Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

It is a method of electrical stimulation which aims at providing a relief from pain and muscle spasms, which are caused by the following conditions like arthritis, period pain, knee pain, and back pain or sports injuries without the use of drugs. It excites the sensory nerves. It is a non-invasive, self-administered technique which relieves pain to an extent. Electrodes or materials that act as a medium for electricity to travel through the body are used. It involves the use of low-voltage currents to treat pain. The principle behind the usage of electric current is that they block the pain receptors that are being sent to the brain through the nerves. It can control both acute and chronic pain but in most cases, it was used for chronic pain, as it gave more relief there. Currently, this is one of the most used forms of electroanalgesia - a form of pain relief that uses electricity to ease the pain. Electricity was used by ancient Egyptians and Romans too, in the form of electrogenic fish to treat ailments. It requires a very short duration of pulses because the targets are the sensory nerves which have lower thresholds and hence respond rapidly to any change in electrical state. The electric current creates a tingling sensation and also helps in the release of endorphins- the natural painkillers of the body. There are various parameters that influence the dose- frequency, pulse width, intervention time, intensity etc. It is safe, economical and used globally to relieve pain.

As the main aim of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is to stimulate the sensory nerves, to activate specific natural pain relieves. There are two pain relief mechanisms that can be activated through this

1. Pain gate mechanism
2. Endogenous opioid system

The current intensity is in the range of 0-80 mA and some machines may go up to 100 mA. It is a small amount of current but sufficient enough to depolarise the nerves. The machine delivers discrete pulses and the rate varies from about 1or 2 pulses per second to 150 pps

The duration of each pulse is varied from 40 to 250 microseconds. The duration of the treatment is approximately 30-60 minutes in breaks or continuous. They are portable and can also be done while doing any normal activity. It consists of electrodes which can be placed onto the skin. The best results are achieved when the electrodes are placed directly at the pain site, they can also be used for acupressure points. It is very important to clean your skin before using the electrodes and make sure the electrodes don't touch each other. Choose the program you want, and adjust the stimulation level according to your preference. For different kinds of pains, the placement of electrodes varies. Get the full knowledge about these before using it. It is also important to know when to replace the electrodes. The moment these electrodes don't stick or you feel a stinging sensation on your skin. Know that it's time to replace them.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is used for those suffering from acute postoperative pain and post-traumatic pain. It also helps in improving pulmonary mechanics. It is also used when suffering from chronic pain of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis etc. Painful diabetic Neurotherapy and neuropathic pain can also be cured. It is mainly effective for people belonging to the age group of 36-50. According to a research article - iMedPub journals, it was found that most of the patients were also young adults who worked in dangerous conditions and women from a lot of work at home. It can also be used for children who are going through severe pain but only if advised by the doctor and with maximum care.

The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine cannot be used when the cause of the pain is unknown, during labor (unless diagnosed), pacemakers, epilepsy or heart diseases. You are not eligible for this treatment if you have an irritable uterus, have had miscarriage or abortion. Patients suffering from Alzheimer's, dementia or any other cognitive problems should not use it as they may be unable to use it correctly causing injuries. Any kind of dermatological conditions within the treatment area, metal implants within the treatment area, HIV positive, who have had any other surgery in the past twelve months are not eligible for using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

There are not much side effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation but prolonged use can have certain negative effects. The constant pulsing can cause pain and twitching of muscles if the intensity is too high. Skin irritation if the same pads are used for a very long time. There may be effects of the vibrations on the unborn foetus- consult before using it during pregnancy. Overusing the machine on a particular area can make the area sore.

Use ice baths and other cold temperature treatments within the area of pain. There might be sore muscles and numbness for a few days as you have suddenly stopped the use. Make sure you regularly massage the area and keep exercising it to keep the movement. If the pain still persists consult a doctor or increase the intensity and use the machine. The effects are not permanent, the pain may appear again in a few months or years. The application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is most effective if physical activities are continued.

The recovery varies from person to person. For some it may be an instant relief and others may have to use it for an extended period. Its maximum recovery is observed in +6-8 months. If short-term recovery is required then a few weeks would be sufficient, but long-term recovery requires usage for a longer duration. As time goes by, the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces, but it helps a lot in loosening stiff muscles. It not only restored but also enhances the connection of muscles.

There are various types of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machines available in India. Prices starting from 1800 and going up to 11,000. The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation 7000 available on Amazon has the starting price 4,925, there is also Omron E4 available at the higher end price for 17,996. This contains 12 automatic treatment programmes and is lightweight. There are a lot of other machines available and every machine has something extra to offer.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation devices may create temporary or permanent relief depending on the intensity of the use and the conditions of the treatment. To make the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation permanent, use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit with regular exercise and proper intake of food. Reduce the fat intake, and stay away from saturated fats, this will help in relieving pain and making the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit permanent. Since transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is just a machine that uses electrical signals to block the pain receptors from reaching the brain, a permanent effect is not impossible but can take time depending on the pain you are trying to treat.

Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is an alternative to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation because transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation acts to the surface of the skin and PENS to the actual vicinity of the nerve endings. PENS is acupuncture combined with electrical stimulation, and the electrodes go through the skin, this prevents in losing the potency of the electrodes. Use of analgesics and painkillers were also reduced when patients used PENS. It is most effective in treating pain that is difficult to treat. There is a very small risk of infection or nerve damage while using PENS. There have been sustained beneficial effects on the pain and quality of sleep has also improved.