Where To Put A Tens Unit For Neck Pain

Where To Put A Tens Unit For Neck Pain

Where To Put A Tens Unit For Neck Pain

Using Tens Unit On Neck Is It Safe

How to Use a TENS Unit With Neck Pain. Correct Pad Placement

When used with care and precaution, using a TENS unit on the neck can be a safe and effective solution for managing pain.

The neck is an essential part of human anatomy. It is the flexible connection joint between the 5kg massive head and the torso. Apart from being strong, it has to be flexible enough to enable lots of movement. Comprised of bones , strong muscles, and ligaments it is well equipped to handle the stress and strain.

Loss Of Muscular Control

In almost all cases, TENS therapy can be applied throughout the day. The discrete, small machines can be placed underneath the shirt so that TENS can be applied during work, athletic activities or at home while relaxing. However, there is a small chance that while TENS is being applied, it will affect the way you feel and move your muscles. Because of this, do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery while using TENS.

Tens Settings For Hertz And Frequency

The following settings for pain relief in hertz are recommended as follows:

Acute Pain 80 120Hz.

Moderate Pain 35 50Hz.

Chronic Pain 2 10Hz.

The 2 10Hz thats recommended for chronic pain relief will stimulate endorphin production from your brain. While the 35 50Hz range is typically used to relax and strengthen muscles.

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What Exactly Does A Tens Unit Do

A Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS therapy uses a low voltage electrical current to manage pain. A TENS unit consists of a battery-powered device that delivers pulses of electricity through electrodes placed on the skin surface. These electrodes are usually placed at key locations:

• At or near nerves where the pain is located
• At trigger points

• A TENS unit is generally safe. This treatment is nonpharmacological, noninvasive, inexpensive, and easy to use.

  This device produces different effects on the body. The use of a low frequency of less than 10 Hz with high intensity is used to produce muscle contractions. On the other hand, less than 50 Hz is used with low-intensity stimulation to produce paresthesia or tingling without muscle contractions.

  Why can’t I move my neck without it hurting?

  A joint or nerve issue is usually the cause of intense pain. A nerve may be pinched, stretched, or compressed thereby causing pain. Or, the nerve may be irritated by chemicals produced by inflammation. To protect a pinched nerve, the brain signals the body to produce muscle spams, preventing the person from moving the head in case of neck pain or back pain.

  The Setting Of Tens Unit On Neck

  

  Place the pads securely on the affected parts, connect them to the unit. Put on the unit and set it at the lowest level. A slight tingling may be felt at the neck. Gradually increase it little until you feel strong impulses in the affected area.

  Reduce the setting, if muscle twitches or feeling too hot. Set it at a comfortable level. Therapy can last for 30 -45 minutes or until the relief is experienced.

  Suggested setting

  Pulse width: 150 microseconds.

  Are TENS safe on the neck?

  The use of TENS on the neck is perfectly safe. However, you should exercise the following precautions or care.

  The TENS should not be used if

• Someone suffers from cancer
• The person has a pacemaker or any other electrical/electronic or metallic implant in the body.
• The person is diabetic

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  How Do I Place My Tens Machines Electrode Pads During Labour

  This is actually an extension to how to place the electrode pads for your back and is not really that much different.

  But remember that you should only be using a TENS machine in the early stages of labor.

  NOTE: You may need to take off the TENS pads if your babys heart has to be monitored electronically because the pads could affect the signals to the monitoring machine.

  Follow these steps:

• Place the two or four electrode pads as suggested for lower back pain. Follow the steps under the guidelines of placement as well, and remember If the pads start to lose their stickiness, rub a few drops of water into the gel side of the pads before putting them back on. The more firmly the pads are stuck on, the better theyll work.
• Start with the absolute lowest setting and slowly work your way up, making sure youre not overdoing it.
• Use the boost button at the peak of each contraction. The boost function results in more intense, wave-like tingling or buzzing sensations. Dont forget to the boost button off again when the contraction has ended. This is so you feel the benefit of the boost next time you have a contraction. This works super-great!
• As mentioned above in the expectations management, dont give up just because youre not feeling anything at first. Give it some tweaks and some time and you will most surely find some benefits.
• Dont forget that the electrode pulses are under your control. If you feel any discomfort, just turn it off or lower the intensity!

• Top Tips To Get Relief From Shoulder Pain:

  Shoulder pain treatment involves strengthening muscles and tissues, soothing muscle swelling and irritation. Here are some tips to get relief from shoulder pain.

• Yoga: If you are suffering from minor kinks in the shoulder, you should try some yoga postures. Yoga is an effective drug-free treatment in relieving muscle tension and soreness. Here are some regular Yoga postures for relieving from shoulder pain.

