Tens: what it is, what it is for, how it is done and types

Tens (from English Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a physiotherapy method that uses electrical impulses to exert analgesic action in the nervous system, helping to treat low back pain, sciatica or tendonitis, for example.

Transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation acts by stimulating sensory nerves, allowing to activate the natural mechanisms of pain control and the release of endogenous opioids, such as encephaline, which has an effect similar to opioid remedies.

The ESS should be performed by a specialized physiotherapist, using different intensities of electrical impulses, according to the condition to be treated.

So that Serve

Transcutaneous electrostimulation (TENS) serves to relieve pain through stimulation of sensory nerves.

This promotes analgesia by activating the specific natural mechanisms of pain relief, such as activation of nerve fibers related to pain control and stimulation of endorphin release.

In addition, IDS promotes muscle stimulation and vasodilation, which favors the reduction of pain, swelling and healing of soft tissue lesions.

When it is indicated

The Tens is suitable for:

• Arthritis;
• Lumbar and/or cervical pain;
• Sciatica;
• Menstrual colic;
• Tendonitis, bursitis or epicondylitis;
• Dislocation or sprain;
• Rheumatism or fibromyalgia;
• Neck pain, knee or bones;
• Diabetic neuropathy.

In addition, the TENs can be indicated to relieve various types of pain caused by endometriosis, post-surgery, sports injuries or cancer, for example.

Do you have to relieve the pain of childbirth?

Tens can be used to relieve childbirth pain, especially lumbar pain, usually indicated when other forms of pain relief were not effective, such as exercises, massage or breathing and relaxation techniques. See the main ways to relieve childbirth pain.

Thus, the TENS can be done by the physiotherapist at any stage of labor, especially at the beginning of labor, being considered a safe method if applied correctly, and without causing changes to the baby.

How it is done

Tens is done by the physiotherapist in specialized clinics or at the person’s house, lasting about 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the intensity of the stimulus.

To perform the Tens, the physiotherapist wants to follow some steps:

1. Apply the electrodes to the clean skin of the region to be treated;
2. Connect the wires to the device and the electrodes;
3. Turn on the device Tens;
4. Rotate the electric impulse button slowly until the person feels a tingling sensation;
5. Maintain electrical stimulation for a few minutes, which varies with the condition to be treated;
6. Turn off the device you have at the end;
7. Disconnect the wires of the device and electrodes;
8. Remove the electrodes from the skin.

Tens is a noninvasive method that does not addict, without risks to health and in most cases does not cause side effects.

Portable tens

The portable device is a small device that has a battery and wires that connect the device to the electrodes on the skin.

This type of device can be purchased in pharmacies or medical products for use at home, with different modes of use and electrical impulses according to the body region to be treated.

Although it can be used at home, the ideal is to have the physiotherapist’s guidance on how to use the portable Tens, as well as the intensity of the electrical impulse to be used, to have more effective pain control.

Types of Tens

The main types of tens are:

1. You have conventional

The conventional Tens uses low -intensity electrical impulses (50 to 80 milliseconds) and high frequency (50 to 100 Hz).

This type of tends stimulates sensory nerves blocking nerve signs of pain that are not sent to the brain and can be used to control acute or chronic pain.

2. Rajadas (Burst)

You have it in gusts (burst) Uses high intensity and high frequency electrical impulses and may cause muscle spasms and can be done for up to 5 minutes.

This type of tends to block the nervous impulse of peripheral nerves or dermatomes, relieving pain longer.

Also read: Dermatomes: what they are, map, where they are (and myotome difference)

tuasaude.com/dermatomos

3. You have brief and intense

The brief and intense tends uses high frequency and high intensity electrical impulses, in shorter periods of time, and may cause some pain in the place, being done for a maximum of 5 minutes.

This type of you block the signs of pain in the peripheral and marrow nerves, being indicated mainly for medical procedures, such as dressing or removal of surgical points.

When it is not indicated

Tens is contraindicated in the following situations:

• Breast-feeding;
• Use of pacemaker;
• Cardiac arrhythmias or deep vein thrombosis;
• Epilepsy;
• Skin places that have changes due to disease or change in sensitivity;
• Application to the belly, pelvic region, hands, feet, legs, knees, shoulders, cheeks or neck.

During pregnancy, the TENs should not be used at the beginning of pregnancy, or in women with a history of epilepsy, irritation in the womb, history of abortion, or if it has complications in current pregnancy.