Most people look forward to their weekends off or holidays to pursue their hobbies and interests. In Australia, most people prefer outdoor activities like swimming, surfing, diving, and camping. Sports and extreme adventures are some of Australia’s favourite leisure activities. Busy and active lifestyles also come with a price: body pains. An athlete recovering from an injury or a person undergoing physical therapy often uses a muscle stimulator to aid in their pain management. Moreover, fatigue and burnout in the healthcare system have increased the demand for excellent personal muscle stimulators in Australia.
The use of external forms of energy (electricity, light, and sound) for treatment is known as electrotherapy. Electrotherapy uses muscle stimulators. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is the most popular electrotherapy method. There are also other forms of muscle stimulators like Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), Russian electrical stimulation, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), Interferential Current (IFC) electrical stimulation and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES). TENS machines are the most common due to their lower price and higher availability as muscle stimulators in Australia. You can purchase your wireless iTENS machines from iTENS Australia.
Muscle Stimulators in Australia: Types of Muscle Stimulators
As already mentioned above, there are a lot of types of muscle stimulators. Electrotherapy uses these kinds of muscle stimulators. The most common muscle stimulator in Australia is the TENS. However, knowing more about other muscle stimulators can also be beneficial.
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – Intended for symptomatic alleviation of chronic pain or transient pain relief in tired and aching muscles. Also, it is the most common form of electrical stimulation. They are inexpensive and effective.
- Interferential Current (IFC) Electrical Stimulation – People use IFC to treat acute, chronic, and post-traumatic or post-surgical pain. Much less common than TENS and more expensive.
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) – Muscles are strengthened, muscle size is increased, muscular endurance is improved, and muscle recovery is accelerated. Similar to TENS, but to make the muscles contract strongly. Athletes frequently utilise it, especially for muscle recovery.
- Russian Electrical Stimulation – Muscles are strengthened, muscle size is increased, muscular endurance is improved, and muscle recovery is accelerated. When Russian researchers employed EMS to improve the training of Olympic athletes in the 1970s, it became well-known.
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) – Similar to EMS, but primarily utilised for therapeutic (rehab) purposes rather than athletics (training)
- Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) – Intended to relieve muscle spasms, improve blood circulation, maintain or increase range of motion, and, most importantly, retrain the neuromuscular system. FES are usually built inside an exercise or bracing gadget to maximise functionality.
Muscle Stimulators in Australia: TENS Machines
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, commonly known as TENS, is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and drug-free pain relief method. This method uses a TENS machine unit to relieve a person from pain. TENS is the most common muscle stimulator in Australia. Additionally, there are two ways that a TENS machine helps relieve pain and control it.
- Sensory level stimulation – TENS machine blocks pain signals and modifies a person’s perception of pain. According to the Gate Control Pain Theory, the TENS device’s electromagnetic pulse interferes with the transmission of pain signals by obstructing the “neural gate” through which pain travels.
- Motor level stimulation – TENS machine causes the production of endorphins which are natural pain relievers. Therapists frequently utilise it to help with muscle activation rhythms.
A TENS machine is a little gadget similar in size to a cell phone. It includes electrode wires and end pads as a set. This gadget is battery operated and provides electric current pulses to electrode pads attached to the skin where each pad is placed along nerve pathways where most of the pain is affected. So, you can adjust the electric current pulses sent to the electrode dependent on the pain intensity. Most physiotherapists recommend the use of TENS as a muscle stimulator in Australia. If your physiotherapist suggests TENS for your pain, they will usually work with you to determine the appropriate electrode placement and settings so that you can relieve pain at home.
Muscle Stimulators in Australia: What to Buy
What are the considerations in looking for a good muscle stimulator in Australia? The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) checks for compliance of medical devices based on their potential risks assessment, long-term safety, and the benefits they offer. Australia has one of the world’s most stringent requirements for medical devices such as TENS. Furthermore, a good muscle stimulator must have unambiguous labels with instructions to teach its users how to use the device. TGA regulates and monitors medical devices, especially cables and leads, to minimise the risks of shocks, burns, bruising, and skin irritation. As for TENS devices, there are now innovative wireless devices. The iTENS unit from iTENS Australia is FDA-cleared and safe for personal use. Moreover, it is a highly effective device with improvements in quality of life.
TENS Machines at iTENS Australia
iTENS Australia is one of Australia’s leading certified TENS pain relief and muscle stimulators. TENS’ safe and convenient approach to pain relief makes it easily recommendable by professionals. The iTENS device is readily available online thru the iTENS Australia website without a prior medical prescription. If you want a “true” wireless TENS machine, iTENS would be a perfect product available in the market today. Also, it is the world’s first FDA-cleared TENS device that we can control via the iTENS device or an iOS or Android-based app.
Australia’s leading Pain Specialists recommend these TENS machines from iTENS Australia. Also, this is an Australian-certified medical device. They also offer a guarantee of pain relief within 10 minutes. Back, neck and knee pain relief is in minutes for chronic pain alleviation. Their TENS machines are also thin and flexible, with no wires for easy use under clothing. You can use it with or without your phone. Plus, it has a USB recharge function and a 24-hour run time. Also, its innovative design reduces gel pad wear & tear. This machine is compatible with all post-2014 Apple and Galaxy phones, or you can use it manually if you prefer. Thus, the iTENS unit is considered the best muscle stimulator in Australia.
Conclusion
Having mild to chronic pains that can lead to severe pain in your body would cause discomfort and interrupt our daily living, leading to lesser productivity throughout the day. Thus, people would tend to find ways to alleviate and treat the pain they are experiencing. Others would rely on medicines, others would rely on powerful drugs and surgery, while others would rely on a non-invasive, drug-free TENS therapy. TENS is an effective way to battle everyday pain. With technological advancement, iTENS, a wireless TENS machine, efficiently works while in comfort. iTENS is the best muscle stimulator in Australia.
