Blogs about Electrotherapy- TENS, EMS, IF, electrode pads

  Since ancient times, people have been using electrotherapy to manage pain. They first used animals as sources of electric...

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one of the most common forms of electrotherapy for pain management. This noninvasive method...

All about what can go wrong in using TENS and how to deal with these problems when encountered: skin irritiation, unfixed electrode pads, no pain relief, nausea. These are just minor problems that can be resolved by doing the following:

1. To avoid skin irritation, make sure to clean the skin with water and air dry it; you can also add skin preparation gel;

2. To ensure electrodes get fixed, try to hold the patches in place with medical tape. You can also try to reactivate the sticky surface;

3. To avoid sensitization to TENS therapy, try other settings or rest from using TENS before resuming;

4. When there's nausea, seek a professional healthcare's help.

In using TENS therapy to manage pain, choosing the right electrode pads is important to ensure that the current emitted by the device is transferred properly to the skin and nerves around painful area in our body. Here are 5 factors to consider in finding the best electrode pad:
1. Universal compatibility. It should fit TENS units' standard 1.8-2.2 mm pigtail connection or 3.5 mm snap connection. 
2. Ready to use. It should be pre-gelled.
3. Long lasting. It come with good packaging- sealed and electrode pads sticked in clean plastic cover.
4. Latex-free and strong adhesion. It should not irritate the skin but should stick well on clean, oil-free skin. 
5. Comes in various shapes and sizes. There should be different shapes and sizes available to fit any area you want to apply TENS therapy on.

TENS therapy for pain relief is most effective when the electrodes are placed at the exact position where the painful area is felt. Most physicians recommend locating trigger points or dermatomes and sticking the electrode pads there. There are also placement patterns that are recommended by experts. TENS unit pad placement for maximum pain relief can be achieved trial and error but listening to your therapist can be the fastest way to locate the best points for electrical stimulation.

All about spinal stenosis, who are at risk of having this disease, how it is diagnosed and where the electrodes need to be placed to help minimize the pain from spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is a condition where there;s narrowing of spinal spaces.This is common among older people or may be congenital. It can be diagnosed via MRI and the location of stenosis can also be identified through this. Recommended electrode pad placement usually is on the flanks. TENS is a relatively safe treatment for this condition.

    I’ve been suffering from plantar fasciitis, and I guess having to deal with the pain on my feet...