Understanding The Use Of TENS For Back Pain
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, also called TENS, is a treatment sometimes administered to treat back pain. TENS devices are used by physiotherapists, and there are also units available for home use. When used at home, the patient follows the instructions of a healthcare professional. Many individuals report that the treatment relieves their pain; however, there are some who have undergone treatment with this technique who found it didn’t help them.
Trial and error may be used to determine the best settings for an individual patient. The frequency, intensity and duration can be varied within certain limits set by a physician or trained operator. A TENS session typically lasts 45 minutes. Frequent session seem to improve results. The device should not be used without the approval of a physician.
TENS is used to treat many conditions, including back pain. It may be used to treat the pain and muscle spasms that accompany vertebral fracture. It is also useful in the treatment of spinal cord trauma, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve), herniated discs, and rheumatoid arthritis.
It is not known how TENS acts to relieve pain, although it is generally believed that it prevents the transmission of pain impulses to the brain. It has also been suggested that the electrical impulses delivered by the unit may stimulate the body to produce chemicals, such as endorphins, that relieve pain. If it does work for a particular individual, beneficial results may be apparent immediately or not for 3 or 4 months.
TENS should not be used by individuals with the following conditions: implants (such as pacemakers and spinal cord stimulators), certain heart condition, and epilepsy. It should not be used by pregnant women. The device should not be used over the throat or over the carotid sinus (a large blood vessels located below the jaw).
If you suffer from conditions such as severe lower back pain or sciatic nerve pain, you need to know how to treat the problem. Get the facts you need at the Back Pain and Sciatica Relief site.