Is Pain Getting In Your Way?

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.

Whenever we are in pain, we would do almost anything to feel relief. Because even just an hour of less pain can mean the difference between:

• Getting up to tidy the house versus feeling trapped on the couch.

• Forgetting your pain and falling asleep versus thinking of pain and having trouble sleeping.

• Actively playing with grandchildren versus watching them play.

If this sounds 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.

What is a TENS Machine?

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. In medical literature, it is sometimes referred to as 'electrical nerve stimulation TENS.' A TENS machine stimulates the muscles and nerves for the muscles to contract and relax. These contractions stimulate healthy muscles to improve muscle performance, increase local blood circulation to help relieve pain caused by arthritis and even manage chronic pain. There has been a wealth of research supporting the efficacy of TENS machines; however, more high quality studies and clinical trials are needed to fully establish the benefits and best uses of TENS therapy.

A TENS machine consists of a few simple parts:

1. The TENS Device - A controller is used to change the therapy’s intensity, massage mode, and duration.

2. Self-Adhesive Body Pads - Sticky pads placed onto the painful area of the body. In clinical and technical contexts, these are also referred to as TENS electrodes. Some TENS devices come with a water spray bottle to wet pads before use, ensuring they stick correctly to the skin.

3. Lead Wires - Also known as lead wires in the industry, these connect the TENS device to the TENS electrodes, carrying the mild electric current from the device to the body pads.

What is TENS Therapy?

In the past, people asked ‘What is a TENS machine?’ and were given little scientific evidence to answer their question. While it has existed for many decades, it was first defined as a mechanism in scientific terms in 1965. Scientists named Melzack and Wall first came up with what they called the “Gate Control Theory.”—the prevailing theory on how we experience pain to this day.

Essentially, you can think of pain sensations as a phone call. When you call a friend, you’re sending a signal to the phone number you dialed, and the reception of your call can be strong, weak, or unreceived. Pain works the same way:

1. When pain strikes, a signal travels into the spinal cord.

2. The signal travels through the brain stem (medulla) into the brain’s relay center (thalamus).

3. The brain processes the information, and we consciously perceive the painful sensation.

Gate Control Theory showed that electric signals could be used to relieve pain by stimulating the nerves and blocking pain signals before they get to our brain. TENS uses electrical stimulation to interfere with pain messages traveling through the nervous system, helping to reduce the perception of pain. Melzack and Wall’s research resulted in the development and first use of a TENS machine.

Historically, Shealy aimed to use electrical nerve stimulation for treating conditions like migraines, back pain, and gout, pioneering the application of TENS technology for pain relief.

A given TENS session can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to a few hours in a day. While often used in formal physical therapy, modern TENS machines are available for home use and can provide effective relief when properly used. A TENS session will stimulate the muscles and nerves to increase local blood circulation and relieve chronic, intractable pain, even pain caused by arthritis.

TENS work is based on delivering electrical pulses to specific areas, sometimes including acupuncture points, to maximize pain relief. The machine delivers electrical pulses to the nerves, which can block pain messages and stimulate the release of natural painkillers such as endorphins, relieving pain. Systematic reviews have evaluated the effectiveness of TENS, but more high quality studies are needed.

The process is easy and painless, feeling like mild, pulse-like stimulations. While everyone describes the sensation of TENS therapy differently, a few we hear time and time again are:

• “A tingly sensation.”

• “A relaxing tickle on the skin.”

• “A soothing, deep tissue massage.”

What is a TENS Machine Used For?

TENS therapy can be used to target various areas of the body experiencing pain. TENS is considered an effective form of relief for:

Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain

Back, neck, or shoulder pain can arise from physical work, office work, gardening, an awkward sleeping position, lifting something heavy, and so many other everyday activities. Back pain is extremely common – especially as we get older. TENS & EMS can be an effective part of a back pain management routine to help relieve pain, relax muscle spasms, and increase your range of motion.

Feet, Knee, and Leg Pain

Whether caused by standing, moving around at work all day, or poor circulation, lower limb pain can be intrusive, inconvenient, and restricting! Unfortunately, this type of pain is widespread and can often make it difficult to move, work, run errands, or do the activities you enjoy. TENS & EMS can help relieve foot pain and increase local blood circulation.

Note: Have a condition that causes poor blood flow in the legs, ankles, or feet? Make sure you get a TENS device that also has NMES therapy. It can temporarily reduce the pain, swelling, and cramping in the legs, ankles, and feet.

Labour Pain

TENS treatment is also used for relieving labour pain. Recent studies and patient experiences show that TENS can help manage pain during labor, sometimes prolonging the time before requesting other analgesia and being well accepted by many pregnant women.

Chronic Pain

Living with pain on a daily basis can take its toll! Chronic pain can hold you back from work, play, or travel – impacting your overall quality of life. Many pain sufferers find that TENS devices help effectively manage and relieve chronic, stubborn pain symptoms. The best part? TENS machines can be used right from the comfort of your own home, car, workplace, or wherever you happen to be right when the pain hits.

Joint Pain & Arthritis-Related Pain

The Arthritis Foundation recognizes TENS as an effective option to help relieve arthritic pain! They say that “TENS has been shown to relieve osteoarthritis pain.” TENS devices present people with arthritis with an easy, effective way to relieve arthritic pain at home or on the go.

Post-Exercise Muscle Pain

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is very common after a workout session. It occurs due to the strain we put on our muscles when we exercise, causing very small, microscopic tears in the muscle fibers. While this muscle soreness is completely normal, it’s still quite uncomfortable to experience! TENS can help relieve these sore and achy muscles, while EMS can stimulate healthy muscles, to improve and facilitate muscle performance.

