If a 'large' current is put through smaller electrodes, the current density (mA/cm2) will increase and as a general rule of thumb, higher current density results in greater discomfort (and if pushed far enough, can lead to skin irritation and eventually a burn)
Full Answer
How do I use the tens electrode placement chart?
Download the tens electrode placement chart PDF Version of the TENS 7000 Electrode Placement Guide 1. Locate exactly where your pain is. Gently start feeling or pressing the area where you're in discomfort. Doing this will help identify the sharpest pain point.
What is the relationship between electrode pad size and stimulation?
... Typically the stimulation is current-controlled, in which case the size of the electrode pad constituting each pole needs to be considered as it has an inverse relationship with current density (Keller and Kuhn, 2008; Forrester and Petrofsky, 2004). This results in smaller pads being better able to stimulate deeper neurones. ...
What should I know before using a TENS unit?
Never place the electrodes joints such as knees, ankles, or elbows since movement will altar how well the pads stick to your skin. 7. Never place the electrodes on or near your face. 8. When applying for the first time, be sure to program your TENS unit to a low-intensity level and increase as needed.
What happens if I don't place my tens pads on right?
Failure to place electrode pads on the right spot will result in very little to no pain relief. It's best practice to place TENS unit pads ( electrodes) near the painful/injured area.
Does the size of an electrode matter?
The dimensions of your electrodes should not effect the open circuit voltage, since this is determined solely by the identity and concentrations of the redox species. Once the cell is running, the dimensions may affect how much the voltage drops off as you draw current, known as "overpotential".
Why is the size of the surface electrode important?
The comfort of stimulation for the same amount of plantar flexion force improved significantly as electrode size became larger. We concluded that electrode size affects the stimulus parameters, comfort, and force generation associated with electrically induced excitatory responses.
How does electrode size affect voltage?
A larger sized electrode raised the voltage level. of the electrode follows a quadratic function of the side length. Therefore, the effect of the side length on the voltage would continue to be enhanced as the surface area increased more sharply.
What is the role of the electrode in electrical stimulation?
Electric stimulation works by mimicking the natural way by which the body exercises its muscles. The electrodes attached to the skin deliver impulses that make the muscles contract. It is beneficial in increasing the patient's range of motion and improves the circulation of the body.
Why are electrodes different sizes?
This reduction in the size of the electrodes has many advantages. The smaller the electrode size, the larger the influence of charge transfer kinetics on the conduction (see Chapter 1 of this volume, Section 1.2).
How does electrode size affect electrode impedance?
In general, the smaller the size of a sensing electrode, the larger the contribution of the faradic impedance (˜1/r2, with or without cells) from the electrode/electrolyte interface to the overall impedance [29].
What is the usage of smaller diameter electrodes?
For thin materials, you will need an electrode that produces soft arcs, such as a 6013. Also, smaller diameter electrodes will provide shallow penetration to help prevent burn-through on thinner materials.
What are the factors affecting electrode potential?
(2) The magnitude of electrode potential depends on the following factors, (i) Nature of the electrode, (ii) Concentration of the ions in solution, (iii) Temperature.
How would increasing the size of the metal electrode affect the cell potential of a galvanic cell if everything else in the cell remains the same?
Changing the size of the electrode doesn't change cell potential, but it will change the "battery" life.
How high should I set my TENS unit?
Acute pain is usually most effective between 80 and 120 Hz. Chronic pain can also benefit from lower settings 2 to 10Hz that stimulates an endorphin release. A setting between 35 and 50Hz is commonly used to stimulate muscles for strengthening or even relaxation.
Which electrode is used for stimulation?
Some platinum alloys (platinum/tungsten, platinum/iridium) have also been tested as stimulating electrodes. For instance, 70% platinum/30% iridium has been used because of its greater mechanical strength when compared to pure platinum (Robblee et al. 1983).
What does electrodes do to muscles?
The electrodes take the place of the nerves that normally cause the muscles to move. In a sense, they are exercising independently to increase strength and improve healing. This helps muscles recover faster than they would with only traditional physical therapy. Electrode therapy also provides stress relief.
Why do you need to place electrode pads on the right spot?
Because you're targeting a specific painful area, making sure your tens unit pads are placed in the right area is critical. Failure to place electrode pads on the right spot will result in very little to no pain relief.
How to keep electrodes in between treatments?
