Tens machines work by fixing the pads to the area of pain. Soothing pulses are sent via the pads through the skin and along the nerve fibres. The pulses (controlled by the user at all times) suppress pain signals to the brain. TENS Machines also encourage the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins and Encephalins.
TENS is a highly effective treatment for pain and can be used for Labour Pain, Back Pain, Muscular Pain, Sports Injuries, Menstrual Pain, Peripheral Nerve Injuries and many more types of pain. Please see further information on Tens Machins for pain relief at the end of this page.
Tens Machines for Pain Relief
Tens Machines are used to stimulate the nerves resulting in pain relief. Tens or TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Transcutaneous refers to a procedure that is performed through the skin.
How a Tens Machine Works
Electrodes (self-adhesive) are attached to the surface of the skin. Mild electrical impulses are transmitted by the Tens machine through these electrodes. Placement of these electrodes is essential to target the specific areas that are causing pain. The theory behind Tens units is that these electrical impulses block or suppress the pain signals that are passed along the nerve fibres to the brain. Tens machines impulses also help encourage the body to produce its own natural pain relief chemicals - endorphins.
Importance of Electrode Placement for a Tens Machine
It is very important to place the electrodes relatively close to the pain source. All Tens machines will be supplied with a user manual which will give specific instructions as to the best possible positioning of the electrodes. Some experimentation with electrode positioning may be required if it is found that pain relief did not occur following first use of the Tens machine. The effective positioning of the electrodes for some people may not work for others.
Programs or Modes on a Tens Machine
Again it may be necessary to experiment with the modes on a Tens unit to see which one works the best or is the most effective for your particular pain relief.
What a Tens Machine Feels like to use
Many may experience a slight ‘tingling’ sensation when they first use a Tens machine but will quickly become accustomed to this.
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