TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a non drug way of relieving pain in joints and muscles and some types of chronic pain. Acute pain can also be treated with TENS and is usually combined with other treatments or exercises. Using this means of pain relief is safe and effective.

How Does TENS Work?

Electrical stimulation is delivered by the machine to nerves in the skin, hence the name ‘transcutaneous’. These stimulations are pain free and do not have any side effects. They in turn then stimulate nerve fibers that are in the nerve endings in the skin and block the transmission of pain signals to the brain. In addition an increase in the production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, is also increased and the skin becomes warmer which helps to increase mobility and decrease stiffness.

How Do you use a TENS Machine?

Patches are attached to the skin and the TENS machine, called a stimulator, creates the current which is directed through the patches. The base units are battery powered and portable and the patches vary in size depending on where they are to be used. For instance a specially designed patch that is long and thin can be used on the lower back. The person using the machine is in complete control of the level of stimulation.

Which Types of Pain do TENS Machines Work On?

Pain in the lower back, arthritis, joint, muscle and nerve pain. It is not effective for all pain and the degree of relief varies from person to person. It is not suitable for headaches, chest or abdominal pain. You should always consult a doctor or other medical practitioner before use as some people, for example those with a pacemaker or who suffer from epilepsy should not use TENS.

How Should you Adjust the Stimulation?

The intensity of the stimulation should be determined by starting with a low intensity and increasing it until an effective level is reached. The amount of stimulation varies with the location of the pain and the individual who is using the machine. Pain relief lasts after the machine is turned off and most people will use the machine for around 30 minutes at a time once or twice a day.

Can TENS be Used During Labor?

TENS can be used for pain relief during labor and many hospitals have TENS units for hire. It should be used before labor becomes too intense to stimulate the release of endorphins which help to relieve the pain. Usually four electrodes are place on the back and connected to the machine.

The woman in labour controls the device and can increase the stimulation as needed. TENS is used in two ways during labor. A low pulse rate is used to encourage endorphin stimulation between contractions and a high pulse rate to block the pain is used during a contraction.

Conclusion

If you have chronic pain and would like a drug free method of relief the use of a TENS machine could be ideal for you.

There are many various forms of hernias that individuals will suffer from and each one is considered to be quite irritating and even severe now and again. There are distinct ways of repairing them and one unusual method was the usage of the kugel mesh patch. However, this was proven to be a problem that numerous physicians made and it was soon to have known side effects that would make the hernia worse rather then better.

When individuals began observing the side effects that were evidently being caused by the patch the Food and Drug Administration commenced to withdraw them to ensure that no more individuals suffered from it. The part of the patch that does not function is called the ‘memory recoil ring’. This has been known to break and when this takes place it will induce serious side effects.

Bowel Obstruction

This problem is a total or partial obstruction of the intestines. There are many things that are able to cause this include hernias, tumors, medications, gallstones, scar tissue, and also foreign objects within the body like the patch. This problem can cause the person profound stomach pain, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. If it is goes untreated it is able to cause bowel perforation, gangrene, and an infection.

Chronic Enteric Fistulas

This is a connection that is made between the two sections of the intestine. The most common symptom is intense abdominal pain - but there are a few who suffer more serious symptoms. It is manageable for the opening of the fistula to close while the others are opened up. When this happens it will make the contents of the bowel to accumulate to large amounts. This has the power to create an infection that can travel into the blood stream.

Bowel Perforation

When there is an opening in the intestinal wall everything that is being held inside will be pushed into the abdominal cavity. This condition is able to cause severe stomach pain, high fever, and vomiting. When it is not addressed it can induce sepsis and a blood infection that can be potentially lethal. Reports have shown that close to seven patients that have utilized the kugel mesh patch have hurt from this condition.