How long can I use my TENS unit for?
The pain relief provided by high-frequency interferential therapy can have life-enhancing effects for your chronic pain patients. And with many patients reporting four or more hours of pain relief after a 30-minute treatment, it’s an opioid-free, at-home therapeutic option worth considering.
What is TENS therapy?
TENS unit sessions are typically between 20 – 30 minutes long because that's how long it takes for most people to get pain relief. It's possible that it will take longer for you, and it's possible to use it for up to 2 hours at a time depending on the TENS unit. How Often to Use a TENS unit. How often you use your device depends on how quickly your pain returns.
What should I do after the tens treatment?
Answers to your frequently asked questions about RS Medical products. If you have questions about your RS-4i Plus device or any of its accessories, contact our Customer Service department Monday to Friday from 7:00am – 5:00pm PT. Please call 800-935-7763 or email [email protected] .
How to use TENS unit electrodes?
MODEL. RS Medical RS-TENS Plus. Sequential Stimulation combines interferential. and muscle stimulation in a single device. Inclusive interferential indications. Comprehensive muscle stimulation indications. Automatically suggests pre-programmed. treatment plan. Fully programmable treatment plans.
What is RS-4i Plus?
During muscle therapy, the RS-4i Plus delivers a custom waveform that causes the treated muscle to involuntarily contract, relaxing muscle spasms, preventing or slowing muscle atrophy, increasing circulation and maintaining or increasing range of motion .
What is NMES therapy?
Interferential therapy reduces pain at the source and excites the body’s natural pain reducing mechanisms. NMES provides deep muscle stimulation that reduces spasms and increases circulation to aid in mobility and healing.
Does RS-4I Plus work?
There’s no need to hunt for preferred therapies. RS-4i Plus treatments begin with a few minutes of Interferential therapy, in which the RS-4i Plus blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain with a high-frequency waveform that penetrates deep into tissue. Pain Relief treatment segments can help relieve acute musculoskeletal pain ...
How to hold electrode pads?
Hold the electrode pads lightly at the edge when applying or removing.
How does electrotherapy work?
Electrotherapy works by stimulating nerve and muscle fibers, not bone. Placing electrode pads on bony structures such as directly on the spine, directly on the shoulder bone, shoulder blades, elbow or knee cap, may not be comfortable and can cause a pinching sensation. Treatment will feel the most comfortable when pads are placed on muscle or soft tissue. If needed, pause treatment and adjust pads for the best comfort during a treatment.
How often do you need to replace electrodes?
Electrodes are disposable and usually need to be replaced about every 30 days, as they start to wear out. As electrodes age, they lose their ability to stick to your skin or conduct stimulation. You may notice that you need to increase the intensity higher than normal or that the electrodes begin to curl up around the edges, causing discomfort. If you experience any of these situations, visit RS Medical Shop to order a new supply of electrodes. U.S. Veterans will need to contact the Prosthetics Department at their local VA Medical Center to order supplies.
How long to wait to use gel?
If the gel feels dry, rub a few drops of water over the gel surface and wait approximately 10 minutes (until the gel becomes tacky) before using.
Can you use electrode pads on skin?
Do not use electrodes pads on skin if the area you will be treating already has ointment, lotion, powders, or over the counter pain creams (like Bengay®, Biofreeze®, or prescription pain creams). These topical skincare products can damage or interfere with adhesive and conductive properties of the electrode gel. In some cases, the damage may render the pads useless and you will need to replace them to continue treatment.
When to order pads?
Order new pads BEFORE you run out. Everyone’s skin is different and frequency of use is different. RS Medical recommends ordering more than one package so you are never without a fresh set of pads when you need a treatment.
Can you use rubbing alcohol on cotton pads?
You may also use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to remove any excess oils, sweat, lotions or creams before placing pads. Rubbing alcohol can cause a drying effect or reaction in patients with skin sensitivity, so do not use this method if you have sensitive skin.
How long does it take to train quadriceps femoris?
Patients in both groups used simultaneous contraction of quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscles during a training regimen that consisted of either voluntary exercise or electrical stimulation trials five days a week for a three-week period within the first six postoperative weeks.
How is analgesia produced by acupuncture-like stimulation mediated?
This indicates that the analgesia produced by acupuncture-like stimulation is mediated via mechanisms utilizing endorphins whereas the analgesia produced from high frequency stimulation of coarse cutaneous afferents is mediated via some other mechanism. Instructional Videos. View fullsize.
What is ocular pain?
Purpose: Ocular pain is a debilitating condition that is challenging to treat as therapies that target the ocular surface are often ineffective. We previously reported a short-term reduction in ocular pain after one periocular transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) session. The current study aims to elucidate the long-term effect ...
What is conditioning electrical stimulation?
Conditioning electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves is presently routinely employed for alleviation of chronic pain in humans. Most commonly, high frequency stimulation of probably mainly coarse myelinated afferents from the skin is used as proposed in the gate theory of Melzack and Wall25.
What are the main outcome measures?
Main outcome measures: Sensory, motor, and pain thresholds; MEIT; and subjective reports of relative discomfort were recorded for each of the 4 conditions. Motor to sensory threshold ratios were subsequently calculated to assess depth efficiency of stimulation.
