TENS Units: Benefits + How To Use & Side Effects
TENS stands for transcutaneous nerve stimulation.
It can be used to relieve chronic pain, prevent headaches and migraines, and even relieve depressive symptoms. Read on to learn more about how it works, how to use it, and the results of mixed research behind different TENS uses and techniques.
The most common explanation of how TENS works to relieve pain is related to the theory of pain of the Gate. The basic idea is to stimulate large areas of the skin that can turn off or inhibit the nervous system in the upper part of the spinal cord. When closing this gate, it can prevent pain signals from reaching the brain from the rest of your body.
In another explanation: reduced pain can cause the body to produce natural opioids (endogenous basal). See more of this explanation: TENS and Acupuncture: Understand the Relevance
Repeated use of a TENS unit may also lead to gradual changes in nearby muscles allowing them to relax more easily, which can lead to a reduction in pain in those muscles. This seems like the effect of EMS. See more: TENS vs. EMS: Understand the Difference
TENS units can also help people with chronic pain. In an observational study of 33 people with chronic back pain, 14 (42%) of them experienced at least 30% pain relief from TENS. And among 14, 13 feel the benefit within an hour or less when using TENS units
One study (DB-PCT) in 60 patients with upper back pain showed that using TENS units made pain much better than placebo.
In another study of patients with back pain, those who had used TENS eventually made significantly less visits to hospitals and clinics.
A study (RCT) in patients with arthritis showed that using TENS helps reduce pain when walking and when resting.
TENS units may also help relieve pain associated with dental procedures. Using TENS units to prepare treatments for cavities reduces pain during treatment in 80% of patients in one study.
According to WIKI:
Another study (RCT) showed that the use of TENS for headaches reduced drug use and helped patients better manage chronic migraine symptoms.
Finally, report that TENS treatment reduces the total number of headache days: 66% of patients in this study decided to continue using TENS units to avoid headaches. Although patients who follow TENS guidelines have reported the best benefits of follow-up
Patients who used TENS after surgery needed fewer painkillers - another large study (PCT) with 1,350 people.
Those who used TENS units after surgery had lower pain levels than those in the control group in one study (RCT) of the 40 patients who underwent major chest surgery (one The technique is called thoracic surgery, often used for lung or heart surgery.
In one study (RCT) with 40 patients who underwent open heart surgery, using TENS units at the acupuncture points (earning Acu-TENS,) helped bring blood pressure and heart rate back to normal faster and use less drugs (compared to patients who do not use TENS).
Both high-intensity and low-intensity TENS therapy helped relieve pain after a major surgery in another study (RCT) in 64 patients.
Patients who use TENS after surgery have improved breathing, less pain, and need fewer analgesics than non-TENS patients in one study (PCT) with 50 patients undergoing breast augmentation. A related study concluded that the use of a TENS unit along with analgesics helps to relieve pain much better than just taking medicine.
However, not all studies found postoperative analgesic effects. For example, in a study (PCT) with 45 patients who had surgery (pulmonary artery bypass), using TENS did not significantly reduce pain. Although the reasons for this inefficiency are unclear, this study may illustrate small / subtle differences in the TENS process that can make a big difference in its effectiveness and health benefits.
This TENS technique has shown some very promising data about helping psychological disorders like depression.
One study (PCT) in 14 chronic stroke patients showed that the combination of TENS therapy and exercise improved balance and increased mobility and these improvements were significantly greater than with people who only exercise
Similar results were found in another study (RCT) with 34 stroke patients. Joining TENS with exercise for more than 6 weeks has improved balance, mobility (gait) and reduced muscle stiffness and spasms.
TENS also increased exercise efficiency in people with stroke by increasing the walking speed and walking distance in a study (R-PCT) of 109 patients.
Another study (PCT) with 14 stroke patients reported that TENS treatment improved their ability to walk and control their lower half.
However, the cardiovascular benefits of TENS may not apply to everyone, but only to those who are already healthy. For example, in one study (PCT) of 45 patients, using TENS units after heart surgery (pulmonary artery bypass) did not reduce the risk of future heart problems.
Some older studies report that TENS helps lower blood pressure. However, a more recent study (RCT) with 32 hypertensive patients found no evidence that TENS units lowered blood pressure.
In another study (PCT) with 134 women with dysmenorrhea, TENS reduced both intensity and duration of pain compared to placebo treatment.
