Difference between revisions of "Place Electrodes for a Tens Unit"
(importing article from wikihow) |
m (Update ref tag) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | TENS stands for "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation." This is a pain management technique in which small electrodes are placed on the skin and used to administer low intensity, rapid electrical pulses. The electricity is thought to block the pain signals pathways traveling to your brain and also to cause your body to reduce your pain by releasing chemicals called endorphins. The pulses, if slow and strong enough, can cause noticeable, involuntary muscular flexing, "contracting and relaxing." The faster pulses can be more like rubbing/quivering. Whether it is effective or not for pain management is currently under scientific study, but some people report that it helps reduce their pains.<ref>http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/tens/Pages/Introduction.aspx</ref> It is important you understand where it is safe to use the electrodes on your body and when you should avoid using TENS at all (like if you have a heart pacemaker, defibrillator or heart monitoring device). | + | TENS stands for "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation." This is a pain management technique in which small electrodes are placed on the skin and used to administer low intensity, rapid electrical pulses. The electricity is thought to block the pain signals pathways traveling to your brain and also to cause your body to reduce your pain by releasing chemicals called endorphins. The pulses, if slow and strong enough, can cause noticeable, involuntary muscular flexing, "contracting and relaxing." The faster pulses can be more like rubbing/quivering. Whether it is effective or not for pain management is currently under scientific study, but some people report that it helps reduce their pains.<ref name="rf1">http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/tens/Pages/Introduction.aspx</ref> It is important you understand where it is safe to use the electrodes on your body and when you should avoid using TENS at all (like if you have a heart pacemaker, defibrillator or heart monitoring device). |
[[Category:Pain Management and Recovery]] | [[Category:Pain Management and Recovery]] | ||
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
=== Placing the Electrodes Safely=== | === Placing the Electrodes Safely=== | ||
| − | #Try starting with the lowest settings. Then increase them to an effective setting. See a physiotherapist to get help adjusting the settings. This will reduce the likelihood of your using a setting that is too high or too low. Ask about common massage points useful for relaxation on your body. The physiotherapist will have experience and will be able to advise you as to what is best for your condition and what to avoid.<ref | + | #Try starting with the lowest settings. Then increase them to an effective setting. See a physiotherapist to get help adjusting the settings. This will reduce the likelihood of your using a setting that is too high or too low. Ask about common massage points useful for relaxation on your body. The physiotherapist will have experience and will be able to advise you as to what is best for your condition and what to avoid.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* To relieve your personal pains find the pain points with finger tips and apply electrode pads around there. | #* To relieve your personal pains find the pain points with finger tips and apply electrode pads around there. | ||
#* The better settings are different for each person, depending upon how sensitive you are and what your condition is. The body gets resistant to a unit that has only one pattern of electro "tapping". Some have a random pattern. | #* The better settings are different for each person, depending upon how sensitive you are and what your condition is. The body gets resistant to a unit that has only one pattern of electro "tapping". Some have a random pattern. | ||
| − | #Place the electrodes at least an inch apart. This will prevent you from having too much electricity delivered to too small an area.Turn the TENS device off while you are adjusting the electrodes. You can arrange the electrodes in several ways, depending on what works best for you:<ref | + | #Place the electrodes at least an inch apart. This will prevent you from having too much electricity delivered to too small an area.Turn the TENS device off while you are adjusting the electrodes. You can arrange the electrodes in several ways, depending on what works best for you:<ref name="rf1" /><ref name="rf2">http://www.zewa.com/education/files/TENS-and-Electrodes-Guide.pdf</ref> |
#* Around the area that hurts or over acupuncture points that the physiotherapist can show you on a chart. | #* Around the area that hurts or over acupuncture points that the physiotherapist can show you on a chart. | ||
#** If the electrodes are colored red and black, you want to position the black electrodes farther from your trunk or torso, such as on your arms or legs, and the red electrodes should be closer to your torso. This will help prevent unpleasant impulses from going to your central nervous system. It will also stimulate muscle contractions. | #** If the electrodes are colored red and black, you want to position the black electrodes farther from your trunk or torso, such as on your arms or legs, and the red electrodes should be closer to your torso. This will help prevent unpleasant impulses from going to your central nervous system. It will also stimulate muscle contractions. | ||
#* You can arrange the electrodes in lines, in X formations, or in squares, but they must be at one inch or farther apart. To make an X, place one pair of matched negative and positive electrodes for one diagonal and another pair for the crossing angle. | #* You can arrange the electrodes in lines, in X formations, or in squares, but they must be at one inch or farther apart. To make an X, place one pair of matched negative and positive electrodes for one diagonal and another pair for the crossing angle. | ||
| − | #Adjust the amount of electricity slowly, gradually and carefully. Start with the machine off, then turn it on when the dial is at its lowest setting.<ref | + | #Adjust the amount of electricity slowly, gradually and carefully. Start with the machine off, then turn it on when the dial is at its lowest setting.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Slowly raise the electrical current until you feel a pleasant tingling feeling. If it hurts, then the current is too high. | #* Slowly raise the electrical current until you feel a pleasant tingling feeling. If it hurts, then the current is too high. | ||
#* More is not necessarily better. Turning it up too high will not increase the amount of pain relief. | #* More is not necessarily better. Turning it up too high will not increase the amount of pain relief. | ||
#* Your body may get used to the effect of a certain level of current after a while. If this happens to you, slowly increase the current slightly. | #* Your body may get used to the effect of a certain level of current after a while. If this happens to you, slowly increase the current slightly. | ||
