Page 5 - Inspire Health Magazine | May - June 2017

PAIN MANAGEMENT

WITH A PULSE

TENS PROVIDES A DRUG-FREE OPTION

By Liz Genest Smith

f you deal with a chronic condition,
have ever been injured, or are
simply over 40, you know how im-
Iportant it is to have effective pain
management strategies. Some people
rely solely on medication, some are
disciplined enough to rely on medita-
tion, but if you’re looking for something
in between, you may want to consider
a TENS machine.
The technical name for this
technology is transcutaneous electri-
cal nerve stimulation (TENS), and it’s
delivered via a portable, battery-oper-
ated device that is worn on the body. A small box is attached by wires to stickers
A small box is attached by wires to
stickers that, when placed on the skin, that, when placed on the skin, send out small
send out small electrical pulses that can electrical pulses that can help ease certain
help ease certain types of nerve and types of nerve and muscle pain.
muscle pain.
How does it work? At a high pulse
rate, electrical impulses generated by
the machine are thought to disrupt IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: There are multiple companies man-
pain messages and keep them from § undiagnosed pain ufacturing TENS units, and prices range
reaching the brain. At a lower pulse § pregnant women (unless a doctor from as low as $30 up to $500 or higher.
rate, it’s said to stimulate the produc- advises, or the woman is in labor) If you are confused or overwhelmed by
tion of endorphins, the body’s pain-eas- § those with pacemakers, epilepsy or the selection, it’s a good idea to read
ing chemicals, producing an effect certain types of heart disease reviews or seek out comparisons. The
similar to drug therapy. § wound healing Good Body’s website -- which reviews
health products, gadgets and technology
WHO USES IT? THE TENS -- recently put out a helpful list of TENS
MACHINE IS COMMONLY USED
BY PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM: devices at various price points, along
§ acute and chronic pain with features and ratings. It can be found
§ post-operative incisions and post- at: www.thegoodbody.com/what-is-the-
surgical pain best-tens-unit.
§ labor and delivery While scientific research on its ef-
§ migraine and tension headaches fectiveness is inconclusive, many people
§ acute pain from sports and other injuries swear by the TENS machine, which is re-
§ arthritis portedly well-tolerated and mostly with-
§ chronic pain from tendonitis and bursitis out side effects. Results vary, of course,
§ cancer pain but for those in pain, it’s a chemical-free
option that’s worth exploring.