TENS Therapy: Can Electrical Stimulation Relieve Pain?
Pain can strike any of us, at any time, for a wide range of reasons. Whether it’s caused by everyday activities, work-related tension, or just aging, it can throw off our days, rob us of our favorite activities, and so much more. If this sounds at all like your experience, then you owe it to yourself to develop a pain management routine that allows you to take back some control over your life! Where to start? With a reliable, drug-free device like a TENS machine.
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It’s a small handheld device with pads you place on your body that target your nerves with gentle pulses to relieve pain.
How Does TENS Work?
Pain sensations are like phone signals. When the pain strikes, the signal will travel to the spinal cord and the brain’s relay center called the thalamus. The brain will process the information, then you will consciously perceive the painful sensation. According to the Gate Control Theory of Pain, by stimulating nerves, TENS helps reduce the pain sensations. Less painful sensations = less feeling of pain.
What Pain Can TENS Help With?
TENS therapy can effectively relieve pain all over the body, including:
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Upper back and arm pain
- Lower back pain
- Leg pain
- Foot pain
TENS can provide relief for sore muscle pain from daily activities, help manage the symptoms of chronic pain, arthritis-related pain, and post-exercise muscle pain!
Advantages of Using TENS
TENS is easy to use and you can instantly receive therapy from the comfort of your home or on the go. When you feel pain during a meeting at work or after working out, simply place the device on any painful areas, turn it on, and feel the soothing nerve and muscle stimulations.
Plus, the device is non-invasive, completely-drug free, and doesn’t require injections or medications.
It’s an affordable and accessible form of pain relief that will also last for years. In fact, it has been used by doctors and physical therapists for years, making it a good option for those who need extra therapy in-between appointments.
While TENS therapy – like any pain relief product – isn’t a total cure or solution, millions of people worldwide turn to TENS to help relieve their pain.
When to Avoid Using TENS
Although TENS therapy is gentle and has very few side effects, there are still some general warnings you should be aware of.
You should not use TENS if you have any of the following conditions:
- Cardiac Pacemakers or Implanted Defibrillator
- Epilepsy
- Are Pregnant: Using TENS therapy is not recommended during pregnancy but has been recommended by some medical professionals during labor. Always consult with your doctor before using a TENS device if you are pregnant.
In addition to that, you must not place or use TENS on these areas to avoid encountering any complications:
- Cuts & Wounds
- Your Head
- Your Throat: Placing electrodes on this area could induce severe spasms and cause difficulty breathing.
- Your Chest: Activating the electrical current into the heart may cause cardiac arrhythmias.
Important Flag: While it is possible to purchase a TENS unit without professional medical advice, we strongly advise that you speak to your doctor beforehand.
What To Look for In a TENS Machine
Choosing the right TENS unit for you can be overwhelming. There are so many different options available, each with drastic differences in features and price.
To find the best TENS machine for your specific needs, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are there good customer reviews?
- Does it come with a warranty?
- How many replacement pads does it come with?
- What does the return policy look like?
- Is it easy to use? This is especially important for seniors.
- Does it come with more than one massage mode and level?
- How portable is it?
The Best TENS Machine On the Market – In Our Opinion
Considering all the criteria mentioned above, we have found that DR-HO’S offers the best TENS machines.
Unlike most other brands, DR-HO’S TENS machines were designed by a doctor with years of direct experience with patients suffering from pain and programmed by professionally skilled engineers using proprietary software. They are all class II medical devices, cleared by FDA, Health Canada, and other trusted bodies across the globe.
Another major benefit of all DR-HO’S machines is the fact that they also include three additional pain therapies:
- Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) therapy – to relax healthy muscles and improve muscle performance
- Nerve Muscle Electrical Stimulation (NMES) therapy – to relieve muscle spasms, increase blood flow circulation, and maintain a range of motion
- Auto Modulated Pulse (AMP) technology – which provides over 300 stimulations with varying wavelengths, frequencies, and rest durations
Find the Best TENS Machine For You
Most standard TENS machines consist of a handheld device and attaching sticky pads that you place on your area of pain. And while this is a great option for someone with full body pain, DR-HO’S has created devices that are specifically designed for your area of pain. This allows for a more custom and comfortable therapy.
1. Foot & Leg Pain
For those who experience foot and leg pain, try the Circulation Promoter. It will feel like a foot massage, but with the added benefit of all the DR-HO’S pain therapy technologies. Just place your feet on top of the device and use it comfortably while relaxing or watching TV.
2. Neck & Shoulder Pain
For those with neck and shoulder pain, the Neck Pain Pro is the way to go. It might look like a standard neck pillow, but it’s so much more than that. On the outside, it's an ergonomic design that contours to your neck and shoulders, but on the inside, it has powerful electrodes that deliver targeted therapy.
3. Lower Back Pain
To help relieve back pain from heavy lifting and daily activities, try the Triple Action Back Belt. It’s a belt you wear around your waist – so you can even use it right while you're doing the activities that cause you pain! In addition to the four DR-HO’S pain therapies, it also provides core and lumbar support to help with heavy lifting and cradle your back.
Try TENS for Yourself With a 90 Day Home Trial Money Back Guarantee
Many pain sufferers have experienced pain for so long that they struggle to imagine a life without it. Whether you have yet to find an effective pain therapy tool, are uncomfortable with strong painkillers, or simply believe a life with less pain is not an attainable reality, there is hope for you!
