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Electric Stimulation for Back Pain

In the United States, back pain is a leading reason why people miss work. It is also the top cause of job disability, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Treatment options for back pain include electrical stimulation.

  1. Back Pain

    • According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, back pain is the second-most common neurological pain disorder in the United States. It can happen anywhere in the back but most commonly occurs in the lower back.

    Causes

    • Back pain can be caused by damage to one of the muscles in your back. A damaged intervertebral disc can put pressure on nerves in your back, which also results in pain.

    Electric Stimulation

    • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, is a form of pain management. In TENS, an electrical power unit transmits electrical stimulation into your back through electrodes placed on your skin near the site of your pain, according to the American Cancer Society.

    Method

    • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation relieves pain by creating nerve impulses that block pain signals traveling to your brain. It might also help stimulate the production of endorphins, which can help relieve pain.

    Complications

    • If you undergo transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for back pain, there is a small chance that you could experience a burn from the electrical current used. If you have a pacemaker or a defibrillator implanted in your body, you should not try electrical stimulation to avoid interfering with those devices.

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