TENS Therapy PDF
Preview TENS Therapy
STIM, TENS & TENS/EMS INSTRUCTION BOOKLET A Practical Guide to TENS Therapy INDEX 1) INTRODUCTION 2 Explanation of Pain What is TENS How Does TENS Work What Can TENS be used for How is TENS used Electrode Positioning Cautions & Contra-Indications 2) PROGRAMMES 3) PREPARING YOUR TENS Neck Back Shoulder Elbow Arm, Hand and Wrist Groin Quadriceps Knee & Ankle Sciatic Pain General Pain Treatment with BURST Head Phantom Pain 3) REFERENCES INTRODUCTION TENS TherapyA Practical Guide EXPLANATION OF PAIN blocking pain signals to the brain via the spinal cord TENs works by a method called pain gating where 3 Pain is a warning system and the body’s method of and peripheral nervous system, and also stimulates the stimulation of the TENs machine blocks the telling us that something is wrong. Pain is the production of endorphins, the body’s own pain messages to the brain telling it the body is important; without it abnormal conditions may go relieving mechanism. Usually the electrodes are experiencing pain. It also encourages the brain to undetected , causing damage or injury to vital parts placed around the pain area or on acupressure produce the bodies own natural painkilling of our bodies. Even though pain is a necessary points. hormones known as endorphins. warning signal of trauma or malfunction in the ARE THERE ANY DANGERS OR body, nature may have gone too far in its design. Unlike medication, TENS does not produce side SIDE-EFFECTS WITH T.E.N.S.? Aside from its value in diagnosis, long-lasting effects such as nausea or drowsiness. It can be persistent pain serves no useful purpose. Pain does administered while the client is going about Remember, the current travels through the skin not begin until a coded message travels to the normal activity and is not addictive. between pairs of electrodes and only penetrates to brain where it is decoded, analysed, and then a depth of 1-2 inches (to the level of the underlying HOW DOES TENS WORK? reacted to. The pain message travels from the nerve fibres). Such a small electrical current does injured area along the small nerves leading to the The TENs Machine can work in two ways but firstly not pose any danger. However, if you have a spinal cord. Here the message is switched to it is important to understand how the body feels cardiac condition, a pacemaker different nerves that travel up the spinal cord to the pain. Messages are sent from the brain to all areas or are pregnant, consult your brain. The pain message is then interpreted, of the body and back again by the nerves, which doctor before using your TENS. referred back and the pain is felt. run from the brain down the spinal cord spreading For any conditions requiring out to the trunk, arms and legs. If you touch electrode placement around WHAT IS TENS? something hot a message will flash along the the neck or head a health care Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a nerves, up the spinal cord and into the brain. A professional should be consulted. battery powered electrical unit which uses second message would immediately be sent back electrodes placed onto the skin to deliver electrical to the same area telling you to move your hand impulses to the nerve fibres which lie underneath away. This process takes only a fraction of a the skin surface. It is used to provide pain relief by second. 01457 860444 01457 860555 www.physiomedhomecare.co.uk [email protected] INTRODUCTION WHAT CAN TENS BE USED FOR? 4 the TENS signal is perceived as stronger than the nerves to the brain. Often this type of treatment TENS can be used to treat most types of pain where pain signal being produced by the body, it can take longer to be effective but the results last the cause has been determined including: effectively blocks the pain signal from travelling longer. along nerves to the brain. Most clients find that nerves to the brain. Often this type of treatment Arthritis • Back Pain • Bruising high-frequency treatments produce the quickest can take longer to be effective but the results last Calf Strain • Dead Leg • Fibrositis Finger relief from pain, as well as providing several hours longer. Pain • Headaches Migraines of relief after the treatment. POSITION OF THE ELECTRODES Knee Pain • Lumbago Muscle Stress • Neck Pain • Neuralgia Treatment duration - 30 - 60 Best results are achieved by placing the electrodes Osteo-arthritis • Period Pains minutes, or continuous if directly over the pain site. With dual machines, Post Herpatic Neuralgia required. Most modern units additional electrodes can be positioned to surround Pregnancy/Labour Pains are portable and can be the site. Electrodes can also be used to stimulate Rheumatism • Sciatica clipped to the belt while going traditional acupressure points if required. Shoulder Pain • Sleeplessness about normal activities. HOW DO I KNOW IT’S TIME TO Spondylosis • Sports Injuries REPLACE MY ELECTRODES? Tennis Elbow • Tenosynovitis Low-frequency or burst type of treatment is Wrist Pain produced when the Pulse Rate setting on the TENS It is very important that the self-adhesive unit is set manually below 10 pulses per second (or electrodes (pads) be replaced when they no longer HOW IS IT USED? as with some units, at automatic burst mode. Low- stick well or if you begin to The Standard TENS treatment frequency treatments produce visible muscle feel a “stinging” sensation on (convention or high frequency twitching often described as a tapping or pulsating your skin. The usual life-span settings) is performed when the sensation. In reaction to this type of stimulation is approximately 3-6 weeks, Pulse Rate is set to 60 pulses the body releases endorphins (pain-killing depending on skin type and per second or more. The chemicals produced naturally in the body). These weather conditions— sensation produced will be a steady buzzing or endorphins act as a chemical nerve block to reduce humidity will effect how long they last. tingling feeling between the