Pain Relief Without Drugs
By Bill Morrison, Thu Dec 8th
More and more people are turning to small compact electronicdevices like TENs machines to bring them pain relief withouthaving to depend on drugs that can often have unwanted sideeffects. These small digital machines can be worn unobtrusivelywhile carrying out normal day to day activities. What is TENs, how does it work and what sort of pain relief canit be used for? TENs stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulationwhere transcutaneous means through the skin. A TENs machineproduces small electrical impulses which are transmitted fromthe machine through the skin by means of a wire connected to asmall conductive patch which is placed on the skin.
TENs machines are believed to work in a two ways. The smallelectrical signal they transmit blocks pain signals from thebody's sensory nerves to the brain resulting in pain relief. Thesignals generated by the TENs machines can also encourage yourbody to release endorphins, natures own pain relieving "feelgood" hormone. A study in Sweden showed that backache is one type of pain whichwas best treated with the use of TENS machines. It also showedthat TENS machines were the only painkillers required by 70 percent of women in labour. More recently some TENs machines are available with anelectrical probe which can be used to stimulate acupuncturepoints to bring pain relief. While almost all TENs machines havecautions about placing the electrode pads on the head and neckthese "accu TENs" machines will permit users to stimulate theaccu points or "channels" elsewhere on the body to bring reliefto head or neck pain. Placement of electrode pads is allimportant for effective pain relief. Usually the pads are placedclose to the source of the pain particularly with muscle pain orjoint pain. In the case of sciatic nerve pain the electrode padsare likely to be placed either side of the spinal column and thetop part of the affected leg. Your health care provider shouldadvise on the best point to place the pads for optimum painrelief. Correct placement is very important and sometimes
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<!--paging_filter--><p>1,727 persons have died during drug trials between 2007 and 2010, says public interest petition</p>
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maytake a little trial and error with careful reference to themanufactures guidelines. Pads should never be placed near theeyes or over the nerves from the neck to the throat or brain.Most TENs machines have three main program modes, Conventional(some machines may refer to this as Normal or Constant}, Burstand Modulation. Each mode has subtle differences in the effectthey have. Usually a combination of these modes will work bestto provide maximum short and long term pain relief. With theTENs machine set to the Conventional mode (frequency between 90and 120Hz and pulse width between 80uS and 200uS) the painrelief tends to be short lasting after the machine is switchedoff. To obtain longer lasting pain relief you should choose aBurst mode, or select a lo-rate TENs program (usually between2Hz to 5Hz with a pulse width close to 200uS). The burst or "loTENs" mode encourages the release of endorphins and gives longerlasting pain relief. All TENs machine will allow you to controlthe level of electrical signal and once again it is import toset the machine to the optimum setting. If you set the level toohigh your muscles may start to twitch. You should adjust theTENs machine to a level where you can just feel a slighttingling sensation. TENS machines should only be used on theadvice of a doctor or other health professionals. They may notbe suitable for all types of pain or all conditions. Alwaysfollow the manufactures instructions supplied with the machine.TENS machines should never be used by people who have apacemaker or have heart problems. Pregnant women should avoidusing TENs machines as the affects on the unborn baby are notknown. Never place TENs electrodes on your head or neck. The programs and settings I use personally are listed on Low backpain and sciatica
About the author:Bill Morrison has his own website http://www.help4urback.comwhere he describes his own personal experiences and how he useshis TENs machine to provide pain relief. He also includespersonal recommendations for people who suffer from sciatica orlower back pain on what books to buy and what web sites to checkout.
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