Tens machines are used for all sorts of benefits though the most commonly known one is pregnancy. The device can have numerous positive pain benefits and we look at these below.
Overview Of TENS Machines
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation units, TENS< have many benefits. They reduce pain sensations using electrical impulses. At Stanford University in the Materials Sciences Department, Dr. William Teller cites studies indicated that the production of endorphin within the body increases when a TENS unit is used. Endorphins are painkillers made within the body using natural processes. In order to decrease the number and intensity of pain signals, electrical currents are conducted through the skin by the electrodes used by the TENS machine.
Perception Of Pain
On the website for the TENS unit, the company explains that near the pain is where these padded electrodes are placed. They emit electrical impulses that resonate between the skin and the pads. Nerve fibres within the skin effectively decrease the number of pain signals routed to the brain. The location and intensity of the electrical impulses are controlled by the person wearing the device. The unit is designed to decrease the perception of pain by stimulating the production of endorphins, which are the body’s naturally produced chemicals for killing pain.
The results vary between patients. Some find relief from pain only while the unit is actively operating. However, for others, long after the unit is turned off, they still experience less pain. The unit is designed to work with acute pain as well and is used after a traumatic injury and surgical procedures.
Back Pain And Dental Pain Relief
After experiencing a dental procedure that was especially painful, the Journal of the American Dental Association notes that people are less likely to return to the dentist for future appointments. However, patients were more likely to return for routine or follow up appointments after a TENS unit was used to reduce pain during a dental procedure. The NHS website provides plenty of info on this.
In cases where patients have sciatica, disc degeneration, or a pinched nerve, the TENS unit can inhibit nerve pain and reduce inflammation of muscles, according to the Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Department at the University of Washington.
In Ontario, Canada at the Ottawa General Hospital, the TENS unit was tested to see if it could treat knee osteoarthritis. During trials, they sought to determine the most effective method to control pain using the TENS machine. In this study, researchers found that stiffness in the knee significantly decreased. The pain in the knee was more effectively decreased by using wider bursts of electricity from the TENS machine and by alternating the levels used. While the studies were encouraging, a larger study was recommended.
A tens machine can be a fantastic addition to pregnancy and also as you can see from above for a variety of other conditions. Babytens offer Tens Machine Hire in the UK for pregnancy and if you’re interested in something for other medical use it might be best consult a physician.
They provide significant benefits and have a lot of people provide positive testament about them from a range of scenarios.