• Animal pose

• Childs pose

• Extended triangle pose

• Exercise: Regular stretching and exercising can make your shoulders strong and flexible. Talk to your physiotherapist to know which exercises you should perform depending on the intensity and type of pain.

  Here are some exercises you should practice to avoid shoulder pain.

• Note: Before starting with exercising, do consult your physiotherapist.

• Tens Unit: TENS unit provides muscle stimulation and relaxation to shoulder muscles. The treatment works the same way as for other parts of the body. Place the electrodes on or near the shoulder area. Adjust the settings to get proper relief.

  You should take additional care while using the TENS unit on the shoulders as they are round and joint.

• Cold Compress: A Cold compress helps reduce swelling in the shoulder. You can apply an ice pack for about 20 minutes for five times in a day. You can also use a cold bag of frozen peas, gel pack, or a pack of ice cubes wrapped in a plastic back. Avoid direct application of the cold pack to the skin.

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  Turning It On And Adjusting The Strength

  Turn on the TENS machine when the pads are attached in the correct places. You’ll feel a slight tingling sensation pass through your skin.

  The machine has a dial that allows you to control the strength of the electrical impulses.

  Start on a low setting and gradually increase it until the sensation feels strong but comfortable. If the tingling sensation starts to feel painful or uncomfortable, reduce it slightly.

  Switch the TENS machine off after you’ve finished using it and remove the electrodes from your skin.

  How Long Does Tens Therapy Pain Relief Last

  Pain Management and Muscle Relaxation with my TENS Unit

  Pain relief from TENS therapy has shown varying results with aid lasting as short as 5 minutes and up to 24 hours. There’s no definite answer as to why this is, but one hypothesis is that pain relief depends on the pain type as well as the level of pain. Acute pain is going to require less treatment compared to more severe and chronic pain types. Tips for consistent pain relief with TENS therapy include continuously using the TENS unit as well as changing the electrode positions and intensity of the treatment.

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  Best Tens Unit For Neck Pain

  Every TENS unit comes with different modes and programs youll be able to use. Several of them only provide pre-defined massage programs however, others can give you the possibility to make your massage program using a combination of their options.

  Having multiple channels or outputs could be a real advantage for each TENS unit. It employs a channel or output to send electrical impulses through 2 conductor pads. Each pair of pads needs its channel, thus having multiple outputs can permit you to use more electrode pairs at a similar time.

  Buying a TENS unit that comes with a guaranty is usually recommended. Once you invest in such a unit, you must be able to use it for a long time, even though some models are low cost.

  Does Tens Therapy For Chronic Neck Pain Management Work

  TENS therapy is the most used treatment for managing chronic and acute neck pain. It may come as a surprise to learn that there have been no conclusive studies on the effectiveness of TENS therapy. However, numerous tests on these devices have shown that they can help in pain management. Patients who use TENS therapy report feeling better after undergoing the treatment. But how long does the pain relief last?

  After a session of TENS therapy, some patients can experience pain relief for up to 24 hours. However, for other patients, pain relief is short-lived. Considering that TENS therapy produces varying results for different patients, its always essential to test the device for your type of pain before buying it. The effectiveness of TENS therapy will mostly depend on the location and the intensity of the pain.

  TENS therapy provides more benefits than any other pain management treatment. It is an all-natural pain relief solution that doesnt come with the side effects of prescription medication. Its a great alternative, especially for individuals seeking to avoid the effects of opioids. TENS therapy also stimulates the release of endorphin hormones, which is the bodys natural pain reliever. TENS therapy is versatile since it can be used for various conditions, including fibromyalgia, back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, diabetic neuropathy, cancer-related pain, chronic fatigue, osteoporosis pain, among others.

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  The Buzz On Tens Units For Back Pain

  • Best Practices for TENS Unit Use

  When your back hurtsand even when it doesntan electric shock is the last thing you want, right? Dont be so sure. As part of a pain reduction regimen, a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit may be a low-cost option for chronic targeted back pain relief.

  TENS units for back pain: buzzworthy or not?

  How To Maintain Your Tens Unit

  

  TENS Unit

  TENS units are designed for repeated use over time without very much maintenance. Still, you should always make sure the unit is not damaged and is working correctly before use. This includes checking the device itself, the electrode cords, and the batteries for leakage. Never try to use a damaged unit.Should you need to clean your TENS unit, turn it off and disconnect and cords beforehand. Use a damp cloth and wipe the surface gently, careful not to get water inside the device. Store the unit in an area that is away from direct sunlight, humidity, or high voltage. If you plan to store it for an extended period, remove the devices batteries to prevent leakage.

  Electrodes

  Most electrodes are reusable and can last up to 5 to 6 months. That said, there are some things you can do to help your electrodes maintain their stickiness and last as long as possible:

  • Clean your skin with soap and water before each use. The skins natural oils can dirty the electrode and make it less sticky.
  • Clean your electrode pads with a moist towel or washcloth after each use. This helps remove dirt or oil and bring back some stickiness.
  • Use a conductive gel or spray with each use to help preserve or regain the moisture of the pad.
  • Store the pads in their packaging, so they dont dry out.

