What is TENS Treatment?
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, or TENS, is a treatment modality that utilizes electrical currents to help provide pain relief. The TENS machine transmits electrical currents through electrodes attached to the skin of the injured area where the pain is occurring. Once the electrical current makes its way into the body, it then stimulates the nerve fibers in the injured area that can help to alleviate some of the pain that the individual may be suffering from. TENS is a very popular treatment choice throughout the sports medicine community when it comes to providing pain relief to someone who may be suffering from an acute injury.
TENS Treatment Benefits
- Reduces Swelling
- Relieves pain associated with acute injuries
- Helps speed up the heeling process
How do you apply TENS?
- Electrode patches should be positioned around the site of injury
- Frequency range should remain between 90-130 Hz
- Intensity between 75-100 MA
- Pulsing of electrodes can be used multiple ways
- TENS should only be used for 10-15 minutes at a time
Don’t Use TENS if...
- If you are allergic to the electrodes or gel used in this process
- If you have an implanted pacemaker
- If pregnant
- In or around your reproductive organs
- If you have skin condition
- If you have exposed tissue