Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy involves the use of low-voltage electric currents to treat pain. Electrodes or mediums for electricity to travel to the body, placed on the body at the site of pain deliver electricity that travels through the nerve fibers. The electric currents block the pain receptors from being sent from the nerves to the brain. Patients receive a small, battery operated TENS machine to use at home.
Electrodes or mediums for electricity to travel to the body, placed on the body at the site of pain deliver electricity that travels through the nerve fibers. The electric currents block the pain receptors from being sent from the nerves to the brain. Patients receive a small, battery operated TENS machine to use at home. What is TENS therapy used to treat?
TENS therapy can be used to treat both chronic (long lasting) and acute (short-term) pain. The most common conditions that TENS therapy is used to treat are:
Osteoporosis-related joint, bone, or muscle problems
Fibromyalgia-related joint, bone, or muscle problems
Tendinitis (muscle tissue inflammation)
Bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled pads that cushion the joints)
Neck pain
Labor pain
Cancer pain
Nerve pain
Head ache
TENS is also used for other purposes, like relaxation and muscle training. If you’re unsure whether or not transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation might be the right treatment for your pain control needs then you can ask your doctor if it might help your condition. It’s especially important to speak to your doctor if you decide to use your TENS unit during pregnancy as there are many risks involved in premature use. This unit is not a toy.
How to use TENS?
The electrodes can then be hooked onto the pin connectors through the end of their wires before the pin connectors are hooked up to the TENS unit. As you’re turning the machine on adjust the knobs very slowly to get started, see what feels right for you, and as the pulses navigate their way to your nerves you’ll feel a tingling sensation, this is normal.
TENS & SKINCARE
TENS and skincare must go hand in hand. It’s important for the electrodes to stay adhesive. When they're not sticking properly to your skin anymore the electric current will be transferring though a smaller surface into your skin than that was intended. This may irritate your skin and feel painful. If you set the program on your TENS too high this could also irritate your skin. Adjust the intensity or usage frequency so it won't irritate your skin anymore. Skincare while using TENS is delicate because you want the electrodes to last as long as possible so you can benefit the most of them but you also want to take care of your skin properly and act on its needs. If you place the electrodes every day on exactly the same place on your skin, your skin can become itchy, blemished and even broken. So experiment to balance out the electrode usage and healthy skin. You could place the electrodes at a slightly different place (just slightly otherwise they won't work as intended), so you can take care of the now bare skin. Or leave the electrodes off for a couple of days so your skin can restore itself and you can support your skin.
The basics:
Use only on clean, dry skin.
Do not use on broken skin.
Single patient use only. Do not share electrodes between users.
Use only according to the directions with your TENS device and/or on the advice of your physician.
Remove electrodes by pulling up on an edge. Do not pull by the lead wires!
Do not use damaged electrodes.
Do not apply electrodes across the head, across the heart or on the front of the neck (throat).
Do not use electrodes for stimulation if you have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator or other implanted metallic or electronic device. Such use could cause electric shock, burns, electrical interference or death.
My electrodes aren't sticky anymore!
The top reasons that electrodes stop being sticky are:
Getting lotions or oils on them. So don't use lotions or oils on your skin where you also stick the electrodes. Also don't use shower oil on that area, regular shower soap is fine. Beware that when you rinse off oily shower products, they don't rinse off over the area where you stick the electrodes. It's the same for haircare products.
Over-hydrated usually through sweat. (The pads are too full of moisture.) The adhesive used on electrodes is water based. If it becomes saturated, it will lose its adhesive qualities. Instead of placing the electrodes on the plastic film before going to bed, try leaving them face up overnight to allow them to dry out. Alternatively, equip yourself with two sets of electrodes and use one set for one day and the other the next.