TENS treatment is one of several treatments available for pain relief, including options like acupuncture and medication. Its effectiveness can depend on several factors such as pad placement, intensity, and individual response. People report varying degrees of pain relief, and pain returns at different rates—sometimes immediately after the device is turned off, and other times hours or even a day later.

How Does It Work?

The key to TENS therapy is using electrical impulses to stimulate healthy muscles and nerves to temporarily increase local blood circulation to relieve sore and achy muscles. TENS is a noninvasive method for pain relief, making it a preferred option for many people.

Breaking it down into its component terminology, TENS is proposed to work as follows:

• Transcutaneous: Impulses are sent through the skin

• Electrical: The impulses are gentle electrical stimulations generated through electrodes

• Nerve: These impulses are sent to the nerves, which are connected to the muscles and are essential to muscle contraction and relaxation.

• Stimulation: The impulses work by stimulating nerves and muscles to improve muscle performance, temporarily increase local blood circulation, and for the symptomatic relief of chronic pain and pain associated with arthritis.

TENS offers a favorable safety profile compared to pharmacological treatments, with fewer risks of adverse effects, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

When adjusting frequency settings, HF TENS refers to high frequency TENS, which is generally more effective for pain relief when used at the highest tolerable intensity. LF TENS refers to low frequency TENS, which is often considered less effective than HF TENS, and its success also depends on stimulation intensity.

Using a TENS Machine

Using a TENS machine is a simple and effective way to achieve pain relief for many people dealing with acute and chronic pain. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation works by sending gentle electrical impulses through the skin to stimulate nerves, helping to block pain signals before they reach the brain. This process can help relieve pain and support your overall pain management routine, whether you’re dealing with a recent injury or long term pain.

Before you start treatment with a TENS machine, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can help you determine the best approach for your specific needs and ensure you’re using the device safely. Once you’re ready to begin, follow these steps for optimal results:

1. Pad Placement: Attach the electrode pads to clean, dry skin on the affected area where you want to reduce pain. Avoid placing pads on damaged skin, irritated skin, or areas with cuts or rashes. Make sure the pads are firmly in place to ensure good contact.

2. Device Settings: Turn on your TENS unit and start with a low intensity. Gradually increase the intensity until you feel a comfortable tingling sensation—this means the electrical impulses are stimulating your nerves. The goal is to find an adequate intensity that provides pain control without causing discomfort or unwanted muscle contractions.

3. Frequency Selection: Many TENS units allow you to choose between high frequency and low frequency settings. High frequency TENS is often used for acute pain, providing temporary pain relief, while low frequency TENS may be more effective for chronic pain and long term pain management. Some devices offer mixed frequency modes to help prevent analgesic tolerance.

4. Session Duration: Use your TENS machine for the duration recommended by your healthcare professional or the manufacturer. Sessions can range from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on your needs and the type of pain you’re experiencing.

5. Safety Tips: Never use a TENS machine near water or while operating machinery. Pregnant people and those with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers, should consult a health professional before using TENS therapy. If you notice any skin irritation or discomfort, stop use and check pad placement or intensity settings.

Consistency is key when using a TENS device for pain management. Many people find that regular use helps to ease pain and reduce their reliance on pain medications. TENS therapy can be used for temporary pain relief or as part of a comprehensive plan to manage pain over time.

Remember, TENS is just one tool in your pain management toolkit. Other methods, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, or medication, may also play a role in helping you manage pain. Work with your healthcare professional to develop a plan that fits your lifestyle and health goals.

By following these guidelines and prioritizing your safety, you can use a TENS machine to help relieve pain, improve your quality of life, and take control of your pain management journey. If you have any concerns or experience unexpected effects, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional for advice.

Are There Any Dangers to Using TENS?

While TENS therapy is safe in most circumstances, there are some potential side effects to consider before you try it for yourself.

In order to be completely safe with the use of your TENS machine, you should read and follow the instructions and consult with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding your health.

Interested in trying out TENS therapy for yourself?

DR-HO has been leading the industry in portable, effective, easy-to-use TENS therapy devices for over four decades.

Our units use a variety of Pain Therapy Technologies, not just TENS!

• TENS: Stimulates nerves that may be causing your pain to help relieve pain.

• EMS: Stimulates healthy muscles to facilitate and improve muscle performance.

• NMES: Stimulates the nerves and muscles to relax muscle spasms, increase blood flow circulation, and maintain or increase range of motion.

• Proprietary AMP: Provides over 300 automatically changing stimulations, so you get an unpredictable variety of pulses every time. This system continuously varies the electrical impulses, ensuring your body doesn't become accustomed to a single pattern. This helps ensure sustained effectiveness throughout your treatment and prevents the diminishing returns often experienced with conventional devices.

DR-HO's has a full line of different configurations for your pain therapy needs. Target your pain with specially engineered products like these:

• DR-HO'S Triple Action Back Belt is perfect for the relief of lower back pain in a convenient and comfortable package you can wear on the go!

• DR-HO'S Neck Pain Pro can relieve neck and shoulder pain caused by long hours at a computer, driving, and much more.

• DR-HO'S Circulation Promoter for increased local circulation and pain relief for feet and legs! If you spend long hours on your feet, this will change the way you manage your pain.

• DR-HO'S Pain Therapy System Pro targets pain anywhere on your body with ease. A rechargeable TENS unit that uses high-quality pads. Feel relief no matter where and when pain strikes.

Curious about TENS but not convinced just yet? DR-HO's has a 100 Day Money Back Guarantee! Try TENS for yourself completely risk-free and see if it's right for you.

Disclaimer: DR-HO'S content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a certified medical professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.