Emergency Medicine Education
Good Health Blog

Portable TENS Units for Arthritis

Posted by Elroy Santos in About Joint Diseases

Portable TENS units are a devices that can be used to control chronic pain. It can be used for a wide variety of chronic conditions including arthritis. There have been numerous studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of these devices, and you may even have your doctor recommend that you try one.

What is TENS?

TENS represents transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. The device uses a mild electrical signal to induce the nerves and prevent pain signs from reaching the brain. Using a TENS machine is not painful and does not require surgery, drugs or the insertion of any needles. There are also no known side effects. For these reasons it is becoming a popular form of pain control.

Who Uses Them?

TENS units are widely used by healthcare practitioners. They are recommended by doctors, pain clinics, physiotherapists and sports therapists. These devices are relatively inexpensive to purchase or you may be able to borrow one from a pain clinic.

Are Portable TENS Units Easy to Use?

The device consists of a small box which is connected to small electrodes by some wires. The electrodes are put onto the skin and the battery operated TENS unit is then turned on. The low-level electricity produces a tingling sensation, but it is not painful. Some devices allow you to clip them to your belt so that you can use them throughout the day. There are no complicated instructions, so most people find them easy to use.

You may want to consider getting a portable TENS unit if you are frustrated by the thought of living constantly with arthritic pain. It can be a valuable addition to the different strategies that you can use for pain control. For many people this therapy has proved to give much needed relief from chronic pain.

-----------------------------------------