Over-hydration comes from the pads absorbing a lot of sweat or water. This will often leave them looking very matte (not shiny) with little or no stick to them. This can often be fixed though. If the gel layer on your electrode pads look like they are in good shape but they are matte (not shiny) and do not feel sticky, try this tip: Apply some rubbing alcohol to both pads on the gel side. Rub the pads together. Initially they will feel slippery. Then they'll start to stick together. Once they are sticking together, lay them gel side up and allow them to air dry for a few minutes. Now they should be ready for more use! Note: If this process does not bring back the stickiness (tac) of your electrode pads, you'll need to replace them.
Electrodes are too dry. As the electrode’s adhesive is water based, if they become too dry they can lose their adhesiveness. Make sure you place the electrodes on the correct side of the plastic film before going to bed and put them in the fridge. If the electrodes still look too dry in the morning, try this tip: Wet your fingertip under the tap and go over the gel side of both pads with your fingertip. Once they are sticking, lay them gel side up and allow them to air dry for a few minutes. Now they should be ready for more use! Note: If this process does not bring back the stickiness (tac) of your electrode pads, you'll need to replace them.
Like a piece of tape, self-adhesive electrodes will quickly lose their ability to "stick" if they become covered with sweat, oils, lotions, sunscreen, dirt, etc. from your skin. People with naturally oily skin or those who are sweating while wearing the electrodes will get fewer uses because of this.
Always thoroughly clean and dry your skin before using the self-adhesive electrodes in order to get them most life out of them.
You should always sterilize and properly clean the area where your electrode pads will be placed so that they stick right; oily or greasy skin may also cause the electric pulses to be weaker. I use rubbing alcohol for this.
Oily Skin. Try thoroughly cleansing the skin with soap and water then rinse and dry the area well around the electrode sites. If this doesn’t help, try cleansing the skin with impregnated alcohol. As a last resort, hold the electrode in place using a sticky tape such as Micropore.
Hairy Skin. Clip away the hairs around the location of the electrode with scissors. Don’t shave the area!
Extend the electrodes lifetime. Before you go to bed, moisten the adhesive surface with just a few drops of water and place the moistened electrodes on the plastic backing overnight.
Wear and tear. Eventually, your electrodes will wear out and require replacement. You can reasonably expect them to last for 2 days to 12 weeks, depending on your skin type and frequency of use.
The electrodes may be left on your skin if you have another TENS treatment soon. If not remove the electrodes. Wash the skin where the electrodes were placed.
Get new electrodes if the electrodes become damaged or will not stay stick to the skin.
Do not try to stick an electrode in an area that you have trouble reaching; instead get help so that they are placed correctly.
Try different kind of electrodes. Electrodes are made in all kinds of varieties. Find out what the best kind is for you. For oily skin or when you place the electrodes on a difficult to reach area I would recommend waterproof electrodes. These you can leave on for multiple days and shower with.
TENS & CLOTHES
Always wear it safe! If you put it in the pocket of your jeans it's possible that the intensity wheel moves when you walk, resulting in an increased of decreased intensity. I have a clip so I can put it on my T-shirt.
Wear strapless bras if the straps are near the electrodes. When moving the straps can peel of the electrodes, causing them to move or get loose.
Try out at what moment of putting on your clothes you should put on the electrodes. It can make a difference on how they stick onto your skin at the right place.
Different types of TENS devices
The main difference between TENS devices is the technology. The 'older' devices work on batteries and you have to set all parameters according to the different programs. These devices are often quite big. The 'newer' devices have a battery you can charge, like your smartphone. They are smaller and connected to an app on your phone. In the app are multiple predefined programs you can select. Your preferences are send via Bluetooth to your TENS device. Which type of device is best for you is completely up to your preferences. I like the device from Bluetens as it is small so I can wear it out of sight. And I use my smartphone often anyways, so I set my preferences via the app.
This is all from personal experiences, and won't guarantee that this is the best option for you. Every person is different and react different to influences, products and treatments.
Sources:
https://www.tensunitdepot.com/how-to-properly-use-a-tens-unit.php https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15840-transcutaneous-electrical-nerve-stimulation-tens
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