1. Keep your electrodes in a resealable bag in a cool, dry place between treatment sessions.
What is a Tens unit?
What makes a TENS Unit so popular is the ability to target almost any pain point on your body as well as customize the treatment intensity and length. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Units are effective in treating both chronic and acute pains, including arthritis, sciatica, sore muscles, fibromyalgia, and more.
How far apart should tens pads be?
TENS Unit pads can be placed horizontally, vertically, or at an angled position. 5. Make sure the pads are not touching and at least one inch apart. The further the pads are apart, the weaker the treatment is. Closer is stronger but never touching.
How to get rid of a sharp pain point?
1. Locate exactly where your pain is. Gently start feeling or pressing the area where you're in discomfort. Doing this will help identify the sharpest pain point. 2. Use a minimum of two pads for pain treatment. Using one pad will not provide pain relief. Four pads are even more useful for optimal pain treatment. 3.
Where to place tens pads?
It's best practice to place TENS unit pads ( electrodes) near the painful/injured area. This type of placement is called contiguous placement. Placing the electrodes in this manner causes the electrical current to be directed through or around the area of pain. We've highlighted this treatment style below in our TENS Unit Placement Guide:
Can you put electrodes on your face?
7. Never place the electrodes on or near your face.
What is a TENS Unit?
TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) uses a mild electric current, typically ranging from about 10 Hz to 50 Hz., to send pulses through the skin via small electrodes.
Why is proper placement of tens electrodes important?
Proper placement of the electrodes is vital for optimizing the effectiveness of TENS therapy. Always be sure that the machine is powered off until all of the electrodes are in place. Here are some tips for placement:
What is a microblock electrode good for?
Good for massage or muscle therapy, menstrual cramps, or upper/lower back pain. MicroBlock antimicrobial electrodes help kill and inhibit the growth of common disease-causing bacteria on and around the zone of inhibition of the electrode surface.
What are the uses of Tens?
Other common uses for TENS treatment include: acute and chronic pain, surgical pain, menstrual cramps, labor, and delivery, migraine and tension headaches, acute pain from sports or work injuries, chronic tendentious and bursitis pain, cancer-related pain, and wound healing.
How long does Tens therapy last?
TENS therapy works best when used for at least 15 minutes, and while active ( studies have shown it to be less effective when sitting, lying, or resting .) The therapy is painless, though many users report a pleasant tingling sensation and/or muscle twitching.
Where to put electrodes for sciatica?
If the pain extends across a large area of your body like the low back to just above the back of the knee ( frequently a symptom of sciatica ), Affix one of the electrodes vertically at the top of the pain and the other electrode vertically at the bottom of the pain area.
How small is a Tens unit?
TENS units are conveniently small ( about the size of a small cell phone ), portable, and relatively discrete. You can keep a one in your pocket, purse, or even clipped to your belt and have immediate access to pain relief.
What happens if you put a large current through a smaller electrode?
If a 'large' current is put through smaller electrodes, the current density (mA/cm2) will increase and as a general rule of thumb, higher current density results in greater discomfort (and if pushed far enough, can lead to skin irritation and eventually a burn)
Can smaller electrodes increase patient comfort?
You can get a result with smaller electrodes, but patient (whether human or animal) comfort will be improved with larger electrode sizes, and therefore compliance will increase
Would a TENS Unit Help Your Pain?
If you think that electrotherapy could help your pain, you don't have to wait for a pre scription to buy a TENS unit for yourself.
How does a Tens unit work?
When you're using a TENS unit, this stimulation comes from electrode patches that you place on your skin in the affected area. You use the device to send a mild, painless electrical current through the electrodes. Depending on your pain levels and sensitivity, you can increase or decrease the strength of the current to experience the most relief.
What is the best way to treat pain in the body?
Doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and other medical professionals use electrotherapy to treat pain in targeted areas of the body. But with the help of a TENS unit, you can use this method to treat your pain at home.
What does tens mean?
TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. In plain English, this refers to a device that sends controlled amounts of electricity through your skin to activate the nerves underneath.
What is the second theory of Tens?
The second theory behind TENS units involves endorphins, also known as " feel-good hormones".
Is electrotherapy safe?
Electrotherapy can help most people safely treat their pain from the comfort of their home. Even so, there are a few risks associated with it.
Can electrotherapy help with muscle pain?
