TENS Machine Treatment

A TENS machine is a form of alternative therapy sometimes described as an electronic massage. It is an FDA-approved device that administers a form of electronic impulses to the body. The therapy, called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), uses low-voltage electrical current to interrupt pain impulses. Supporters of TENS machines suggest that the machine is useful to treat pain related to various acute and chronic conditions, and there is some limited medical endorsement of these claims.

History

• The TENS machine first became a popular and widely accepted form of therapy in the United States in the 1970s. It was based on a theory developed in 1965 by Dr. Ronald Melzac and Dr. Patrick Wall. Because nerves in the spine and spinal cord cause much of the pain associated with various conditions, Melzac and Wall believed that by using electronic stimulation to block nerves in the spinal cord from experiencing pain, general pain relief could be achieved. This premise was the precursor to the TENS machine, which uses these electrical impulses to essentially interrupt and stop the pain reaction of spinal nerves.

Purpose

• Alternative practitioners, including physical therapists who offer TENS machine treatments, suggest that it is useful for relieving pain. The treatment is specifically recommended for those experiencing pain related to surgery, migraines, sports injury, arthritis, tendinitis, childbirth and cancer. The American Cancer Society makes clear that most of the people who believe in the pain-relieving prospects of a TENS machine do not believe that the machine treats or cures the underlying condition, just that it treats the pain. The exact reason for the device's effect on pain is unclear, although the American Cancer Society states that some believe the TENS machine stimulates the production of endorphins, which serve as our bodies' natural pain relievers.

Medical Support

• According to the American Cancer Society, there is no evidence to indicate that TENS machine treatment is useful as a long-term method of pain relief. However, the ACS sites several clinical studies which demonstrate that it has a limited use in temporary pain relief associated with various conditions. However, other alternative therapies such as acupuncture may be more effective at managing lower back pain, and the ACS states that most clinical studies have suggested that the TENS machine is not effective at relieving pain associated with surgery or childbirth.

Method of Treatment

• The TENS machine can be administered by a medical practitioner or a physical therapist. A person can also obtain a home TENS machine with a prescription. Although there are over 100 different types on the market that have been approved by the FDA, they generally all work in the same manner. Electrodes are attached with wires to the machine itself, which delivers a low-voltage electrical current. The electrodes are then attached to the body, and the current travels from the machine through the wires to the body. The electrodes on the body are attached near the site of pain, and when the electrical impulse is administered, the patient may feel warmth or tingling. This treatment can last for anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes and can be repeated as frequently as necessary to achieve the desired pain relief.

Risks

• According to the American Cancer Society, there are few risks associated with TENS machine treatment, as long as you do not delay conventional medical treatment in favor of the use of a TENS machine. However, if the machine is used improperly, it can have adverse effects. Electrodes should not be attached over the heart or eyes, over the brain, or on the front of the throat. The voltage should not be too intense, or a surface burn may appear on the skin. Finally, those with a heart condition, a defibrillator and/or an infusion pump should refrain from using the TENS machine.