Can the TENS unit help you manage the arthritis pain? The TENS unit can surely reduce the pain and suffering of arthritis. The medications may make the condition bearable, but Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy has proved to bring relief in pain and improve the movement of the joints.
It works equally well for Acute as well as chronic pain of the joints.
Approved by USFDA as being one of the effective pain management techniques, you should use it to get relieved of the painful arthritis condition.
It is a very convenient, effective, self-administered, economical, and safe way to relieve joint pains.
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Arthritis is a medical condition where one or more than one joint of the body is inflamed, accompanied by severe pain. It generally affects the knees but can manifest in any joint. Out of the very large types of arthritis, the two most common are
- The Osteoarthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
A considerable number of people worldwide have arthritis. Generally, it occurs after the age of 65, and women are more prone to it. In some cases, children and youth may also suffer from this malady.
The major symptoms of arthritis are;
- Mild to severe pain in the joints.
- Swelling in and around the joints
- Stiffness of joints which can restrict the range of movement.
- The skin around the joints becomes red.
- Joint deformity in severe cases.
- Further, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, there is a loss of appetite, weakness, and anemia.
What are the common causes of arthritis?
In the case of Osteoarthritis, the primary cause is wear and tear of the joint because of age. The cartilage is a connective tissue of the bones in the joint, and it imparts strength to the joints. The breakdown of this cartilage results in Osteoarthritis.
This cartilage swells up, accompanied by loss of proteoglycans, and other cells. The cartilage develops pits and fissures, and in advanced stages, it loses its elasticity. It can get severely damaged, and the joint bones are unprotected and under immense stress. The synovial membrane, which provides nutrition to the cartilage, is also affected, and this further aggravates the condition.
Genetics plays an essential role in Rheumatoid arthritis. The immune system of the body attacks the tissues of the joint and degrade them. The Synovial tissue gets affected, and the nutrition to the cartilage disrupts, resulting in degeneration of the cartilage.
Inflammation occurs in the case of Rheumatoid arthritis—the inflamed sac surrounding the joint wrecks the collagen and the cartilage. Subsequently, the space in the joint gets reduced and damages the bones.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
The symptoms of arthritis are very pronounced and give a fair indication. But a doctor physically checks the joints and the fluid around the joint to diagnose arthritis.
A Rheumatologist is better disposed to diagnose arthritis. The presence of antiCCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides), RF(Rheumatoid factor), and ANA (antinuclear antibody) in the blood and joint fluid is a positive indication of arthritis.
X rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Computed tomography scan of the joints and cartilages detect the presence of arthritis.
How can a TENS unit help with arthritis?
Medicines and drugs help bear arthritis, but the pain can be relieved with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy. It is very effective in case of chronic pain as well as acute pain of arthritis.
It jams the pain signals from reaching the brain and assists the secretion of natural pain relievers-endorphin and encephalins.
The TENS is a battery-operated portable unit, which sends a modulated electrical pulse through the electrode pads to the peripheral nerves in the affected area.
Pain is the most significant discomfort in arthritis, and the TENS unit relives it to a considerable extent. With relief in pain, the movement of the joint also frees up to a substantial extent.
The TENS therapy goes well, along with medication and other medical treatments.
In case you are using the TENS unit for the first time;
- Clean the area around the affected joint thoroughly.
- Dry it well.
- Place the electrode pads around the painful joints at least an inch apart.
- Secure them with medical tape (micropore tape)
- Connect the pads to the unit with the connecting wires.
- Set the unit at the lowest setting and put it on.
- You will feel a tingling sensation at the joint.
- Raise the setting to experience strong impulse, but it should not be uncomfortable.
- Do not set it too high. The higher setting does not mean quick relief.
- The therapy can last for around 30 minutes at one sitting
- You can go for four to five sessions a day.
- Always read the instruction manual of your TENS unit and follow the procedure mentioned therein.
- After the session, first, switch off the unit and then detach the electrode pads from the unit.
- Peel the electrode pads off the skin.
- Wipe it and store it in the given pouch.
Be advised that using the TENS unit as per instructions, will not have any side effects. In case of any discomfort, please consult your doctor immediately.
TENS is an alternative to pain killers
The TENS unit for arthritis is an excellent alternative to pain killers. Prolonged use of pain killers may lead to long term ill-effects and complications like acidity and ulcers.
TENS therapy is non-invasive, non- pharmacological, and hence there is no threat of any long term complications. Regular use of TENS therapy may reduce your intake of pain killers, and eventually, you may be able to stop it altogether.
Arthritis of any kind is a harrowing experience, but you do not have to bear with the pain. Adopt the technological innovation of TENS therapy and lead a close to normal life.
Many patients throughout Europe and the USA have resorted to this pain management technique with very positive results.
In consultation with a medical practitioner, you can always get it across the counter from any pharmacy or order one online.