Electrotherapy can also be effective for some types of muscle pain, but it works best for pain of nervous origin.
Where To Place TENS Pads For Erectile Dysfunction
First, make sure the TENS device is turned off. Next you will want to place the TENS electrode pads at the base of the penis and shaft of the penis. Most TENS units have one wire that splits off into two with an electrode pad attached to it.
How To Correctly Use A TENS Unit for ED
You are going to want to go slow and be deliberate when connecting TENS electrode pads to your penis. TENS units are easy to use and these steps will ensure a pain free treatment for ED.
Is A TENS Unit for Erectile Dysfunction Safe?
Yes, a TENS unit is safe for the treatment of ED. There are studies that show the effectiveness of TENS therapy. Click here to read the study from the National Institute of Health. Here is the cliff notes version:
What is Erectile Dysfunction (ED)?
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get and maintain an erection that’s firm enough for sex. Men who have ED have decreased blood flow to the penis, which is caused by many things from high blood pressure, side effects from prescription drugs and high blood pressure.
Why maximum voltage matters?
How does a TENS device produce the stimulation current? Although the flow of current through the electrode and skin is complex, the basic concept can be understood using Ohm’s law that you may remember from high school physics:
How many milliamps are needed for pain relief?
Most people need between 15 and 50 milliamps (a milliamp is 1000 th of an amp) for a strong but comfortable stimulation to produce pain relief. Let’s assume you need 25 milliamps and have healthy and well hydrated skin and therefore a resistance of 1000 ohms. Well then you need (25/1000 x 1000) = 25 volts, which most OTC TENS devices can provide.
How many volts are needed for 50 milliamps?
But what if you need 50 milliamps for pain relief and have dry skin with a resistance of 2000 ohms? Now you need (50/1000*2000) = 100 volts. Few OTC devices can generate such a high voltage. A larger maximum voltage can be critical, providing flexibility for cases needing higher stimulation current and having greater skin resistance.
How many volts does a tens device generate?
Basic TENS devices have simple circuits that typically generate no more than 40-60 volts. Prescription devices may provide 100 volts. Quell has an advanced stimulation circuit based on a proprietary neurostimulation microchip that reliably generates up to 120 volts, which is 2-3 times higher than most OTC TENS devices.
Why does dry skin have a higher resistance than hydrated skin?
Dry skin has a higher resistance than hydrated skin because the dry skin acts as a barrier to current flow. Ohm’s law tells us that as the resistance increases more voltage is required to generate the same current.
How many volts does a portable tens device use?
Portable TENS devices are powered by small batteries that only provide a few volts; for example, 2 AA batteries create 3 volts. Therefore, the devices must boost the low battery voltage to a high nerve stimulation voltage, requiring a specialized electronic circuit.
How does tens work?
TENS provides pain relief by passing an electric current between electrodes placed on the skin. The current flows across the skin underneath the electrodes and through the body where it stimulates nearby nerves. This current initiates nerve impulses, called action potentials, that travel to your spinal cord and brain to activate a complex neurological circuit that produces pain relief.
What Is A Tens Unit?
- TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) uses a mild electric current, typically ranging from about 10 Hz to 50 Hz., to send pulses through the skin via small electrodes. These low-voltage pulses stimulate the body’s natural pain inhibitors to release endorphins that help block the area's ability to send pain signals to the brain. The TEN...
Types & Sizes of Electrodes Available
- Electrodes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizesto best fit the specific needs of pain sufferers and can be used on any body part that the user needs. For example, two of the smaller TENS patches may be used on either side of the spine at the back of the neck for neck pain, while larger patches might be used for muscular pain in the back or upper legs. Here are some of the …
Electrode Placement
- Proper placement of the electrodes is vital for optimizing the effectiveness of TENS therapy. Always be sure that the machine is powered off until all of the electrodes are in place. Here are some tips for placement: 1. If the pain extends across a large area of your body like the low back to just above the back of the knee (frequently a symptom of sciatica), Affix one of the electrode…
History of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
- The use of electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief has been around almost as long as there’s been medicine and people practicing it. Ancient Roman physicians as far back as 60 A.D. proposed symptomatic relief for pain suffers by having them stand on ocean-dwelling “electric fish” at the seashore. Many Asian cultures encouraged the use of electric eels as pain therapy, a…