TENS is also useful to quickly relieve menstrual pain in a study (DB-RCT) with 40 women. Three months after the study, 70% of women still used TENS units regularly without adverse side effects
TENS units can reduce pain associated with childbirth. One study (PCT) showed that women who used TENS units during hospital time had significant pain relief during labor, suggesting that TENS may be useful both during and after labor.
A study (RCT) has found that using TENS units during prolongation increases the range of athletes' movement and muscle pain.
Another study also showed that TENS increased the amount of time athletes could exercise (increased strength) as well as pain during exercise.
However, another study (SB-RCT) with 13 participants who used TENS to treat their bicycle-related pain showed that TENS did not significantly change the level of pain they felt and did not affecting the time required to complete 5km cycling.
TENS units also improve symptoms of behavioral dysfunction, a type of speech impairment that has no known cause. In one study (RCT) in 30 women, TENS improved speech and reduced speech impairment.
Another common symptom of Parkinson's disease is difficulty walking. One study found that applying TENS to the feet. And, the leg of Parkinson's patients improved walking ability with 12% of patients tested and increased the time that these patients could walk an average of about 20%.
In another study (DB-RCT) on 47 children at the age of bedwetting, applying TENS units for an hour twice daily for 10 weeks did not reduce the frequency of bedwetting. However, another study showed that 72% of patients had decreased at least 1 night of bedwetting each week, maintained even after the study.
These benefits have been confirmed by another study (PCT) with 39 patients with fibromyalgia - TENS treatment for pain and fatigue. Using two units of TENS together can increase these benefits even further.
However, a review (in 8 fibromyalgia studies) has concluded that there is not enough evidence to say for sure that TENS is always active to reduce pain in patients with fibromyalgia.
In another study (DB-PCT) in 21 patients with COPD, TENS improved breathing during exercise, although it did not increase the time they could walk.
Other studies have consistently reported similar benefits - improved breathing in patients with COPD during exertion - with both TENS and Acu-TENS towels (a technique that uses TENS stimulation in acupuncture points).
Another problem is one of the most common ways to use TENS is to treat pain - but the pain can be very subjective and difficult to measure accurately (quantitatively).
Concerning, it is also very difficult to know the degree of influence of TENS may be due to the placebo effect. Many early studies conducted on TENS units that did not use a placebo group and at least one large placebo-controlled study reported no significant differences between the effects of TENS treatment and effects. of placebo. Similarly, a large-scale review of many different TENS studies has concluded that they cannot confirm that TENS units are more effective than a placebo to treat osteoarthritis. Prior to these issues, any study that was not controlled by placebo should be considered with a little skepticism until the next study confirmed their results.
The first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with the specific TENS machine you have and how you can control the settings. Most TENS units will have two main controls: one to adjust the speed of the electronic signal quickly or slowly, while the other controls will adjust the intensity of the electric stimulus. (Note that you must always start with both buttons turned off before turning on the device!). See more:
Next, you should prepare skin for TENS unit by cleaning the area with soap and water, or a small amount of rubbing alcohol. After your skin is completely dry, take stimulating pieces from the device and place them around the area you want to stimulate (for example, wherever you are in pain). Slowly pop up and adjust the dials to find the stimulus model that you find works best. Note that if it is applied correctly, TENS treatment itself will not cause pain.
There are many different strategies for how and where to put electrodes on your body. The effect of TENS may depend on the location of the pads, so TENS users should test to find out which way is most effective for their specific symptoms. However, a solid rule is to ensure that the pads do not touch each other - at least 1 inch apart is the minimum acceptable space between them.
However, the optimal level of stimulation may vary depending on the specific condition you are using TENS for treatment. For example, assessments of 43 TENS studies showed that moderate levels of TENS (medium frequency and electrical stimulus intensity) were effective for treating muscle pain, but other types of pain could benefit from the stronger stimulation.
Since each condition is different, it is not possible to suggest any specific TENS unit installer. However, researchers noted that TENS is more likely to have positive results when patients carefully follow the guidelines given by their medical experts.
Some people may be allergic to the adhesive pads. Anyone who experiences skin redness and irritation can switch to using hypoallergenic ones instead.
It is vital never to place the electrodes on either the front of the neck or the eyes. Putting electrodes on the neck can lower blood pressure and cause spasms. On the eyes, the electrodes can increase pressure within the eye and possibly cause an injury.
One of the only negative effects reported is small skin irritation in the position of electrodes, as well as possible pain when removing electrode pads. Care should be taken to avoid side effects of TENS.
Support documents for Portable TENS unit: Natural Synergy Cure
Differences in TENS and EMS machines are different, however, the above mobile TENS machines have integrated EMS features.
