TENS for Pain Relief
Welcome! Hopefully you are joining us after watching our Facebook video on TENS and if you are not, I would encourage you to head there to check it out (@shiftptwell)!
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. We utilize TENS in physical therapy to help with pain relief. As you might have watched in the video, TENS can be used on multiple areas of the body. With that said, it is really important that you see your physical therapist to determine if TENS is right for you. Although TENS is safe for many people, there are some instances in which TENS would not be appropriate.
In this article, we answer your questions when it comes to TENS, and how it actually works to help relieve pain.
How does TENS work to relieve pain?
TENS sends electrical impulses through the skin to the brain. When the brain receives these impulses it helps the body release “feel good” chemicals that act as our bodies natural pain killers. The sensation of the electrical impulses also trigger the body to receive a new sensation other than the pain to help change the perception of what you are feeling.
How long does the pain relief last?
Unfortunately there is not a straight forward answer for this. The length of pain relief is different for each individual and the condition they are using TENS for. Some people experience relief during application, some experience relief for hours to days after application.
Can I use TENS at home?
The answer to this question is also tricky! One of the many reasons why we like to use TENS in physical therapy is because it is a tool that patients can purchase to self manage their pain at home. However, you should not use TENS at home if you have not consulted your physical therapist. There are some instances in which TENS would not be safe to use.
Why should I see a physical therapist before I use TENS?
Your physical therapist will help to determine if TENS is the right treatment option for you. There are instances in which TENS would not be appropriate. If TENS is an appropriate treatment for you, your physical therapist will be able to trial the treatment in the clinic prior to you needing to purchase one for at home. This will save you money.
Your physical therapist will also show you where to place the electrodes and what parameters to set the unit to in order to get the most effective use out of the treatment.
What does TENS feel like?
TENS is best described as feeling a buzzing or tingling-like sensation on the skin where the electrodes are placed.
We hope you found this article helpful. If you have any more questions regarding TENS or physical therapy, please reach out! We are here to help.
Phone: (763) 645 - 1113
Email: info@shiftptwell.com
Written by: Jackie Giese, Physical Therapist Assistant