| − | #Remember the setting that works for you. Once you know how much electricity is beneficial for you and where to put the electrodes, keep using that setting.<ref | + | #Remember the setting that works for you. Once you know how much electricity is beneficial for you and where to put the electrodes, keep using that setting.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*This doesn't necessarily mean ''starting'' at that setting, which might be painful. Start out with a low number, then increase it slightly until you get to your preferred setting. | #*This doesn't necessarily mean ''starting'' at that setting, which might be painful. Start out with a low number, then increase it slightly until you get to your preferred setting. | ||
#* You can use TENS as long or as often as you want. If you use it for long periods of time, while doing other things, you can clip it to your belt or keep it in your pocket. | #* You can use TENS as long or as often as you want. If you use it for long periods of time, while doing other things, you can clip it to your belt or keep it in your pocket. | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
===Knowing What Not to Do=== | ===Knowing What Not to Do=== | ||
| − | #Do not place the electrodes on areas of the body which could harm you. You should not apply electricity to areas that are close to your heart or that are likely to be particularly sensitive. Keep them away from your:<ref | + | #Do not place the electrodes on areas of the body which could harm you. You should not apply electricity to areas that are close to your heart or that are likely to be particularly sensitive. Keep them away from your:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Temples | #* Temples | ||
#* Mouth | #* Mouth | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
#* Broken skin or a new scar that is still healing | #* Broken skin or a new scar that is still healing | ||
#* Areas that are numb | #* Areas that are numb | ||
| − | #Do not use TENS at all anywhere on your body if you have a condition that makes it unsafe for you. Some health conditions make using TENS risky.<ref | + | #Do not use TENS at all anywhere on your body if you have a condition that makes it unsafe for you. Some health conditions make using TENS risky.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* If you have a pacemaker or another electrical device in your body, the electrical impulses could interfere with these devices or their signals, or cause a failure. | #* If you have a pacemaker or another electrical device in your body, the electrical impulses could interfere with these devices or their signals, or cause a failure. | ||
#* If you have epilepsy, you may be more sensitive and it is better not to use TENS. | #* If you have epilepsy, you may be more sensitive and it is better not to use TENS. | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
#* If you are pregnant or might be pregnant, do not use TENS without it being prescribed. The risks of using TENS during pregnancy aren’t known, so do not use it without consulting your doctor. Some women find it helpful for pain relief during labor pains, but be sure to ask your doctor whether it is safe for you and your baby before using it. | #* If you are pregnant or might be pregnant, do not use TENS without it being prescribed. The risks of using TENS during pregnancy aren’t known, so do not use it without consulting your doctor. Some women find it helpful for pain relief during labor pains, but be sure to ask your doctor whether it is safe for you and your baby before using it. | ||
#* If you are unsure whether TENS is safe for you, consult your doctor. | #* If you are unsure whether TENS is safe for you, consult your doctor. | ||
| − | #Do not use TENS while you are engaged in certain activities. These activities make using TENS more risky.<ref | + | #Do not use TENS while you are engaged in certain activities. These activities make using TENS more risky.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* If you are in the bath, shower, or swimming pool, the water will change how and where the electricity is conducted. | #* If you are in the bath, shower, or swimming pool, the water will change how and where the electricity is conducted. | ||
#*Do not use TENS while you are sleeping. | #*Do not use TENS while you are sleeping. | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
===Keeping your Expectations Realistic=== | ===Keeping your Expectations Realistic=== | ||
| − | #Reduce disappointment by knowing what to expect. TENS usually doesn’t work immediately, so you may need to be patient.<ref | + | #Reduce disappointment by knowing what to expect. TENS usually doesn’t work immediately, so you may need to be patient.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Some people find that it takes about 40 minutes of use before their pain subsides. | #* Some people find that it takes about 40 minutes of use before their pain subsides. | ||
#* Most people only experience pain relief while using TENS. When you switch it off, your pain may return. | #* Most people only experience pain relief while using TENS. When you switch it off, your pain may return. | ||
#*If the TENS loses its effectiveness, it’s important to make an appointment with your physiotherapist to learn how to change up the settings. This can help in finding the right settings for your specific condition. | #*If the TENS loses its effectiveness, it’s important to make an appointment with your physiotherapist to learn how to change up the settings. This can help in finding the right settings for your specific condition. | ||
| − | #Learn about what conditions TENS is most likely to help. TENS is generally most beneficial for people experiencing pain and / or muscle spasms in certain areas of the body or for certain problems:<ref | + | #Learn about what conditions TENS is most likely to help. TENS is generally most beneficial for people experiencing pain and / or muscle spasms in certain areas of the body or for certain problems:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Back | #* Back | ||
#* Knees | #* Knees | ||
| Line 60: | Line 60: | ||
#* Sports injuries | #* Sports injuries | ||
#* Arthritis | #* Arthritis | ||
| − | #Maximize the benefits by pairing TENS with other pain management techniques. While people who can’t take pain medications often find it very helpful, you are most likely to get relief if you use TENS and other methods of pain reduction. TENS can complement:<ref | + | #Maximize the benefits by pairing TENS with other pain management techniques. While people who can’t take pain medications often find it very helpful, you are most likely to get relief if you use TENS and other methods of pain reduction. TENS can complement:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Medication. This includes prescription strength or over-the-counter medications. | #* Medication. This includes prescription strength or over-the-counter medications. | ||
#* Exercise. Ask your doctor what forms of exercise he or she recommends for your condition. | #* Exercise. Ask your doctor what forms of exercise he or she recommends for your condition. | ||