Is premodulated IFC more effective than traditional IFC?
Conclusions: The findings indicate that premodulated IFC, delivered via 2 large electrodes, may be clinically more effective than the traditional true IFC arrangement in terms of depth efficiency, torque production, and patient comfort.
Is electrical muscle stimulation a placebo controlled trial?
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to investiga te the efficacy of electrical muscle stimulation when combined with a therapist-guided, standardized exercise therapy program in the treatment of non-acute low back pain.
How long does a Tens session last?
Professionals usually suggesting making a TENS therapy session last for around 30 minutes at a time. However, there’s no real danger to longer sessions as long as you give your skin a break from the electrode pads every 20 minutes or so.
What to do if you have pain from overuse?
He or she can help you come up with a stretching and exercise program that can help you heal the source of the pain.
Is Tens a prescription drug?
Every pain killer, whether over the counter or prescription, has a specific safe dosage that should not be exceeded. However, TENS is not like these drugs at all. TENS is an extremely safe and non-invasive alternative to these pain killers.
Is it safe to use tens?
When you’re using a home-use TENS device as instructed, it’s safe to use TENS as often as you need. With that answer in mind, it may be that TENS is more effective for certain patients with more frequent uses. Remember, TENS also encourages the release of endorphins with each use, which work as the body’s natural painkiller.
Is electrotherapy portable?
While units used to be made strictly for use in professional settings, now there are portable, home-use options. With the increasing popularity of electrotherapy comes a slew of questions about how it works. One question that we get a lot at iReliev is: How often can you use a TENS unit?
Can you become addicted to Tens?
Since TENS does not enter the body in any way, it does not have what it takes to be addictive in any way. Therefore the answer the last of the sample questions above is simple. There is no limit to how much TENS one can use before becoming addicted because there is no addiction involved with TENS.
How does transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation work?
One theory is that the electric current stimulates nerve cells that block the transmission of pain signals, modifying your perception of pain. The other theory is that nerve stimulation raises the level of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain-killing ...
How does a Tens unit work?
The device comes with several sets of electrode wires and end pads. The electrodes connect to the device at one end and are attached to about 2 inch by 2 inch pads at the other end. Each pad has an adhesive backing and is positioned on your skin in specific areas along nerve pathways in the area to be treated . (Instead of direct contact with the skin, an acupuncturist may connect the TENS unit to acupuncture needles.)
What is TENS therapy?
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy involves the use of low-voltage electric currents to treat pain. A small device delivers the current at or near nerves. TENS therapy blocks or changes your perception of pain. Appointments & Access.
What is the disease of the joints?
Osteoarthritis (disease of the joints). Fibromyalgia (aching and pain in muscles, tendons, and joints all over the body, especially along the spine. Tendinitis (an inflammation or irritation of a tendon). Bursitis (inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints). Labor pain.
Where are tens placed?
A TENS unit consists of a battery-powered device that delivers electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the surface of your skin. The electrodes are placed at or near nerves where the pain is located or at trigger points. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.
What does "tens" mean?
Near or over eyes or mouth, front or side of neck, or on the head. Near reproductive organs or genitals. To areas of the body that lack or have reduced sensation. In persons who have trouble communicating or who have mental impairment and cannot provide feedback to ensure the safe use of TENS.
What is the term for the hardening of the arteries that circulate blood to the body?
Peripheral artery disease (“hardening of the arteries” that circulate blood to the body).
How to get an electrode to stick to skin?
Put the electrodes on your skin and use medical tape or a sticky patch to cover the electrode. This keeps the electrode firmly stuck to the skin. Ask for help if you cannot reach the area where the electrodes should go. Hook the pin connectors on the end of the electrode wires to the electrodes.
How to clean the skin of a syringe?
Use rubbing alcohol to clean the skin where the electrodes will be placed. Let your skin dry. Put a thin coat of gel on the bottom of each electrode . This gel helps the electrical signal get to the nerves under your skin. Put the electrodes on your skin and use medical tape or a sticky patch to cover the electrode .
How to hook up a Tens unit?
Hook the pin connectors on the end of the electrode wires to the electrodes. Then plug the electrode wires into the TENS unit.
How to get rid of redness under electrodes?
Check your skin under the electrodes for redness or tenderness. Clean your skin when the electrodes are off and use lotion. Move the electrodes slightly for each treatment. This will help prevent the skin from becoming red or sore. Put new gel on the bottom of the electrodes each time you place them on your skin.
How often should you remove tens electrodes?
Also tell him if you cannot feel any tingling at all. The signal may be too weak or too slow. The electrodes should be removed at least once a day if the TENS treatment is used around the clock.
What is a Tens unit?
A TENS unit is a small, portable, battery-powered device . The TENS unit uses mild, safe electrical signals to help control pain. Electrodes (sticky patches) are placed on your skin.
Can you leave a tens gel on your skin?
The electrodes may be left on your skin if you have another TENS treatment soon. If not, remove the electrodes. Wash the skin where the electrodes were placed. Clean the electrodes with soap and water to remove the gel. Do not use alcohol because this can damage the rubber on the electrode.
