What is the Therapeutic effects of TENS?

[Theodoravoon]

could anyone tell me? Thanks！
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[quorthon]

many thories behind it like the so-called GATE THEORY of melzack and wall but in practice is U-S-E-L-E-S-S...of course if u need "placebo" effects in your treatment regime which is acceptable u can use it quite well....But as far the PHYSIOLOGICAL effect in tissues, u just waste time with TENS and with many other electrotherapeutic modalities!

[physiochile]

The main function of TENS is to inhibit pain ( theory).... now as far as how to use it in Physiotherapy .. its mainly used to decrease pain before manual treatment... but yeah i agree with quorton and TENS has been used wrongly at least in my country ... many physios use too much electrotherapeutic modalities and dont use their hands or dont prescribe exercise .. which is the physios main function... hope this helps

[mulberry]

TENS helps with improving circulation, pain inhibition and spasm relaxation it is a useful adjunct to treatment after manual therapy to flush the area with blood helping to remove inflammatory processes. it also helps the patient relax that little bit further by relaxing any residual muscle spasm that may be present after treatment.
it is also very useful to introduce treatment with very irritable and resistant conditions that do not tolerate immediate manual therapy

[Josephine]

Depends which TENS you are talking about. If it's the unit physios and osteopaths use, I couldn't comment as I have no experience of them.

However, if you're talking about the little units people use for pain management, they are the best! I have used one for back (chronic low back pain - 'nurse's back'!!) , shoulder (rotator cuff impingement) and post-op after a knee scope which helped me get back to work after just 1 week! I swear by them, have used them (occasionally!) for about 20 years, currently on my third unit!

These work by interrupting the neuro-transmitters that tell your brain you have pain. I always use 4 electrodes to get maximum effect and they work fantastically well. If you get one, make sure it has dual channels and several modes. It's good to change them every 10-15 minutes as the n/t get used to one mode much like the nose becomes accustomed to an aroma! They cost little - you can get good units quite cheaply in Lloyds Pharmacy, on-line or even on Ebay - and you can get on with life whilst using one. It's not recommended you use it whilst driving or sleeping, though.

[CeliaPrinsloo]

Hi. Firstly you get sensory or motor tens (low and high frequency tense) they work differently and on different receptors. I would advise that you go and read up further about this. In short - it works on the gate control theory, endorphin release and endogenous opiate production and release (last mentioned is more with your motor tense). Tens has also been proven to help with tissue healing. a nice book that explains the effects of tens and other modalities is Physical Agents in Rehabilitation by Michelle H Cameron

[quorthon]

few evidence in literature that TENS is really effective comparing with placebo or no treatment at all....As far as the so dubious "gate theory" mai i remind to all colleagues an important parameter...The stimulation of Ab receptors that they supposed to be stimulated ONLY by Tens,u can achieve that equally with any form of "pressure" ,either massage either MOBILISATION through the activation of Ab receptors in joints....
So when we label a "theory" behind a therapeutic modality (which remains UNPROVEN in treatment effect as i mentioned before) we should enlighten it more...And always be sceptical

[Josephine]

So when we label a "theory" behind a therapeutic modality (which remains UNPROVEN in treatment effect as i mentioned before) we should enlighten it more...And always be sceptical

[CeliaPrinsloo]

Once again I would like to know are we talking sensory or motor level tens, as they work on different receptors. It has been proven that after motor level TENS endorphin levels are higher, therefore pain levels are decreased. Also, the effect of motor levels last longer than that of sensory. I agree that massage, mobilisation etc work on the gate theory as well and no one said that it's only stimulated by tens. TENS is just another tool in the bucket that you can use.

[CeliaPrinsloo]

You can also try and read the following article:

Effect of Modulated TENS on Muscle Activation, Oxygenation, and Pain: Searching for a Physiological Mechanism
Authors: Natasa S. Kavcic a; Greg H. Lehman a; Stuart M. McGill a

Also in the following article: Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study of the Effect of TENS on Postthoracotomy Pain and Pulmonary Function by Mükerrem Erdogan et al. there was a significant decrease in the need for opiods during the 5 day post-op period with no evidence of side effects or intollerance in the research group.

Nonpharmacological Treatments for Musculoskeletal Pain
*Anthony Wright, Ph.D., and †Kathleen A. Sluka, Ph.D.
' In contrast, Marchand et al.8 showed
that high-frequency TENS treatment significantly reduced
the affective component of pain"
"However, it is difficult to draw
conclusions regarding effectiveness because different
pain syndromes, different stimulation parameters, and
different outcome measures were used in each study."

"...improves the
physical and mental component summary on the Short
Form–36 quality of life survey in patients with chronic
low back pain"

Just a few quotes out of above mentioned article.

The main thing to remember is that TENS will never be used on it own and that other modalities and techniques should also be included in the treatment.

[Josephine]

Once again I would like to know are we talking sensory or motor level tens, as they work on different receptors.

Think I muddied the waters by talking about a different one from what the OP meant - sorry!

[aprillove20]

What is this discussion all about?

[pmelopt]

Hi everyone!

I recently bought this TENS unit (LG-7000) from LGMedSupply and I would like to know if I can use it for FES or is this equipment not the most adequate? Should I get a different one?
Thank you all for your replies.

Cheers,
Paulo

[totout]

The therapeutic effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in the alleviation of pain and post-IMF trismus, in patients undergoing jaw exercises to hasten mouth opening after being treated for fractures of the mandible...

[pmelopt]

Thank you for the reply!
But what I wanted to know is if a TENS equipment can be used for functional electrical stimulation. What changes from one device to other? Is it the current levels (my device can go up to 100 mA), the wave used (square pulse, symmetrical/assymetrical) or the pulse width and frequency? Or is it just an electrodes position question (if I use the electrodes in a particular location I have a TENS function or if I use them in another location I can have movement production)?

Thankds for the help.

[namratasnv]

You can also try and read the following article:

Effect of Modulated TENS on Muscle Activation, Oxygenation, and Pain: Searching for a Physiological Mechanism
Authors: Natasa S. Kavcic a; Greg H. Lehman a; Stuart M. McGill a

Also in the following article: Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study of the Effect of TENS on Postthoracotomy Pain and Pulmonary Function by Mükerrem Erdogan et al. there was a significant decrease in the need for opiods during the 5 day post-op period with no evidence of side effects or intollerance in the research group.

Nonpharmacological Treatments for Musculoskeletal Pain
*Anthony Wright, Ph.D., and †Kathleen A. Sluka, Ph.D.
' In contrast, Marchand et al.8 showed
that high-frequency TENS treatment significantly reduced
the affective component of pain"
"However, it is difficult to draw
conclusions regarding effectiveness because different
pain syndromes, different stimulation parameters, and
different outcome measures were used in each study."

"...improves the
physical and mental component summary on the Short
Form–36 quality of life survey in patients with chronic
low back pain"

Just a few quotes out of above mentioned article.

The main thing to remember is that TENS will never be used on it own and that other modalities and techniques should also be included in the treatment.

Yes, you are absolutely right, Tens unit is not used by it own, we need to proper consult regarding the pain we are going through.

But, what I think Tens unit are the best to control all your chronic pain.

Thanks
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[mulberry]

the therapeutic effect is patient satisfaction. this has not been discussed as yet. a wonderful article in the australian journal of physiotherapy titled the physiotherapy experience in private practice the patients perspective suggests that applying electrotherapeutic modalities at the end of the treatment session help build rapport and enjoyment of the physiotherapy experience which will help bring them back for further treatment.

[flag0001]

Thank you all for your replies.

[gcoe]

And now flag0001 will tell you about the shoes he wants to sell.