What is a TENS Unit?by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger 27 Sep 2009 07:46 PM One option for managing pain is a TENS unit. TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation... a scary name (electrical what now?) for a helpful therapy. How it works, in brief: electrodes are stuck to the skin in the area where a patient is experiencing pain. The TENS unit delivers an electrical current to the skin and tissues. Intensity of the current can vary; users generally report feeling tingling or pins and needles in the area. Why it works: experts believe that the electrical current disrupts the pain by giving a different sensation to the skin and tissues. The current may be disrupting the pain signals as they try to travel to the brain! The current may also trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and feel-good chemicals. The relief from pain can last for several hours after use! For a person with chronic pain, this may be a HUGE plus in the favor of trying a TENS unit. One drawback is that once the pain has been relieved, many people overexert themselves and end up feeling worse once the pain comes back. TENS units have been prescribed for a variety of pain issues, including:
A TENS unit does not require a prescription, but it's best to see your doctor or healthcare provider before using one. A professional can help teach you how to properly apply the electrodes, operate the unit and change batteries, use the controls, and set the proper level of electrical stimulation. People with pacemakers should not use a TENS unit. Pregnant women should probably not use a TENS unit, as experts aren't sure yet how the electrical current affects babies. You should not use electrodes on your face, head, and neck unless supervised by a professional. Ready to learn more about using a TENS unit to manage pain? Start with your doctor. If you're looking for a drug-free alternative for pain management, this might be a good place to find one! Learn more about Aimee Amodio  Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover... Relevanthealth tags User Comments nancylanda (8) 02 Nov 2009 10:11 AMNice informative post! It is unfortunate that those with pacemakers and pregnant women are not able to use it. An alternative for those with pacemakers, or pregnant women is discussed in a post on my blog: http://landahealth.com/?p=344 ~Nancy Landa Community Tags back pain, pain relief Discuss this article
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