It can be used to relieve chronic pain, prevent headaches and migraines, and even relieve depressive symptoms. Read on to learn more about how it works, how to use it, and the results of mixed research behind different TENS uses and techniques.
How does TENS work?
The most common explanation of how TENS works to relieve pain is related to the theory of pain of the Gate. The basic idea is to stimulate large areas of the skin that can turn off or inhibit the nervous system in the upper part of the spinal cord. When closing this gate, it can prevent pain signals from reaching the brain from the rest of your body.
In another explanation: reduced pain can cause the body to produce natural opioids (endogenous basal). See more of this explanation: TENS and Acupuncture: Understand the Relevance
Repeated use of a TENS unit may also lead to gradual changes in nearby muscles allowing them to relax more easily, which can lead to a reduction in pain in those muscles. This seems like the effect of EMS. See more: TENS vs. EMS: Understand the Difference
Uses of TENS units
1) TENS can help fight pain
In one study (RCT), TENS units reduced shoulder pain and improved the ability of the shoulder joint to mobilize 90 participants with shoulder pain due to paralysis on one side of the body (hemiplegia). TENS also improves their overall quality of life.TENS units can also help people with chronic pain. In an observational study of 33 people with chronic back pain, 14 (42%) of them experienced at least 30% pain relief from TENS. And among 14, 13 feel the benefit within an hour or less when using TENS units
One study (DB-PCT) in 60 patients with upper back pain showed that using TENS units made pain much better than placebo.
In another study of patients with back pain, those who had used TENS eventually made significantly less visits to hospitals and clinics.
A study (RCT) in patients with arthritis showed that using TENS helps reduce pain when walking and when resting.
TENS units may also help relieve pain associated with dental procedures. Using TENS units to prepare treatments for cavities reduces pain during treatment in 80% of patients in one study.
2) TENS can reduce and prevent migraines
A study (RCT) with 110 patients showed that the application of top-end TENS (occipital nerve) significantly reduced the duration of headache in migraine patients. It also has a low incidence of side effects, making it attractive for patients who do not want to take migraine medications.According to WIKI:
Another study (RCT) showed that the use of TENS for headaches reduced drug use and helped patients better manage chronic migraine symptoms.
Finally, report that TENS treatment reduces the total number of headache days: 66% of patients in this study decided to continue using TENS units to avoid headaches. Although patients who follow TENS guidelines have reported the best benefits of follow-up
3) TENS can relieve pain after surgery
A study (RCT) with 54 patients who underwent spinal surgery showed that TENS had analgesic (analgesic) effects. It reduces the amount of painkillers needed and their side effectsPatients who used TENS after surgery needed fewer painkillers - another large study (PCT) with 1,350 people.
Those who used TENS units after surgery had lower pain levels than those in the control group in one study (RCT) of the 40 patients who underwent major chest surgery (one The technique is called thoracic surgery, often used for lung or heart surgery.
In one study (RCT) with 40 patients who underwent open heart surgery, using TENS units at the acupuncture points (earning Acu-TENS,) helped bring blood pressure and heart rate back to normal faster and use less drugs (compared to patients who do not use TENS).
Both high-intensity and low-intensity TENS therapy helped relieve pain after a major surgery in another study (RCT) in 64 patients.
Patients who use TENS after surgery have improved breathing, less pain, and need fewer analgesics than non-TENS patients in one study (PCT) with 50 patients undergoing breast augmentation. A related study concluded that the use of a TENS unit along with analgesics helps to relieve pain much better than just taking medicine.
However, not all studies found postoperative analgesic effects. For example, in a study (PCT) with 45 patients who had surgery (pulmonary artery bypass), using TENS did not significantly reduce pain. Although the reasons for this inefficiency are unclear, this study may illustrate small / subtle differences in the TENS process that can make a big difference in its effectiveness and health benefits.
4) TENS can help fight depression
A technique called vagus nerve stimulation is a method of using TENS to stimulate the vagus nerve (done by attaching the TENS device to the acupuncture points of the ear).This TENS technique has shown some very promising data about helping psychological disorders like depression.
5) TENS can assist in stroke recovery
Strokes often cause damage throughout the brain, which can cause many long-term consequences that can be very difficult to recover. Many stroke patients end up having difficulty moving and walking, although some evidence suggests TENS treatment can help stroke victims recover from these defects.One study (PCT) in 14 chronic stroke patients showed that the combination of TENS therapy and exercise improved balance and increased mobility and these improvements were significantly greater than with people who only exercise
Similar results were found in another study (RCT) with 34 stroke patients. Joining TENS with exercise for more than 6 weeks has improved balance, mobility (gait) and reduced muscle stiffness and spasms.
