Do you sometimes feel like, "Oh, if only there was something else you could do for this without taking medication" when you have back pain, knee pain, or some other persistent pain? Today we are going to talk about a method that can reduce pain in addition to taking medication. You may have heard about this or seen it at a physiotherapy center. That is TENS therapy.
What is TENS? Let's understand it simply.
Simply put, TENS is an abbreviation for the long words Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation . In Sinhala, it means "electrical stimulation of nerves through the skin." But it's easy to forget this long name and just remember the name TENS.
This is a form of pain relief. It uses a very small, low-voltage electrical current to either block your pain or change the way you feel it. Don't worry, this isn't the big electrical current you find in homes, it's a very small, safe electrical current. It's like sending a little message to the pain-sensing nerves in our bodies.
For many people, TENS therapy is effective. But for others, it may not be as effective. Researchers are still trying to figure out why. Many doctors believe that this electrical current releases chemicals in our bodies that reduce pain.
How does a TENS machine really reduce pain?
There are two main theories about how TENS therapy relieves pain. Think of it this way: there are two ways it works.
1. Blocking Pain Signals:
Imagine that there is a nerve pathway that carries a message about pain from the point where you are in pain to the brain. The small electrical signal from the TENS machine travels along that pathway before the pain signal reaches the brain. The brain then focuses on that electrical signal. It's like creating a traffic jam on the road and not letting the car carrying the pain go forward. This greatly reduces your pain.
2. Releasing endorphins:
The other theory is that this electrical stimulation causes our body to produce a natural painkiller. We call these chemicals 'endorphins' . When you exercise or laugh, you feel happy because these endorphins are released. So what the TENS machine does is activate this 'painkiller' that is in our body.
It is now believed that pain is often reduced by a combination of these two methods.
What kind of pain is TENS used for?
Doctors use TENS to treat a wide range of short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) pain conditions. Here are a few of them.
| Pain/illness | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Back Pain | A common problem for many people. |
| Osteoarthritis | Joint pain that occurs as we age. |
| Fibromyalgia | Muscle pain and fatigue throughout the body. |
| Tendinitis | Swelling of the tissues (tendons) that connect muscles to bones. |
| Bursitis | Swelling of the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) around the joints. |
| Diabetic Neuropathy | Inflammation and pain caused by nerve damage in the limbs due to diabetes. |
How do you use a TENS machine?
A TENS machine is a device about the size of a small cell phone. It has wires attached to it and several pads that attach to the ends of those wires that you can stick to your skin. These pads are called electrodes .
Let's see how to use this step by step:
1. First, you need to attach the electrode pads to the wires that connect them to the machine.
2. Next, peel off the sticker on the back of these pads and apply them to the area of pain or the area around it. It is very important to ask your doctor or physiotherapist for the exact location of the pads. Applying them in the wrong places may result in ineffective results.
3. Now turn on the machine and adjust the intensity and frequency of the electrical current coming from it to the level you feel comfortable with.
4. The goal is to keep the electrical impulses at a comfortable level, like a tickle, even if they are intense . Do not increase the intensity to the point of pain.
During TENS therapy, pain usually subsides. However, the length of time the pain subsides after the treatment is over varies from person to person. Some people say the pain subsides within 24 hours. For others, the pain starts to return as soon as the machine is turned off.
The most important thing is, don't try using a TENS machine on your own without consulting your doctor, especially if you have other medical conditions.
Who should not have TENS therapy and where should it not be done!
Although this is a very safe method, TENS therapy is not suitable for everyone. It is also not a good idea to apply these pads all over the body. You should definitely be aware of this.
| Warning! Be especially careful with this. |
|---|
| People who should not use TENS |
| - Pregnant mothers (especially in the abdomen and lower back area) |
| - People who have a device such as a pacemaker installed in their body |
| - People with cancer |
| - People with epilepsy |
| - People with heart disease |
| - People with blood clotting diseases (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT) |
| Places where TENS pads should not be placed |
| - Wounded, cut, scaly or infected skin surfaces |
| - In the eyes, mouth, front and side areas of the head or neck |
| - Related to the genitals |
| - In areas where veins are tied up (Varicose veins) |
| - Numb, insensitive areas of skin |
| - In areas that have recently received radiation therapy |
If you have any doubts about this, be sure to talk to your doctor before using it.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of TENS therapy?
Like any treatment method, TENS has both advantages and disadvantages.
| Benefits | Disadvantages & Risks |
|---|---|
| Non-invasive: It does not cut or pierce the skin, so it does not harm the body. | Allergies: Some people may be allergic to the adhesive in the pads. |
| Ability to reduce medication: This can help some people reduce the amount of painkillers they take. ( But don't reduce the medication without asking your doctor. ) | Discomfort: Some people don't like the tickling sensation. |
| Portability: This machine is small so you can take it anywhere. | Skin burns: Very rarely, the skin where the pads were applied may burn (especially if applied too vigorously). |
| Successful for many: This is an effective way to reduce pain for many people. | Not for everyone: Some people do not get pain relief from this method. |
When do you need to see a doctor?
Although TENS is generally a safe method, if you experience any of these symptoms during or after treatment, stop using the machine and tell your doctor immediately.
- Skin rash or redness
- Unbearable itching (pruritus) at the treatment site
- Dizziness
- Headache
- If you feel nauseous
So, does TENS really work? What is the final conclusion?
This is the question that many people have. Does TENS really work? Or is it just a fantasy?
To be honest, the results of scientific research on this are mixed. Some studies clearly show that it is an effective way to reduce pain for many people. However, other studies suggest that the benefits may be psychological (the placebo effect). That is, the feeling of pain relief simply because you think you are "getting treatment."
The success of this often depends on several factors, such as your medical condition, the location of the electrode pads, and the settings on the machine.
However, the most important thing is that TENS is a safe treatment method with no serious side effects. Therefore, if you suffer from chronic pain, it is worth talking to your doctor about this. He or she will examine your condition and guide you on whether it is suitable for you and how to use it correctly.
Take-Home Message
- TENS is a safe, non-invasive treatment that relieves pain by delivering a very small electrical current through the skin.
- This reduces pain either by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain or by producing the body's own natural painkillers (endorphins).
- Never use a TENS machine without consulting your doctor. Your doctor will tell you if it is right for you and where to place the pads.
- TENS should never be used on specific individuals such as pregnant mothers, those with pacemakers, and areas such as the neck, eyes, and injured skin.
- If you experience side effects such as skin irritation or dizziness during treatment, discontinue use immediately and inform your doctor.
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