Pain management is so varied and complex. Nowadays, the treatment of pain has several modalities, techniques, and effectiveness. What makes pain management tricky is that what works for one may not work for the other. Each person reacts differently to medications and therapies. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a popular electrotherapy method that many people use to relieve acute and body pains. It treats pain in the neck, arms, shoulder blades, lower back, and feet. People with health conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, sciatica, and tendonitis use TENS to reduce pain. The TENS effectiveness also elicits different reactions from people with various pains.
To gauge the TENS effectiveness, let’s consider how TENS work. TENS employs low-voltage electrical impulses targeting the nerves to activate the natural pain relief mechanism. Like the wireless iTENS, a TENS device works under two essential principles: Gate Control Pain Theory and Endorphin release.
- Gate Control Pain Theory: The electrical stimulation from a TENS unit enables a mechanism in the spinal cord to temporarily close the “neural gate.” The so-called gate controls the transmission of pain signals. When the gate is closed, it inhibits the pain signals from reaching the brain. This process can reduce the perception of pain.
- Endorphin Release: The stimulation of the nerve fibres induces the release of endorphins or enkephalins, known as the body’s natural painkillers.
Factors Affecting TENS Effectiveness
A TENS effectiveness will also matter significantly on the proper use and care of the device. Follow the correct placement guide and settings of TENS machines to reach the highest level of satisfaction. Accurate placement guides and TENS settings are essential for effective pain relief. Additionally, TENS therapy coupled with intensive treatments (like exercise) makes pain relief and rehabilitation faster. The right TENS device simplifies the process of pain alleviation.
There are many positive reviews from users that TENS relieves pain for them while using the machine. Others say that they experience longer-lasting pain relief after each session. While pain relief may vary from person to person, the TENS effectiveness shows positive results with different kinds of pain. TENS is a non-invasive form of therapy, and it is a drug-free alternative to oral medications. The iTENS is a wireless TENS machine that can effectively treat various pains with no adverse side effects. iTENS is one of the first wireless TENS devices with FDA approval to be safe for pain treatment. Its Bluetooth capabilities make pain management even more comfortable and convenient. Furthermore, for the best results, check with a physician or physiotherapist on the proper use of a TENS machine.
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