How 'TEns' Works - TensCare Alivia Manual Del Usuario

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8. HOW 'TENS' WORKS

T.E.N.S. stands for Transcutaneous
Electrical Nerve Stimulation. T.E.N.S.
stimulates your body's own natural
defences against pain, namely the
release of endorphins. TENS is totally
safe and has been used successfully by
thousands of pain sufferers.
TENS sends a gentle stimulation
through the skin which works in
TWO ways:
Pain Gate
It stimulates the
sensory nerves,
which carry touch
and temperature
signals. These
nerves go to the
same connections
in the spine as the
nerves carrying pain. A strong sensory
signal will block the pain signal
travelling up the spine to the brain. This
is known as closing the "Pain Gate" and
takes effect quite quickly after the unit
is switched on. When the gate is open,
pain messages get through to the brain
and we feel pain. When the gate is
closed, these pain messages are
blocked and we do not feel pain.
Evidence suggests that TENS produce
pain relief in a similar way to 'rubbing
the pain better'. The pain gate can be
closed by
mechanoreceptors through 'rubbing the
skin'.
activation of
Scientifically, the pain gate works by
release of chemical in the synapse at
spinal level that inhibits transmission of
pain signal.
Endorphin Release
At low frequency
settings, and
slightly stronger
outputs, TENS
drives the motor
nerves to produce
a small repetitive
muscle
contraction. This is seen by the brain as
exercise, and this promotes the release
of endorphins - your body's own natural
pain killer. The relief builds up and
normally takes about 40 minutes to
reach a maximum level which can last
for hours after the machine is switched
off.
By using TENS, you can expect to
achieve a significant reduction in pain -
if not complete relief from pain.
• TENS is effective for pain from a very
wide range of causes.
• TENS machines can be used to help
reduce pain from
muscles, joints and nerves.
• It can be also used for people with
musculoskeletal pain such as long-
term (chronic) back pain or knee joint
arthritis. They are also often used for
pain relief in the early stages of
labour (see perfect mamaTENS),
particularly whilst a pregnant woman
remains at home.
• TENS may also be used to treat
many types of pain, such as migraine
headaches, period
endometriosis (see Ova+), cystitis,
11
problems in
pain and