrodes that have adhesive pads to attach them to a person’s skin. These electrical impulses flood the nervous system, reducing its ability to transmit pain signals to the spinal cord and brain. The same electrical impulses also stimulate the body to produce natural pain relievers called endorphins.

TENS units may help treat the following symptoms:

• period pain
• labor pain
• postoperative pain
• joint pain
• neck and back pain

They may also alleviate pain that results from the following conditions:

• endometriosis
• arthritis
• sports injuries
• multiple sclerosis
• fibromyalgia
• painful diabetic neuropathy
• spinal cord injury

• When to avoid TENS

  Although it is safe for most people, experts recommend that some groups of people avoid TENS treatment unless a doctor advises its use.
  This recommendation applies to the following people:
  • Pregnant women: Pregnant women should avoid using TENS in the abdominal and pelvic regions.
  • People with epilepsy: Applying electrodes to the head or neck of people with epilepsy may induce seizures.
  • People with heart problems.
  • People with a pacemaker or another type of electrical or metal implant.

  • Tolerance

    Research shows that people who use a TENS unit on a daily basis at the same frequency and intensity can develop a tolerance to the treatment.
    A person who develops tolerance will no longer feel the same level of pain relief that they did when they first used the unit.
    To prevent this from occurring, people can alternate between LF and HF TENS within each treatment session.
    Alternatively, they can gradually increase the intensity or duration of TENS on a daily basis.

  • Stimulation intensity

    The range of intensities of the electrical stimulation may account for some of the differences in research findings.
    According to a 2014 review, HF TENS treats pain more effectively than LF TENS. In fact, many studies have found LF TENS to be ineffective.
    Given that HF TENS is a more effective pain reliever, experts recommend that people apply the highest-intensity TENS that they can tolerate.

  • Electrode placement

    TENS may be more effective if people place the electrodes on acupuncture points.
    Acupuncture is a practice that uses needles to stimulate the nerves beneath the skin at specific locations known as acupuncture points. Experts believe that this assists the body in producing endorphins.
    One review found some evidence that people who receive TENS through acupuncture points may experience a reduction in pain.

  • Benefits

    TENS is a noninvasive method for relieving pain. People who experience pain relief from TENS may be able to reduce their intake of pain medications, some of which can be addictive or cause adverse side effects.
    TENS units are also convenient because they are small, portable, and relatively discrete. People can carry a TENS unit in their pocket or clip it onto a belt to ensure that they have immediate access to pain relief throughout the day.
  • FOR DETAILS--https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323632#benefits