Pain is a daily companion for many of us. Whether due to chronic illnesses, injuries or stress-related tension – pain can significantly impair quality of life. However, the answer doesn't always have to be a pill. Pain therapy with TENS can help you alleviate pain completely without medication and improve your well-being.
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TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and is a form of electrical pain therapy. It is based on the so-called gate-control theory. This theory suggests that the transmission of pain signals in the spinal cord can be inhibited or blocked by electrical impulses.
During TENS therapy, electrical impulses are transmitted through the skin via special electrodes. These impulses affect pain perception by suppressing the transmission of pain signals to the brain. At the same time, they promote the release of the body's own happiness hormones (endorphins), which reduce the sensation of pain. This dual effect makes TENS an effective method to alleviate acute and chronic pain.
TENS is approved as a clinically proven and effective treatment for various types of pain. The great advantage is that TENS is non-pharmaceutical. Therefore, when used correctly, TENS is completely side-effect free and very suitable for self-therapy. With its flexibility and simple usability, it allows those affected to play an active role in their own pain treatment.
Drug-free: TENS is a safe alternative or supplement to conventional painkillers. Unlike some medications, there is no risk of habituation or dependency with TENS. Therefore, pain therapy with TENS can be used in the long term without its effectiveness diminishing.
Side-effect free: Compared to many other pain therapies, TENS is non-invasive and is side-effect free when used correctly. This makes it particularly suitable for those looking for a gentle alternative to medications.
Individually adjustable: The intensity and frequency of the electrical impulses can be individually adjusted to meet the user's needs. This allows for personalised pain therapy.
Applicable anytime and anywhere: Small and practical, TENS therapy devices can be used practically anywhere, at any time and is simple and safe enough to use at home
Versatile areas of application: TENS can be used for various types of pain and at different parts of the body. The wide range of applications makes TENS a flexible solution for your pain therapy.
To be sure TENS is right for your medical condition, you should first speak to your doctor or physiotherapist. They can also give you advice on the respective benefit of TENS self-therapy.
TENS is clinically tested and approved for the following applications:
TENS therapy can also help with fibromyalgia, the fibre-muscle pain syndrome.
Fibromyalgia refers to a chronic pain disease that extends throughout the body. The cause and origin are unclear, which means the persistent pain can only be alleviated, not cured. Therapy with TENS is a possible, but not guaranteed method for reducing pain in fibromyalgia. If and how effective TENS treatment works cannot be predicted in individual cases. However, as TENS is free from side-effect, it could be worth a try as an alternative to chronic drug pain therapy.
A TENS device can be used on various parts of the body for pain therapy:
How often and how long you should use a TENS device depends on the type and intensity of the pain. To achieve the best possible effect, we recommend regular application. Before you start TENS therapy at home, you should consult a doctor or physiotherapist. They can help you determine the most effective method of application and dosage.
A TENS EMS stimulator combines two different but interconnected approaches to electrotherapy: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS). Both methods use electrical impulses to achieve positive effects on the body.
TENS refers to the stimulation of nerves by electrical impulses through the skin. The application is used for pain therapy for various types of pain, such as injury pain or chronic pain.
Mode of action: The pain-relieving effect is achieved, among other things, by suppressing the transmission of pain to the brain. In addition, the release of the body's own endorphins is increased, thus reducing the sensation of pain.
EMS, electrical muscle stimulation, has been used in sports and rehabilitation medicine for years and is used to increase endurance performance, strengthen muscles and accelerate muscle regeneration.
Mode of action: In EMS, the electrical impulses stimulate the muscle parts. Similar to a natural activation, the muscle fibres contract and relax again. The application can lead to an increase in the performance of muscle groups and an adaptation of body proportions.
Due to the similar mode of operation based on electrotherapy, you will find multifunctional stimulators that are suitable for both drug- and side-effect free pain relief (TENS) and muscle stimulation (EMS). They can be used flexibly on various parts of the body. Whether after sports for recovery, for back or joint complaints for pain relief or as accompanying training for muscle building – the TENS EMS combination devices combine the advantages of both applications.
There are TENS devices that can be used universally, while others have been developed for specific parts of the body. Therefore, we recommend that you consider in advance for which type of pain you want to use the TENS device.
Especially for the sensitive and often heavily stressed joints, Beurer has developed ergonomically shaped and snug TENS devices. With the perfectly fitting cuffs, pain can be precisely and safely alleviated at the site to be treated. Thanks to a Velcro fastener, they can be ideally adapted to your body shape.
Beurer Healthguide
This advice page was made by Beurer GmbH and is intended to help you feel healthy and happy all round.
The content of the Healthguide is intended to provide assistance and information and can in no way replace the advice of a doctor.
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