A popular method in alternative medicine for managing pain that is gaining a growing following is TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. As a non-invasive form of pain management, various studies have attested to the effectiveness of TENS electrodes for alleviating pains brought about by post-surgical recovery, arthritis, muscles and cancer. This method works for acute and chronic pains.
But even the most risk-free methods can pose real dangers when the safety measures are not observed. It's important to follow safety precautions to the letter so that health complications and mishaps are avoided.
First of all, make sure that the TENS electrodes are placed where they should be. If you are doing treatment by yourself at home, make sure that you get clear instructions from your doctor about where the electrodes should be positioned.
The electrodes have no place near your eyes or in the front of your neck. Increased intraocular pressure can build up if you happen to place the electrodes in the vicinity of your eyes and if you put them in front of your neck, laryngospasm and hypotension can occur. Wounds and broken skin should not also be pasted with electrodes since infections could occur. Moreover, TENS should not also be used over tumors or malignant lumps since research have supported the theory that electricity can stimulate cell growth. Placing the electrodes directly above the spinal column is also prohibited. Only specialized TENS units can be used for dental, vaginal or anal use so you should never use your electrodes internally.
Individuals with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are also not allowed to use TENS. These heart aids are sensitive to electrical stimulation and TENS therapy could interfere with their efficient functioning. Patients who have heart issues but do not have pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators are also dissuaded from undergoing TENS therapy unless supervised by the physician.
Extreme care should be observed when putting the electrodes in numbed areas of the body. Positioning the electrodes in areas of the skin where sensation can barely be felt can only result to the inability of the patient to feel the electric currents given until these are too high. When this happens, skin irritation is the likely result.
TENS therapy is also contraindicated in women who are infanticipating and in individuals suffering from epilepsy. Its effect on these conditions- the developing fetus in particular- has not yet been fully determined by exhaustive studies.
When receiving TENS in your doctor's clinic, inform him or her right away if you experience twitching in your muscles since this could signify that the signals given are too powerful for you. Tell your doctor if you also do not feel anything since he or she may need to increase the dose.
It's also important to make sure that you unplug the unit before going to sleep and not to get into the water when you still have the electrodes attached to your skin and the TENS unit is still on. Doing the latter would be tantamount to suicide.
But even the most risk-free methods can pose real dangers when the safety measures are not observed. It's important to follow safety precautions to the letter so that health complications and mishaps are avoided.
First of all, make sure that the TENS electrodes are placed where they should be. If you are doing treatment by yourself at home, make sure that you get clear instructions from your doctor about where the electrodes should be positioned.
The electrodes have no place near your eyes or in the front of your neck. Increased intraocular pressure can build up if you happen to place the electrodes in the vicinity of your eyes and if you put them in front of your neck, laryngospasm and hypotension can occur. Wounds and broken skin should not also be pasted with electrodes since infections could occur. Moreover, TENS should not also be used over tumors or malignant lumps since research have supported the theory that electricity can stimulate cell growth. Placing the electrodes directly above the spinal column is also prohibited. Only specialized TENS units can be used for dental, vaginal or anal use so you should never use your electrodes internally.
Individuals with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are also not allowed to use TENS. These heart aids are sensitive to electrical stimulation and TENS therapy could interfere with their efficient functioning. Patients who have heart issues but do not have pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators are also dissuaded from undergoing TENS therapy unless supervised by the physician.
Extreme care should be observed when putting the electrodes in numbed areas of the body. Positioning the electrodes in areas of the skin where sensation can barely be felt can only result to the inability of the patient to feel the electric currents given until these are too high. When this happens, skin irritation is the likely result.
TENS therapy is also contraindicated in women who are infanticipating and in individuals suffering from epilepsy. Its effect on these conditions- the developing fetus in particular- has not yet been fully determined by exhaustive studies.
When receiving TENS in your doctor's clinic, inform him or her right away if you experience twitching in your muscles since this could signify that the signals given are too powerful for you. Tell your doctor if you also do not feel anything since he or she may need to increase the dose.
It's also important to make sure that you unplug the unit before going to sleep and not to get into the water when you still have the electrodes attached to your skin and the TENS unit is still on. Doing the latter would be tantamount to suicide.
About the Author:
Lastly, remember to check out this article on TENS electrodes and this post about TENS treatment.
