TENS therapy is becoming the go-to pain management treatment nowadays. It is a form of electrotherapy that utilises low voltage electrical currents to provide instant pain relief. TENS pain management therapy involves using a device commonly called a TENS machine. These machines employ TENS machine electrodes to relieve pain. Having pain symptoms and conditions can be cumbersome in your everyday life. Whether it is acute (short term) or chronic (long term) pain, it can be a hassle to live your life while dealing with it. Fortunately, TENS therapy aims to provide an all-natural and non-invasive pain relief method with machines like the iTENS wireless device at iTENS Australia. The iTENS device is where convenience and technology meet to improve quality of life.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Machines
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Transcutaneous means “through the skin”. In addition, TENS machines are battery-powered medical devices used to relieve acute and chronic pain. TENS machine electrodes (sticky pads) are the parts of the TENS device placed directly on your skin. The electrodes work by sending small electrical impulses that help with pain relief and encourage increased blood circulation. Thus, helping with healing and reducing muscle spasms. TENS therapy’s ultimate goal is to provide the user with drug-free pain relief by using electrotherapy. The electrical impulses are mild, painless and can generally be considered safe. Pain management treatment using TENS therapy can relieve both chronic and acute pain conditions. TENS devices can effectively treat some of the most common pain disorders, such as:
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Labour pain
- Lower back pain
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Blood Circulation
TENS Machine Electrodes: How does it work?
Two significant concepts tell us how TENS machine electrodes can provide pain relief. Firstly, and the most prominent, is the Gate Control Theory of Pain. This theory states a neural mechanism located in the spinal column that functions as a neural gate. When this “gate” is open, pain signals pass through the brain, making us feel pain. This is now where electrotherapy using TENS machine electrodes comes into play. The high-intensity electrical impulses (at around 90 to 130 Hz) generated by a TENS machine disrupt and block the pain signals being sent to the brain. Thus, closing the neural gates and making us not feel the pain.
Secondly, using low-intensity pulse rates (at around 2 to 5 Hz) stimulates the body and causes it to produce endorphins and enkephalins. These chemicals are considered to be our body’s natural pain killers. They are natural morphine-like chemicals that can block pain signals, increase happiness and improve mood. Therefore, setting your TENS machine to low intensities and placing your TENS machine electrodes in key places makes your body produce these “feel good” chemicals that are all-natural.
Usage Guide
As stated, the electrical impulses running through the TENS machine electrodes to the skin can be effective for healing and recovery from childbirth or post-surgery wounds, back pain, sciatica, sports injuries, stress, and encourage increased blood circulation. Using TENS therapy to help with pain relief is an excellent option; it is completely drug-free and has little to no side effects. It is safe and easy to use TENS machines; however, the electrical impulses that a TENS device emits may cause a tingling sensation, which some people may find irritating and unpleasant.
TENS therapy can be used for pain relief or as a complementary treatment along with other therapies. TENS devices for managing your pain may result in less intake of pain medication such as opioids. Thus, reducing the chances of getting addicted to non-natural pain killers. Moreover, there will be no risks of overdosing during your pain management treatment sessions. If you are new to using TENS, you may want to set the program to the lowest intensity setting first and then adjust accordingly. You may also need to try out various settings on your TENS device to find the appropriate intensity levels that suit your needs.
You can follow these steps on using your TENS machine:
- Ensure that you have charged your TENS device before usage.
- Remove the protective film that covers the TENS machine electrodes.
- Apply the pads directly to your skin (on or around the point of pain) and press the start button. Make sure that the device is turned off before applying the electrode pads.
- Choose the TENS intensity settings that suit your needs, then turn on the device.
Things to Know about TENS Machine Electrodes:
- Ensure that you place the TENS machine electrodes to clean and dry skin. It is recommended that you wash your skin with mild soap and water.
- Double-check that the pads are strongly placed onto your skin.
- It would be best not to use any cream, spray, or body lotion on your skin or the device when undergoing TENS therapy.
- It would be best not to place the device on your head, face or neck.
- Keep the TENS machine electrodes in a cool, dry place if not in use. Please do not keep it in a refrigerator.
The Wireless iTENS Device and its Revolutionary TENS Machine Electrodes
The iTENS wireless devices offer users a compact, portable and discreet way of managing their pain. The iTENS wireless device is a modern-day electrotherapy device that merges wearable technology with a TENS unit’s effective and lasting pain relief. Furthermore, it is the world’s first FDA-cleared, completely wireless TENS therapy device. Having FDA clearance guarantees you are getting a properly tested and safe medical device that passed all verifications. You can seamlessly connect the iTENS unit with its app on an iOS or Android device via Bluetooth connection. Alternatively, you may also use it manually through the device itself. Additionally, its TENS machine electrodes are a first of their kind.
The iTENS’ TENS machine electrodes have an innovative design to look like “wings”. This makes them more flexible and effective than traditional electrode pads that use wired electrodes. With the iTENS, the days of wired and bulky TENS machines are in the past. The iTENS electrode pads are also interchangeable and have various sizes to treat specific pain conditions efficiently. The “small wings” (pads) accessory allows pain relief on smaller and more flexible body areas. The “large wings” (pads) accessory helps provide maximum coverage on broader pain areas. Furthermore, there is also an option of the “long strip” accessory that allows treatment on pain areas that radiate downwards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the revolutionary design of the iTENS device and its TENS machine electrodes provide maximum convenience without affecting effectiveness. The iTENS wireless device truly is an innovation in modern pain management treatment. You may find the iTENS and its accessories and spare gel pad at iTENS Australia.
