How T.E.N.S Can Provide Pain Relief Without Pain-Relieving Drugs
Millions of people suffer with chronic pain every day. Chronic pain is pain that is constantly present over an extended period of time. And being in pain every day can interrupt your quality of life.
Many people take some form of pain-relieving medications, whether over-the-counter or prescriptions all the time. But taking drugs everyday can also have an adverse effect on your life, not to mention, your body.
But, what choice do you have? You can’t function in pain and medication seems to be the only method that actually works!
The first step to managing your pain is to understand why you hurt. Consult with your physician to see the exact reasoning behind your pain. Once you know why there’s pain, there may be more options than you think!
What is T.E.N.S.?
Transcutaneous Electro-Nerve Stimulators, commonly known as “T.E.N.S.”, may just be the right answer for you! It is a portable pain controlling device used for a variety of pain syndromes. It is easy to use and has virtually no side effects, except the possible reduction of pain! Personal T.E.N.S units are roughly the size of a beeper and can attach to your belt loop for take-with-you pain relief.
This beeper-sized unit comes with small wires that attach to sticky pads, also known as electrodes. These electrodes are attached on or near the site of pain. Low voltage electrical impulses are sent through the electrodes causing a tingling sensation. This sensation scrambles pain signals, reducing the amount of perceived pain.
The small impulses stimulate nerve endings. Though it is not clear whether these impulses actually block the pain signals or stimulate your body’s natural pain-relieving substances, T.E.N.S has been proven to assist people in gaining control over chronic pain issues!
Contraindications and Warnings For T.E.N.S. Usage:
A contraindication is a condition or symptom, which is not appropriate for its use. For example, you should not use this form of pain management if you have a pacemaker. And its use is never recommended with undiagnosed pain syndromes.
T.E.N.S should never be used directly on the head, on or around the eyes or over the carotid sinus nerves, which are located in the front of your neck. The side effects are not known with pregnancy.
Though there are no major side effects if used correctly, long-term use may result in skin irritation or minor burning under the electrode. Also, there is a possibility of an allergic reaction since electrodes are pre-gelled. In other words, in order for the electrical impulse to be transmitted through the skin a special gel must be used and some people are allergic. Care also must be taken to avoid an allergic reaction to tape, since the electrodes tend to lose its ability to stay intact with frequent use.
Indications For Use
T.E.N.S. can be used for a variety of chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis, headaches, neck pain, back pain and sciatica. It has also been successful in helping cope with some acute issues such as post-operative pain, fractures, muscle sprains/strains and some forms of tendonitis.
You should always consult with your physician before attempting this treatment. In fact, you cannot obtain a T.E.N.S. unit without a referral from your physician or physical therapist.
Whereas transcutaneous elector-nerve stimulation can be quite helpful to assist you in dealing with pain issues, it can offer no curative properties. Pain relief is temporary, much like that medication, but without the side effects. T.E.N.S. won’t cloud your judgment or make you drowsy – there is no “avoid driving or operating heavy machinery” warning on its label! And best of all, it will not interfere with any other treatment method. If fact, it works rather well in conjunction with other methods.
And though this external, relatively safe method of pain reduction cannot guarantee you’ll never have to take that pain medication ever again, but perhaps it could reduce the amount required to keep your pain under control. As with most pain-relieving techniques, its effects are only temporary.
So if you’re tired of the constant pain and pill popping, talk to your doctor about the benefits of transcutaneous electro-nerve stimulation. It may be the temporary solution you’ve been searching for!
