Tens Programs - I-Tech PHYSIO Notice D'utilisation

TENS programs

TENS, an acronym standing for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, is
a therapeutic technique mainly used for analgesic purposes to counter the
effects (usually pain) of a wide variety of medical conditions. For this purpose,
it finds application in treating everyday ailments troubling mankind: neck pain,
arthrosis, myalgia, neuritis, back pain, periarthritis, heaviness in legs, muscle
weakness, just to mention a few.
On an academic level, TENS can be divided into various categories according to
the mechanism used to reduce the pain. The main types are: conventional TENS
(or fast analgesic), training TENS (or delayed analgesic), which is similar to the
effect of the electro acupuncture, TENS at maximum values with antidromic
action and consequently an immediate local anaesthetic effect.
The rehabilitative action of TENS is represented by its power to reduce pain
thereby restoring physiological conditions; most of the time this allows the
patient to regain normal motor function. Consider a patient suffering from
irritating periarthritis; the patient usually resorts to use analgesics or learns to
live with the pain, which often makes even the simplest movements
impossible. Immobility reduces metabolic activity making it impossible to
eliminate allogenic substances. So, a vicious circle begins. In addition to
relieving pain, TENS causes induce muscle stimulation increasing metabolic
activity and blood flow and improving tissue oxygenation with an intake of
nutritional substances. Therefore, the positive effect can be amplified by
combining TENS with muscle stimulation of the area concerned.
Electrodes' positioning and intensity levels
IMPORTANT
Create a square area with the
electrodes over the painful zone.
Keep 4cm minimum distance
between the electrodes.
Figure 1 – Electrodes' positioning.
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