Pain can show up gradually or immediately, and there is no way of knowing for sure when it can happen. Pain can present itself as a burning, sharp, throbbing, or shooting (radiating) sensation. It can cause severe discomfort, especially for those who do not have an effective pain management regimen. Fortunately, pain management can be easy with the help of oral medication, physiotherapy, and electrotherapy. Moreover, these methods are also highly effective. Oral medicines and physiotherapy might need professional healthcare help. However, you can perform electrotherapy with a personal TENS device, like the iTENS from iTENS Australia, on your own. Electrotherapy is a pain management treatment that uses a small TENS machine to provide electrical stimulation on our nerves. This stimulation helps reduce the pain sensations we’d typically feel in a health condition or injury.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an electrotherapy method that uses low-voltage electrical currents to stimulate our nerves. This nerve stimulation process falls under the “Gate Control Theory” of pain management. The theory states that constant electrical stimulation on a nerve may cause specific sensory pathways to close. These pathways are where our pain signals travel through to reach our brain. Closure of particular pathways can prevent pain signals to travel, thus, reducing the pain we’d typically feel. Furthermore, TENS therapy can also induce endorphin release to add comfort when using a small TENS machine. Moreover, endorphins are our body’s natural painkillers, and they can:
- Decrease pain and discomfort
- Decrease stress
- Improve relaxation
- Improve mood
A Small TENS Machine: iTENS
Nowadays, highly innovative and effective personal devices are available for pain management treatments. The iTENS is a compact and small TENS machine that is entirely wireless. The highly compact and portable feature of the iTENS makes it an ideal partner for pain management. Users will find bringing the iTENS around is easy. You no longer must limit your pain management treatment at home. The iTENS allows users to manage their pain even when they have a busy schedule. Furthermore, having no wires allow for more fluid movement during your pain treatment. This feature will enable users to use their TENS device during working hours or even during their commute to work. This device can easily fit in pockets, bags, and purses. Gone are the days when you needed a bulky device with wires to perform TENS therapy.
A Small TENS Machine: iTENS Advantages
The iTENS from iTENS Australia is a small TENS machine with plenty of advantages that make it the best option for TENS therapy. Firstly, it is a TENS device that is capable of Bluetooth connection. This Bluetooth connection allows users to pair the iTENS with their smartphone seamlessly. Having smartphone connectivity enables the user to access the iTENS app. In the iTENS app, you can select from various pre-set treatments for specific health conditions and body areas. With the iTENS, you can easily and quickly begin optimal pain management treatments at a push of a button. Moreover, having pre-set parameters ready can benefit users that don’t have much electrotherapy experience. Anyone can use the iTENS to treat their pain optimally.
The compact size and accessibility of the iTENS is another advantage it has over other devices. A small TENS machine like the iTENS can easily be attached to several different body parts. This feature allows the user to treat several areas and conditions with just one machine. You no longer need to purchase additional devices to treat other health conditions or injuries. Furthermore, the iTENS allows more freedom to move around during treatments. This allows the user to integrate exercises even during TENS therapy. Performing exercise during treatment can further help with pain control and recovery. Moreover, exercises during TENS treatments can help improve blood circulation. Improved blood circulation can help with muscle and nerve regeneration and shorten the recovery time.
Using A Small TENS Machine
When using a small TENS machine like the iTENS from iTENS Australia, it is essential to remember to attach the device to your skin before turning it on. This method can help prevent sudden shocks. Once you’ve secured the device to your skin, you should pair it with your smartphone. From the iTENS app on your smartphone, select what condition or body area you want to treat. For example, choose the “sciatica” option when treating sciatic pain. Furthermore, users may also set their personalized parameters in “manual mode” to add more comfort during treatments. This mode allows the user to manually adjust the device’s intensity, frequency, pulse width, and pulse duration. Professionals recommend starting with the lowest frequency and intensity possible. Users should only gradually increase the parameters. This method can help prevent skin or nerve irritations during treatments.
The iTENS is a small TENS machine that you can discreetly wear under your clothes. This feature allows users to use the machine wherever they are. Furthermore, the iTENS has flexible pads that allow for optimal treatments of specific body parts. It is important to remember that a specific surface area must be covered to provide adequate electrical stimulation. For example, using small electrode pads on the back might be ineffective due to insufficient stimulation. Pad placement also plays a vital role in the effectiveness of the treatment. It is crucial to place the pads over or around the painful area.
Pad Sizing
The iTENS comes with three interchangeable pad sizes that you can choose from. These pad sizes should be used for specific health conditions and body areas. Furthermore, having different pad sizes allows this small TENS machine to be more versatile with what it can treat. You can buy the additional electrode wing pads from the iTENS Australia website. When choosing the pad size, you can use this as a guide:
- Large iTENS electrode wing pads: These pads are for big areas like the back and shoulder
- Long iTENS electrode wing pads: These pads are for elongated treatment areas like the leg up to your back. These pads are effective for conditions like sciatica.
- Small iTENS electrode wing pads: These are mainly for small and flexible areas like the ankle and wrist. You can discreetly wear these pads under your clothes during treatment.
Is Electrotherapy Safe?
Electrotherapy with a small TENS machine like the iTENS from iTENS Australia is a non-toxic, safe, and all-natural method for pain relief. Unlike some oral pain medications, TENS devices do not have any adverse side effects. Furthermore, you can use a TENS device all throughout the day. However, it is essential to remember to take 20-minute breaks in between sessions. Moreover, the iTENS has FDA approval to be a safe personal pain relief device. Before purchasing your first TENS device, consult a doctor or physiotherapist. People with epilepsy, cancer patients, and people with cardiac pacemakers should avoid TENS machines.
