TENS can be used to offer relief from pain caused due to different types of medical conditions and illnesses. It is most often used to relieve the muscle and joint pain especially in the case of fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, bursitis, and tendinitis are also treated with the help of TENS. It can be used to treat acute painful conditions such as labor pain and also has application in the case of chronic pain conditions such as cancer pain.
In case of TENS therapy, pain relief by pain gate mechanism involves the activation of:
2 of 5
In case of TENS therapy, pain relief by pain gate mechanism involves the activation of A-beta sensory fibers. It reduces the transmission of the noxious stimulus from the C fibers. The activation of A-delta sensory fibers activates the opioid mechanism and provides relief by releasing the endogenous opiate in the spinal cord which reduces the activation of noxious sensory pathways.
TENS therapy is an invasive treatment.
3 of 5
TENS therapy is a non-invasive treatment used to relieve pain. TENS unit contains two or more electrodes, which are usually connected to the skin. Usually, TENS is applied at a frequency higher than 50 Hz with intensity below motor contraction or low frequency with an intensity that can produce motor contraction.
TENS should be avoided in:
4 of 5
Although under careful conditions TENS can be safely applied to patients who are on the pacemaker, it should be avoided or should not be routinely used in such patients. Using TENS should be considered as a contraindication for a patient with any type of implanted electronic device including a pacemaker.
TENS therapy has fewer side-effects when compared with the drug therapy.
5 of 5
TENS therapy is a treatment technique that has fewer side effects as compared to drug therapy. Allergic-type skin reaction is the most common side effect of TENS treatment. About two to three percent of people get affected with this aftereffect. It may happen due to the material of the electrodes, the conductive gel, or the tape used to hold the electrodes in their place. However, most of the TENS applications are applied using the self-adhesive, pre-gelled electrodes that reduce the risk of infection and allergy.