TENS also increased exercise efficiency in people with stroke by increasing the walking speed and walking distance in a study (R-PCT) of 109 patients.
Another study (PCT) with 14 stroke patients reported that TENS treatment improved their ability to walk and control their lower half.
6) TENS can enhance cardiovascular health
In one of the few studies that used actual placebo conditions (RCT), 13 healthy young men were treated with either true or fake TENS (assumed). TENS actually improves heart rate when resting and leads to better blood pressure regulation. In fake TENS, participants are connected to real TENS but do not receive actual current - especially important to tease actual TENS effects.However, the cardiovascular benefits of TENS may not apply to everyone, but only to those who are already healthy. For example, in one study (PCT) of 45 patients, using TENS units after heart surgery (pulmonary artery bypass) did not reduce the risk of future heart problems.
Some older studies report that TENS helps lower blood pressure. However, a more recent study (RCT) with 32 hypertensive patients found no evidence that TENS units lowered blood pressure.
7) TENS can reduce menstrual cramps and labor pain.
One study (DB-RCT) with 40 women with dysmenorrhea (dysmenorrhea) showed that TENS was effective in reducing pain related to cramps, and led to a significant improvement in the quality of life of those suffering from cramps. this patient. The patient used a portable TENS unit, particularly useful in maintaining effective treatment.In another study (PCT) with 134 women with dysmenorrhea, TENS reduced both intensity and duration of pain compared to placebo treatment.
TENS is also useful to quickly relieve menstrual pain in a study (DB-RCT) with 40 women. Three months after the study, 70% of women still used TENS units regularly without adverse side effects
TENS units can reduce pain associated with childbirth. One study (PCT) showed that women who used TENS units during hospital time had significant pain relief during labor, suggesting that TENS may be useful both during and after labor.
8) TENS can enhance sports performance
Although the evidence is somewhat mixed, some studies show that muscle relaxation effects of TENS may be helpful to increase athletic performance.A study (RCT) has found that using TENS units during prolongation increases the range of athletes' movement and muscle pain.
Another study also showed that TENS increased the amount of time athletes could exercise (increased strength) as well as pain during exercise.
However, another study (SB-RCT) with 13 participants who used TENS to treat their bicycle-related pain showed that TENS did not significantly change the level of pain they felt and did not affecting the time required to complete 5km cycling.
9) TENS can enhance your voice
A review of many studies (RCT) has confirmed that TENS units can improve speech quality. In a study with 40-year-old women, users of TENS units increased quality and intensity. voice, making them feel more comfortable when speaking.TENS units also improve symptoms of behavioral dysfunction, a type of speech impairment that has no known cause. In one study (RCT) in 30 women, TENS improved speech and reduced speech impairment.
10) TENS can help manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease
People with Parkinson's disease often have uncontrolled tremors (tremor tremors). Two studies have found that using TENS on the hands and arms of Parkinson's patients may help reduce their uncontrollable tremor by an average of 62%.Another common symptom of Parkinson's disease is difficulty walking. One study found that applying TENS to the feet. And, the leg of Parkinson's patients improved walking ability with 12% of patients tested and increased the time that these patients could walk an average of about 20%.
11) TENS can help with urinary incontinence (enuresis)
In one study, 42 patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OBS) received a TENS unit and also kept a bladder diary of Muslims for 48 hours to monitor symptoms of they. TENS is safe and effective for OBS, with 50% of patients reporting that they are satisfied with it, or very satisfied with the treatment. TENS units also completely cured uncontrolled urination (urinary incontinence) in 39% of patients. None of the patients reported any side effects.In another study (DB-RCT) on 47 children at the age of bedwetting, applying TENS units for an hour twice daily for 10 weeks did not reduce the frequency of bedwetting. However, another study showed that 72% of patients had decreased at least 1 night of bedwetting each week, maintained even after the study.
12) TENS can reduce fibromyalgia symptoms
A study (RCT) with 28 patients with fibromyalgia showed TENS treatment to relieve pain, anxiety, fatigue and muscle stiffness, thereby significantly improving the ability of these patients to work.These benefits have been confirmed by another study (PCT) with 39 patients with fibromyalgia - TENS treatment for pain and fatigue. Using two units of TENS together can increase these benefits even further.
However, a review (in 8 fibromyalgia studies) has concluded that there is not enough evidence to say for sure that TENS is always active to reduce pain in patients with fibromyalgia.