  Its best to replace your electrodes once they no longer stick to your skin, or a majority of the pad is not in contact with your skin.

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  What Are The Advantages Or Benefits Of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Therapy

  TENS is a non-invasive method of pain relief. It can be used alone or in addition to prescriptions or over-the-counter pain-relieving medications. The amount of medication may be able to be reduced in some patients who use TENS therapy. Do not stop taking or make any adjustments in your dose of medications without discussing it with your doctor first.

  Another benefit of the TENS unit is that it is small and portable and therefore can be used at home or away, anytime pain relief is needed.

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  How To Use Tens Electrodes

  The TENS machine works by attaching electrodes to your skin. These electrodes are self-adhesive and will gently stick to the area of your skin you choose. You will usually place them on the area where you are experiencing pain unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional.

  Clean the area of the skin before and after using an electrode. Rubbing alcohol or another disinfectant that you know youre not allergic to will do. If the electrodes are not self-adhesive you can use medical tape to keep them attached to your skin.

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  Where Do You Place Tens Electrodes For Shoulder Pain

  For shoulder injuries, place the TENS electrode pads right over the area of pain. Start by placing the electrodes on the shoulders where you feel the most pain. Set the unit and adjust as necessary until you find pain relief. If you are not feeling relief, moving the electrodes around on the skin to just the right area can increase the amount of pain relief you feel.

  How Does Tens Unit Reduce Neck Pain

  TENS Unit Electrode Placement: Head and Neck Pain

  TENS is the abbreviation of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It is a non-invasive, non-pharmacological therapy of pain management. The TENS unit fundamentally consists of a small battery-operated unit, a couple of electrode pads and lead wires.

  The electrode pads are placed on the painful area of the body and connected with wires to the unit. The unit delivers controlled and modulated, soothing, electrical impulses through the skin to the peripheral nerves in the painful area. This electrical stimulation of the nerves results in pain relief.

  The Gate Control theory explains the effectiveness of this therapy.

  Gate Control theory states that the electrical stimulation of the nerve ending results in blocking the pain signal from reaching the brain. The sensory gate, which allows the pain signal to travel to the brain is closed because of the electrical stimulation.

  Whenever a severe pain and dull pain/ tingling/ stimulation is felt in the same area, the weaker sensation travels to the brain and the severe prominent pain gets blocked.

  The working and effectiveness of TENS therapy are based on this theory.

  The TENS unit also helps the body to produce endorphin

  The simplicity of working, its effectiveness and ease of operation have popularised this therapy in the USA and Europe.

  TENS therapy is beneficial in managing pains of all kinds like:

• back pain

• And many more.

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  It Can Stop Headaches And Migraines

  Neck pain can sometimes be so excruciating that it causes headaches and migraines. A TENS device is designed to calm tingling and irritated nerves that cause this problem. This can be very helpful at preventing these horrible yet common symptoms from developing.

  Heres a great video from the University of Iowa Health Care showcasing the power of TENS Units.

  Using Electrotherapy For Acute Shoulder Pain

  Ever reached for something in the top cabinet and feel an unexpected pain radiate in your shoulder? It happens to many people who suffer from acute shoulder pain. We use our shoulders all the time. They are the most mobile ball and socket joints in the human body. The humerus fits into the scapula . This is surrounded by the rotator cuff, a collection of four tendons that gives the shoulder its extreme flexibility.

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  Does A Tens Unit Have Side Effects

  While a TENS Unit is very helpful to use it also has a few side effects youll need to keep in mind. These include skin irritation and muscle soreness.

  You will also need to be careful not to keep the device running for too long on a certain section of your body as it could cause pain.

  In addition to this, you need to be very careful where you place the electrodes near your neck. You should never place them on the front or sides of it as this could be dangerous.

  How A Tens Machine Can Help You With Neck Pain

  

  A lot of people suffer from neck pain and try to alleviate them with strong medication. TENS is an alternative to pain therapy with strong medication. Through a TENS machine treatment, the neck muscles can relax again, the blood circulation improves and the pain quickly subsides. In most cases, it makes sense to extend the treatment to the shoulder and upper back area to relieve tension and pain. Chronic pain in the neck can be caused by an accident or rheumatic diseases. Here, a blockage of the pain transmission to the brain can be achieved. With this method, the impulses triggered by TENS influence the nerves involved so that they are no longer able to transmit the pain stimulus. Another possibility for reducing pain through TENS is the release of pain-reducing, endogenous hormones, the endorphins.

  If you have any further queations concerning TENS devices, feel free to contact us. Consultation by phone: or write us: .

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