An electric shock is the last thing you need when your back hurts-and even when it doesn't? Take a second look. TENS units may reduce chronic targeted back pain as a pain relief regimen.
With Ultima 5 Digital Tens Unit, low-frequency pulses of electrical current travel to the skin through electrodes that transmit electrical currents through the skin. It is becoming increasingly popular to use these therapeutic tools, including those that help heal wounds, reduce back pain, and treat muscle spasms.
They are effective as complementary therapies for pain relief, cost-effective, and offer pain relief without medication. How do TENS machines help treat lower back pain?
An explanation of TENS machines
In TENS machines like Ultima 5 Digital Tens Unit, electrodes adhere to your skin via sticky pads that adhere to your skin. An electrical current is transmitted through the electrodes, causing your skin to tingle or feel like it has pins and needles, which helps reduce pain signals and relax your muscles. There can be a lasting effect for up to four hours afterward.
What TENS can do for back pain
There is little evidence that TENS really works or whether it does. Initially introduced in the 1960s as part of the gate control theory of pain, it has played a significant role in pain management. It posits that stimulating nerves closes a "gate" mechanism in the spinal cord, thereby eliminating pain.
A TENS treatment for back pain involves applying electrodes to the skin over the area that is experiencing pain. An electrical impulse is generated, which travels along nerve fibers to produce tingling. In most cases, the pain relief begins immediately after treatment and subsides within a few days.
The body's natural painkillers produce endorphins in response to nerve stimulation.
It seems, however, that research has not generally supported the use of TENS alone in treating back pain. TENS is effective in reducing back pain intensity, but conflicting evidence in four studies comparing it to placebo made it difficult to conclude whether or not it is beneficial.
Tens Machine Instructions
Identifying the main point of pain is the first step. Make sure the electrodes lie on either side of the source of pain. If they intend for repeated use, a few drops of water may be required to encourage the electrode pads' connectivity.
Generally, you must apply the settings before turning on the unit, while others require power before choosing the settings. For first use, you should start at the lowest setting and turn on the unit as necessary.
Once that is done, you can adjust the frequency and duration of the pulse. TENS machines adjust how intense the electrical stimulation is with an intensity dial.
In electrical terms, frequency is the number of pulses that occur each second.
An 80-120 cycle per second unit is a high-frequency unit. Acute pain is the most common indication of this treatment. Chronic pain typically receives treatment with low frequency, a frequency that cycles between one and twenty times per second. Long-term pain continues for an extended period.
The pulse duration is the time it takes the current to pass through the skin, expressed in microseconds. For pain relief, you may have to experiment with different settings.
You can repeat this procedure as many times as you need, in sessions lasting about half an hour.
Tens Unit Electrode placement
The electrodes should adhere to the skin on either side of the painful area for lower back pain. In the case of an electrode machine that uses two pairs of electrodes, place one set above the pain and the other set below.
Sciatic pain should be treated with electrodes along the leg. Coccygeal pain can be treated with electrodes on either side of the spine at the correct height. Back or shoulder sufferers experience the same pain, although it may be higher. When placing on the shoulder bones, avoid placing on them.
Avoid placing electrodes above your neckline. Electrodes should only be applied to the lower neck, by the shoulder, if you have neck pain. New TENS users may be surprised by the sensation when the electrical impulses pass through the skin.
There may be a sensation of tingling, buzzing, or prickling due to this sensation. Although some people find TENS uncomfortable, most grow accustomed to it quickly and find pain relief more important than discomfort.
Electrodes can serve for the treatment of pain in a variety of locations, but low back pain is one of the more common ones. The use of a TENS machine for low back pain relief is straightforward. It's as simple as placing the electrodes on the machine, selecting the settings, and relaxing.
What are the risks of overusing a TENS unit?
Only 30 minutes should be spent on TENS stimulation. To avoid skin irritation from using TENS on one area of your skin for too long, it is best to take a 20-minute break following this.
A TENS unit should be set at what height?
Pains respond differently to different intensities. When treating acute pain with TENS, the unit's frequency should be between 80 and 120 Hz. You can set the settings between 2 Hz and 10 Hz for chronic pain.
To cope with pain, the nervous system naturally produces hormones to stimulate this lower setting. Among 35 and 50 Hz settings, muscles can be encouraged to relax or strengthen if they are weak or tense.
Is TENS a good option for pinched nerves?
Pinched nerves cause pain, tingling, weakness, numbness, and other symptoms due to too much pressure from their surrounding tissues. It is also possible to disrupt the nerve's function by applying pressure.
Your damaged nerves can be healed, and function will be improved with TENS unit neck placement.
Furthermore, electrodes should not go near genital areas. It is still possible for healthcare providers to use TENS to assist both men and women in enhancing their sexual function. The pelvic floor muscles may not respond well to TENS therapy for erections.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can also lead to stomach cramps treated with TENS. A TENS device may provide pain relief in this situation.
The purpose of TENS is to treat, not to cure
It's important to remember that even though TENS relieves neck pain, the source of the pain still exists. The primary purpose of TENS is to mask pain sensations to provide relief.
The method cannot alter what is wrong with the bones, tissue, or structure causing the problem. Remember that everyone responds differently to treatments. So, choose an Ultima 5 Digital Tens Unit if your doctor prescribes it. SMS is among the best medical supplies and equipment companies that provide reliable TENS units to its customers.