How the TENS Pain Control Units Work

[Guest guest]

How the TENS Pain Control Units Work

Pain is the body's warning system. It is a way of letting an individual know

that something is wrong. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulations (TENS) is

a safe non-invasive drug-free method of pain management. It relieves pain by

sending small electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin to

underlying nerve fibers. TENS is believed to work by two different mechanisms.

First, electrical stimulation of the nerve fibers can block a pain signal from

being carried to the brain. If the signal is blocked, pain is not perceived.

Secondly, the body has its own mechanism for suppressing pain. It does this by

releasing natural chemicals called endorphins in the brain which act as

analgesics. TENS may activate this mechanism. By effectively managing pain

without drugs, TENS allows many people with chronic pain conditions to resume

daily activity.

You can not strain or sprain your muscles by overworking them with your

electronic muscle stimulator system because the feeling is more like a pleasant

tingling sensation than a shock or jolt.

However, the following should not use electronic muscle stimulators (EMS):

a.. If you are pregnant

b.. If you use a pace maker

c.. If you have metal plates or pins

d.. If you have diabetes

e.. If you have an abnormally high blood pressure

Just as with starting any new exercise program, if in doubt, consult your

physician.

Mark E. Armstrong

www.top5plus5.com

Oregon State Chapter Rep

Pancreatitis Association, International

[Guest guest]

it says you shouldn't use it if you are

diabetic...does anyone know why?

--- " Mark E. Armstrong " wrote:

> How the TENS Pain Control Units Work

>

> Pain is the body's warning system. It is a way of

> letting an individual know that something is wrong.

> Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulations (TENS)

> is a safe non-invasive drug-free method of pain

> management. It relieves pain by sending small

> electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the

> skin to underlying nerve fibers. TENS is believed to

> work by two different mechanisms. First, electrical

> stimulation of the nerve fibers can block a pain

> signal from being carried to the brain. If the

> signal is blocked, pain is not perceived. Secondly,

> the body has its own mechanism for suppressing pain.

> It does this by releasing natural chemicals called

> endorphins in the brain which act as analgesics.

> TENS may activate this mechanism. By effectively

> managing pain without drugs, TENS allows many people

> with chronic pain conditions to resume daily

> activity.

>

> You can not strain or sprain your muscles by

> overworking them with your electronic muscle

> stimulator system because the feeling is more like a

> pleasant tingling sensation than a shock or jolt.

>

>

>

>

> However, the following should not use electronic

> muscle stimulators (EMS):

>

> a.. If you are pregnant

> b.. If you use a pace maker

> c.. If you have metal plates or pins

> d.. If you have diabetes

> e.. If you have an abnormally high blood pressure

> Just as with starting any new exercise program, if

> in doubt, consult your physician.

>

> Mark E. Armstrong

> www.top5plus5.com

> Oregon State Chapter Rep

> Pancreatitis Association, International

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Mark:

I've become so skilled at online research, that I do some for an internist

who, like so many physicians, does not have the time.

I not only find the articles, but I often write synopses for her.

I've also helped with another doctor's speeches.

-E

[Guest guest]

If you have problems with your circulation such as not being able to feel

your extremities.....It could cause problems. I am a diabetic and don't

have the problem with lack of feeling ( there is a clinical word for it but

I can't think of it right now) I use my TENS unit all the time

Mark E. Armstrong

www.top5plus5.com

Oregon State Chapter Rep

Pancreatitis Association, International

Re: How the TENS Pain Control Units Work

> it says you shouldn't use it if you are

> diabetic...does anyone know why?

> --- " Mark E. Armstrong " wrote:

> > How the TENS Pain Control Units Work

> >

> > Pain is the body's warning system. It is a way of

> > letting an individual know that something is wrong.

> > Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulations (TENS)

> > is a safe non-invasive drug-free method of pain

> > management. It relieves pain by sending small

> > electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the

> > skin to underlying nerve fibers. TENS is believed to

> > work by two different mechanisms. First, electrical

> > stimulation of the nerve fibers can block a pain

> > signal from being carried to the brain. If the

> > signal is blocked, pain is not perceived. Secondly,

> > the body has its own mechanism for suppressing pain.

> > It does this by releasing natural chemicals called

> > endorphins in the brain which act as analgesics.

> > TENS may activate this mechanism. By effectively

> > managing pain without drugs, TENS allows many people

> > with chronic pain conditions to resume daily

> > activity.

> >

> > You can not strain or sprain your muscles by

> > overworking them with your electronic muscle

> > stimulator system because the feeling is more like a

> > pleasant tingling sensation than a shock or jolt.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > However, the following should not use electronic

> > muscle stimulators (EMS):

> >

> > a.. If you are pregnant

> > b.. If you use a pace maker

> > c.. If you have metal plates or pins

> > d.. If you have diabetes

> > e.. If you have an abnormally high blood pressure

> > Just as with starting any new exercise program, if

> > in doubt, consult your physician.

> >

> > Mark E. Armstrong

> > www.top5plus5.com

> > Oregon State Chapter Rep

> > Pancreatitis Association, International

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info........great information......

Mark E. Armstrong

www.top5plus5.com

Oregon State Chapter Rep

Pancreatitis Association, International

Re: How the TENS Pain Control Units Work

> Mark:

>

> That's diabetic neuropathy.

>

> Here's what it is, as reported by the NIH:

>

> What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

>

> <<Diabetic neuropathy, a nerve disorder caused by diabetes, is

characterized

> by a loss or reduction of sensation in the feet, and in some cases the

hands,

> and pain and weakness in the feet. The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy,

which

> vary among patients, are often slight at first. In fact, some mild cases

may

> go unnoticed for a long time. The first sign of the disease is usually

> numbness, pain, or tingling in the hands, feet, or legs. After several

years

> this may lead to weakness in the muscles of the feet. Occasionally,

diabetic

> neuropathy can flare up suddenly and affect a specific nerve that may

result

> in double vision or drooping of the eyelid, or weakness and atrophy of the

> thigh muscles. Nerve damage caused by diabetes generally occurs over a

period

> of years and may lead to problems with internal organs including the

> digestive tract and sexual organs. These problems can then tend to cause

> indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, bladder infections, and

> impotence. The loss of sensation in the feet is important as it may

increase

> the possibility of injuries of which the patient is not aware. These foot

> injuries can develop into ulcers or lesions that can become infected. In

some

> cases, ulcers may not heal and amputation may be required.>>

>

> We have a friend who went through it. It hit his colon.

>

>

> -E

>

>

>

>

> PANCREATITIS Association, Intl.

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>

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