Transcutaneous nerve stimulation is a type of electrotherapy that delivers a low electric current through electrodes pasted on your skin to nerves for pain relief. Delivery of current is via a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, or TENS for short, which is a small battery powered device.
Transcuteneous electrical nerve stimulator device’s delivery of current is adjustable as to placement of electrodes, frequency and intensity. Optimal settings for TENS device are subjective and are usually determined by trial and error.
Since the position of TENS device electrodes is vital, you’ll typically start by placing them over your painful areas. Yet other locations may offer superior pain relief, like over cutaneous nerves, trigger points or acupuncture sites.
Transcutaneous nerve stimulation is being used by many to relieve pain associated with numerous health conditions, such as:
- TMJ
- neuritis
- bursitis
- arthritis
- sciatica
- myalgia
- tendinitis
- childbirth
- neuralgia
- arthralgia
- headache
- pelvic pain
- fibromyalgia
- sports injury
- bone cancer
- incontinence
- osteoarthritis
- shingles pain
- dysmenorrhea
- myofascial pain
- lower back pain
- postsurgical pain
- tension headache
- bone fracture pain
- migraine headache
- rheumatoid arthritis
- diabetic neuropathy
- neck pain, whiplash
- spinal cord injury pain
- ankylosing spondylitis
- amputation phantom limb pain
- wound healing associated pain
- nausea caused by chemotherapy side effect
Transcutaneous nerve stimulation won’t cure your underlying health condition. The best a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator device can do is relieve mild pain. And is very often ineffective for severe pain relief.
Use of transcuteneous electrical nerve stimulator device for treanscutaneous nerve stimulation is touted as a noninvasive and drug free way to manage pain. How this nerve stimulation relieves pain is unclear and controversial. Some even claim TENS device stimulates endorphin production, your body’s natural painkillers. Although, research on this and various other pain relief benefits remains inconclusive at this time.
Trancutaneous nerve stimulation can be administered at home by using a portable TENS device. But a prescription is required to obtain one.