electrodes. Because pain by interrupting the pain signals along the TENS TherapyA Practical Guide CAUTIONS WARNINGS Although most of these pre- 5 gelled reusable electrodes are 1. Read operation manual before use of TENS. 1. Caution should be used in applying TENS to considered hypoallergenic, in 2. We emphasize that patient with an implanted patients suspected of having heart disease. some cases people with electronic device (for example, a pacemaker) Further clinical data is needed to show there sensitive skin may develop an should not undergo TENS treatment without are no adverse results. allergy to a particular type of electrode, just like first consulting a doctor. The same applies to 2. Electrical stimulation safety has not been some people who are allergic to certain band-aids patients with any metallic implants. established during pregnancy. Do not use or tapes. One solution is to change the electrode 3. If TENS therapy becomes ineffective or TENS during pregnancy. and there are also products available to help act as unpleasant, stimulation should be 3. Do not place electrodes on the front of the a skin “barrier” in these situations. discontinued until its use is re-evaluated by throat as spasm of the Laryngeal and the physician or therapist. Pharyngeal muscle may occur. Do not 4. Avoid adjusting controls while operating stimulate over the carotid nerve, particularly machinery or vehicles. with patients with known sinus reflex 5. Turn the T.E.N.S off before applying or sensitivity. removing electrodes. 4. Care should be taken so that when operating 6. Series 3 T.E.N.S. devices have no AP/APG potentially dangerous machinery the protection. Do not use it in the presence of stimulator controls are not changed abruptly. explosive atmosphere and flammable 5. Cases of skin irritation at the electrode site mixture. have been reported. Stimulation should be stopped and electrodes removed until the cause of the irritation can be determined. 6. Electrodes should not be placed over the eyes, in the mouth, or internally. PLEASE NOTE!! Before using your TENS Machine, or for further information on 7. Keep this device out of the reach of children. its operation. Please read the manufacturers instructions carefully. 01457 860444 01457 860555 www.physiomedhomecare.co.uk [email protected] PROGRAMMES/SETTINGS CONVENTIONAL MODULATION BURST 6 Suitable for pain relief. The Therapy consists of Stimulation pulses vary for both pulse width and Stimulation form consisting of short series of pulses short electrical pulses where the stimulation may stimulation current. The variation is random and with high frequency that are repeated with low never be so strong that any muscle contractions built up as: pulse width multiplied by stimulation frequency. BURST stimulation is used for general occur. Electrodes are usually placed on the nerve current being constant. This modulated TENS pain relief and stimulation must be so strong that paths around the pain site. prevents any habituation to a set pulse width and muscle contraction is perceived. In general terms TENS stimulation can be used for pain therapy for has the following variables: frequency, pulse width the electrode is placed on a large muscle near the the following: and treatment time. pain location. BURST has the following variables: frequency, pulse width and treatment time. Muscle pain • arthralgia Modulated TENS stimulation can be used for pain tennis elbow • arthritis therapy as mentioned for conventional mode. The effect of the stimulation has to be strong to osteoarthritis • gout However, for chronic conditions where long-term achieve visible muscle movement; the muscle fibromyalgie • tenosynovitis treatment is required modulated TENS is tension will be affected an forced to movement. A capal tunne hip • and back pain recommendable. long-cycle pain relief is given with BURST muscle tension(myalgia) stimulation due to the fact that the body increases sinusitis • neuritis etc. its own production of the natural painkillers, the endorphins. BURST stimulation can be used for relief of radiating pain such as... Sciatic pain • back pain • scleroses tinnitus • circulatory disturbances whiplash etc. PREPARING YOUR TENS TENS TherapyA Practical Guide PREPARING YOUR TENS 7 1. Retract the sliding lid. Insert the battery and replace the lid. 1 2 3 2. Lift protective cover (1 and 2) and connect the lead wires to the output channels on the device. 3. Connect the lead wires to the electrodes. 4. Clean the skin. Remove the plastic cover from the electrodes before attaching to 4 5 the skin. The electrodes must not touch each other. 5. Switch on the TENS Machine by turningthe on/off button clockwise. 6. Choose programme and adjust the 6 7 stimulation level. 7. The stimulation automatically stops when treatment time expires. 01457 860444 01457 860555 www.physiomedhomecare.co.uk [email protected] ELECTRODES PLACEMENT - NECK 8 NECK Muscle tension in shoulder & neck cervical syndrome INDICATIONS: • Rheumatism • Whiplash • Slipped disk • Cervical strain • Head ache • Arthritis ELECTRODES PLACEMENT - BACK TENS TherapyA Practical Guide 9 BACK INDICATIONS: • Back pain • Scolisosis • BWS syndrome • Bilateral radiation • Dysmenorrhoea • Labour pain 1 stomach (page 18) 2 • Slipped disk 1) Back pain & muscle insufficiency 2) Lower back pain & dysmenorrhoea If reinforcement of muscles is needed, use TENS on The area above Os Sacrum is a junction of the both channels. In order to get the movements try sensory nerve pathway for the lower back and the treatment for the stomach. abdomen. 01457 860444 01457 860555 www.physiomedhomecare.co.uk [email protected] ELECTRODES PLACEMENT - SHOULDER 2 10 SHOULDER INDICATIONS: • Rheumatism 1 • Subluxation • Shoulder dislocation • Shoulder sprain • Arthritis • Frozen shoulder If the shoulder feels cold, B is particularly 1) Shoulder Pain beneficially as BURST stimulation increases the 2) Shoulder Subluxation blood circulation.
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