By Sangeeta Chaurasia
What Is Electrotherapy & What Features TENS Device Should Have?
Electrotherapy is a medical technique which makes use of electric signals for pain relief. It is used in for body pain, neurological disorders, muscle related pain. In this therapy, the electrical signals interfere with the transmission of the neural pain signals to the brain and slow down the message from the nerve to the brain.
TENS For Electrotherapy
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is mainly used for treating a variety of painful conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Low Back Pain
- Labor Pain
- Nerve Related Pain
Working Of TENS
It consists of a small electrical device which delivers electrical impulses to the skin. The device is usually connected by wires to sticky pad electrodes, which are then placed on the skin in pain affected area. It stimulates the area with the small low-intensity electric charge. Your TENS device can work in two modes:
High Frequency
It stimulates certain non-pain nerve fibers and blocks the nerve signals carrying the pain. Although it can be tolerated for hours, the pain relief usually lasts for a shorter period.
Low Frequency
In this mode, the endorphins get stimulated. This mode of treatment is often recommended for 20-30 minutes, but the pain relief lasts longer. Although you can use TENS unit under normal circumstances but the therapy is unsuitable for:
- Heart Patients
- Pregnant Ladies
- Patient With Skin Conditions
While using the TENS device, you can try placing electrodes in various positions, over the nerve supplying the painful area.
The Features of TENS Device (Intensity TENS Unit)
Your TENS unit must have many features and must be simple to operate. Intensity TENS unit is widely popular as it comes with a combo of 10 preset programs. Each such program targets the particular body part. Some of its features are:
Covers Many-Body Areas
This unit or device can be used for neck, wrists, shoulders, hips, mid and low back, knees, ankles, elbow and the feet.
Easy To Operate
This latest member is very easy to operate, and it requires only two buttons. You can easily apply the device on the affected body part.
Multiple Channels
The unit comes with dual channels. It allows users to treat more than 10 areas with one set of the electrode and one channel. It also allows treatment of two separate areas at the same time with both pair of electrodes and two channels. This functional simplicity is highly desirable.
Other Features
The device comes with 0-105 mA adjustable pulse amplitude. It has 10 preselection and comes with a timer. The battery is that of 9V. The device comes with an LCD screen and 2 independent channels. The portable wave –form comes in Mono-phase square pulse wave. The pulse rate of the device varies from 50-150 Hz. The pulse width varies from 100-260 microseconds.
Correctly Using The TENS Machine
Now that you have the best TENS Pain Relief machine you must know how to use it for best results. You may have to do the following settings:
The Mode
You can opt amongst Normal, Bust & Modulation modes. The Normal mode gives a constant stimulation at which you set the frequency and pulse width. This mode is used for acute pain relief. In Modulation mode, the frequency varies between different settings and makes use of cycles to reduce the nerve adaptation. Most used in acute and chronic pain relief. The Burst mode is mainly used for chronic pain relief. The device will send a burst of pain relieving power.
The Frequency
It is the measure of some pulses felt in the second. You should use following settings:
- 80-120 Hz-Acute Pain
- 35-50 Hz-Muscle Stimulation
- 2-10 Hz-Chronic Pain
The Pulse Width
These are the periods for which the current is ON. The pain relief occurs with low-to-mid time periods. Bu adjusting pulse width you can alter the time each pulse lingers before resetting. You can use 175-200 microseconds as the pulse width.
Duration Of Usage
You should use the machine for various duration’s for pain relief.
- Acute Pain: 20-60 mins and up to four times daily
- Chronic Pain: 20-30 mins and up to five times daily.
With a basic understanding of electrotherapy, and a TENS device packed with features you are ready for electrotherapy. So go ahead and get an Intensity TENS unit and use it to get rid of the pain immediately.
Sangeeta Chaurasia
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