How to use TENS unit for pain relief???
TENS: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation has long been regarded as an effective form of pain relief from a wide range of conditions including arthritis, period pains, and sciatica.
However, to get the most from the treatment, it is important that you use the TENS machine properly and choose a tens machine model that best suits your needs.
As one of the Nashville, TN’s leading suppliers of TENS machines, The Opry Medical Group, recommends its customers to undergo a pain assessment before starting treatment.
This will identify what sort of pain you are suffering from so you can make an informed decision on the best course TENS pain relief treatment.
Once you have done this.
Follow these top 10 tips: How To Use TENS Unit Perfectly for Chronic Pain Relief
Tip #1
Make sure your skin is clean and dry and free from oil and lotion before placing TENS electrode pads on your skin.
Tip #2
Don’t use alcohol to wash your skin as a result of it will cause excessive dryness that would lead to skin irritation or skin burns from the electrode pads.
Tip #3
If you’ve got sensitive skin or you easily break out from lotions, perfumes, or detergents, try a tens electrode pad that’smade with “skin friendly blue gel”.
If the area you would like to treat is hairy, consider using skin friendly blue gel patches that have a thicker “leggier” gel that may create higher skin contact.
Tip #4
You can alter the flow of the electrical sensation if you modify the space between the electrode pads and/or the direction of the pads.
The pads can be placed in one among three directions
- vertical
- horizontal
- diagonally.
Tip #5
Store TENS patches in a cool dry place far from excessive heat and humidness to increase their life.
Tip #6
Keep an additional pack of TENS patches, lead wires, and batteries available.
Most patches have a period of a minimum of one year if sealed and stored properly.
Tip #7
Make sure to turn the knobs all the way off on your tens unit once you are through with your treatment and remove the battery if the unit won’t be used for a month or more.
flip your TENS device off before positioning the patches to avoid a “pinching” sensation once lifting them from the skin
Tip #8
When you notice comfortable treatment from your TENS unit, make note of the settings being used on the device ANd placement of the patches and place those notes within the back of the device’s user manual or in an electronic pad such as your phone or iPad.
Tip #9
Stay hydrated before, during, and after your TENS treatment.
TENS causes your body to unleash endorphins, your body’s natural pain reliever and staying hydrated can facilitate maintain good levels of those beneficial chemicals in your body.
Tip #10
Work with a doctor or physical therapist to achieve the most benefit from your TENS unit.
Check out Opry’s State Of The Art TENS Line Up
Also Read – What Are The Desired Results from At Home TENS Therapy?
Have you used a TENS machine so far, do have any other recommendations for getting the best of the device?
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