Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machines and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) devices are increasingly popular medical products. TENS and EMS devices deliver low-voltage electric currents to the skin and activate mechanisms for beneficial effects. This includes the pain gate mechanism and endorphin production for TENS, while EMS induces muscle contractions. They provide drug-free and non-invasive treatment. They are also cost-effective and convenient to use. People can use them for chronic and acute pain disorders and athletic training.
Many people use TENS and EMS machines in medical settings. They are helpful for people undergoing rehabilitation from injury with minimal risk. They are complementary to other treatment options and easy to operate. As such, some people buy personal units for convenient use. TENS is ideal for people with chronic health conditions. Meanwhile, EMS can help boost athletic performance. This article will present information on how EMS and TENS units work, their benefits, and their applications.
How Do TENS and EMS Devices Work?
TENS and EMS devices use low-voltage electric currents to deliver electrical stimulation to the body. People can customise their sessions depending on their comfort level and needs. These can have several effects on the user. Firstly, using high-frequency TENS currents can trigger the spinal nerve fibres to block pain signals from reaching the brain. This is an ideal setting for addressing acute pain conditions.
Meanwhile, low-frequency TENS currents can induce the release of endorphins. These hormones provide lasting natural pain relief. It also has other effects, such as reducing inflammation, improving moods, and reducing stress. As such, it can help improve the quality of life, particularly of those suffering from chronic pain conditions.
Meanwhile, the EMS machine settings use electrical currents to induce involuntary muscle contractions. This can help with improving muscle performance after an injury and reducing disuse atrophy. Furthermore, electric stimulation can help improve blood flow to the target area. This can help people with poor blood circulation improve healing and relax tight muscles.
Main Theories at Work
- Gate Control Theory of Pain: A theory proposing that electrical stimulation can block pain signals from reaching the brain, providing pain relief. It presents that the stimulation can close the gates in the spinal cord. As such, it is also known as the pain gate mechanism.
- Endorphin Release Theory: This suggests that TENS therapy can trigger the release of endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving hormones the body produces. These hormones build up and bind to opioid receptors for temporary relief of pain. Moreover, they can help improve the range of motion by reducing inflammation and causing the body to relax.
Benefits of Using TENS and EMS Devices
There are several benefits to using TENS and EMS devices. Firstly, they are non-invasive forms of electrotherapy. Hence, they provide effective relief and positive results without the risks that surgical procedures typically have. This can help reduce the need for invasive procedures. Secondly, using combo devices can be cost-effective, especially with long-term use. Owning a personal unit decreases trips to clinics and has few maintenance costs.
Thirdly, TENS and EMS digital machines can help reduce the intake of medications. TENS provides quick and natural pain relief, while EMS can reduce muscle atrophy without assistance from drugs. This is ideal for many who wish to avoid the side effects of medications. Moreover, modern machine units have many preset programs that can provide effective treatments.
Lastly, TENS and EMS combo machines are convenient to use. They have lightweight and compact designs that make them easy to carry around. Thus, people can use them in various locations without much hassle. In particular, some wireless devices have wearable electrode pads that can be hidden underneath clothing. They also have user-friendly controls.
Are There Potential Side Effects?
Although TENS and EMS are safe for many people, there are potential side effects to using this type of machine. They are generally mild and fade with time. Nevertheless, learning about them and how to prevent them can help people avoid discomfort.
One potential side effect is skin irritation underneath the adhesive electrode site. This is commonly from overuse of the unit. Hence, it is crucial to follow the prescribed treatment durations. Some may experience persistent muscle twitching even after the session. It is typically from excessively high-intensity levels. Lastly, there are cases where people have allergic reactions to the electrodes.
Applications of TENS and EMS Devices
TENS and EMS devices have several beneficial applications. People primarily use TENS as a drug-free pain relief technology. It works well with acute pain or aches that last for about three months. This type typically fades as the injury heals or the person recovers. However, it may also develop into chronic pain. Examples of these ailments are post-operative pain, labour pain, menstrual cramps, and sports injuries.
TENS therapy is also a treatment option for chronic pain conditions. These are disorders that persist for more than three months, often due to an underlying condition. It can be debilitating and stressful to deal with this type of pain. Fortunately, TENS can help improve moods while providing effective relief. Chronic conditions include arthritis, fibromyalgia, and sciatica.
Meanwhile, EMS devices can help people with paralysis and post-stroke complications. By stimulating muscle contractions, patients can reduce atrophy and experience better results with physical activity. Many individuals also use EMS for athletic training. It can help during warm-ups and reduce tension after workouts.
When to See a Doctor?
Although TENS and EMS bring many benefits, consulting a medical professional before using them is ideal. Some people may be sensitive or experience adverse reactions due to their medical conditions. As such, pregnant women, people with heart disease, and individuals with electric implants should talk to their doctors before using electrotherapy.
Foremost, they should see a doctor if they experience additional pain during or after their treatment session. This is likely a sign of an underlying condition that reacts negatively to electric stimulation programs. They should also see a doctor if they have skin irritation that does not improve or gets worse over time.
Conclusion
TENS and EMS devices are beneficial tools that help many people with various conditions. They use low-voltage electric currents to provide pain relief and induce involuntary muscle contractions. They have several beneficial effects that can improve the quality of life of many people. People suffering from acute and chronic pain disorders can use TENS to alleviate pain. Meanwhile, they can use EMS to improve their muscle performance and muscle healing.
TENS and EMS treatments are non-invasive and drug-free therapies. They have minimal risks and are convenient to conduct at home. People can buy personal units to use outside of medical settings. Nevertheless, consulting a medical professional is ideal before undergoing electrotherapy. It is a particularly crucial measure for those with heart disease, epilepsy, and implanted devices. Moreover, people who experience worse pain symptoms during or after the session should seek medical help.