13) TENS can improve lung function
In one study (SB-PCT) with 50 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), TENS treatment increased the amount of air that the lungs could hold (lung capacity) and improved general symptoms.In another study (DB-PCT) in 21 patients with COPD, TENS improved breathing during exercise, although it did not increase the time they could walk.
Other studies have consistently reported similar benefits - improved breathing in patients with COPD during exertion - with both TENS and Acu-TENS towels (a technique that uses TENS stimulation in acupuncture points).
14) TENS May Help Increase Sensation in Prosthetic Limbs
When a person loses one of their limbs, they will sometimes continue to experience feelings in the parts of their body that are no longer there — a condition known as a “phantom limb”. Researchers began to search for ways to re-create the sensation of lost body parts. They applied TENS to the amputated body to develop advanced robotic replacements (prosthetic limbs) that could feel real. Although still in the early stages, this could be a huge leap forward in the technology of robotic prosthetics and body-machine interfaces.Limited and be careful
How to use TENS units can make it difficult to draw firm conclusions from many studies. Most of the time, TENS is managed not by a medical specialist, but by the patients themselves. Therefore, the way they use their TENS unit may be inconsistent and may be difficult to verify whether all patients in one study were following the correct procedure or the same way. Some studies have shown that very few patients follow the recommendations perfectly. Therefore, may not achieve the maximum desired results. This means being cautious when trying to draw conclusions from any TENS study, since the results may not be completely reliable.Another problem is one of the most common ways to use TENS is to treat pain - but the pain can be very subjective and difficult to measure accurately (quantitatively).
Concerning, it is also very difficult to know the degree of influence of TENS may be due to the placebo effect. Many early studies conducted on TENS units that did not use a placebo group and at least one large placebo-controlled study reported no significant differences between the effects of TENS treatment and effects. of placebo. Similarly, a large-scale review of many different TENS studies has concluded that they cannot confirm that TENS units are more effective than a placebo to treat osteoarthritis. Prior to these issues, any study that was not controlled by placebo should be considered with a little skepticism until the next study confirmed their results.
How to use TENS unit
Although there are many different types of TENS units, most have the same basic features.The first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with the specific TENS machine you have and how you can control the settings. Most TENS units will have two main controls: one to adjust the speed of the electronic signal quickly or slowly, while the other controls will adjust the intensity of the electric stimulus. (Note that you must always start with both buttons turned off before turning on the device!). See more:
Next, you should prepare skin for TENS unit by cleaning the area with soap and water, or a small amount of rubbing alcohol. After your skin is completely dry, take stimulating pieces from the device and place them around the area you want to stimulate (for example, wherever you are in pain). Slowly pop up and adjust the dials to find the stimulus model that you find works best. Note that if it is applied correctly, TENS treatment itself will not cause pain.
There are many different strategies for how and where to put electrodes on your body. The effect of TENS may depend on the location of the pads, so TENS users should test to find out which way is most effective for their specific symptoms. However, a solid rule is to ensure that the pads do not touch each other - at least 1 inch apart is the minimum acceptable space between them.
TENS dosage
The effectiveness of TENS treatment seems to be dose-dependent, meaning that the benefits you receive may depend on the frequency and intensity used.However, the optimal level of stimulation may vary depending on the specific condition you are using TENS for treatment. For example, assessments of 43 TENS studies showed that moderate levels of TENS (medium frequency and electrical stimulus intensity) were effective for treating muscle pain, but other types of pain could benefit from the stronger stimulation.
Since each condition is different, it is not possible to suggest any specific TENS unit installer. However, researchers noted that TENS is more likely to have positive results when patients carefully follow the guidelines given by their medical experts.
Side effect of TENS unit
The majority of participants in many TENS studies have been reported to report no adverse side effects.Some people may be allergic to the adhesive pads. Anyone who experiences skin redness and irritation can switch to using hypoallergenic ones instead.
It is vital never to place the electrodes on either the front of the neck or the eyes. Putting electrodes on the neck can lower blood pressure and cause spasms. On the eyes, the electrodes can increase pressure within the eye and possibly cause an injury.
One of the only negative effects reported is small skin irritation in the position of electrodes, as well as possible pain when removing electrode pads. Care should be taken to avoid side effects of TENS.
Introduce some types of units TENS: Portable TENS unit - EMS Machine:
Support documents for Portable TENS unit: Natural Synergy Cure
Differences in TENS and EMS machines are different, however, the above mobile TENS machines have integrated EMS features.
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