TENS

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator. TENS is battery-powered unit which sends electrical impulses through electrodes placed on or near the painful site. This causes a tingling sensation that may reduce pain, even pain that hasn't responded to other treatments. Usually though, TENS is used with other treatments prescribed by your doctor, and may help reduce the amount of pain killers required.
One theory on how TENS works is that it blocks pain in the spinal cord. Another is that stimulation with TENS causes natural pain relieving substances to be released, thereby reducing pain. In clinical trials, TENS has been shown to be an effective and safe method for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.
Some conditions for which TENS may help include:

• Chronic Pain: Neck and Back pain, Headache, migraine, Arthritis, Post-herpetic neuralgia, Sciatica, Lumbago
  
  
• Acute Pain: Childbirth, Post-operative pain, Fractures, Tennis elbow, Muscular Strains

Unlike drugs, TENS does not cause nausea, drowsiness, limited activity, personality changes or addiction. TENS may sometimes cause skin irritation or redness. Usually this disappears quickly or can be prevented by using alternative gels or electrodes.

There are some things to bear in mind when considering a TENS machine:

1. TENS devices should be used with caution where the cause of the pain has not been established.
   
   
2. TENS stimulation is of no curative value. That is, TENS does not do anything to the underlying cause of the pain.
   
   
3. TENS should be kept out of the reach of children.
   
   
4. Electrical stimulation over the carotid sinus, i.e. anywhere over the front of the neck, may be hazardous.
   
   
5. The safety of TENS during pregnancy has not been established.

Please note that it is essential that you are shown by a health professional how to use your TENS. The reason for this is that only a qualified health professional can instruct you properly in the use of TENS. You will be more likely to get a benefit from the TENS and less likely to experience any problems. Usually, a doctor, nurse or physiotherapist will instruct you.