Hydas AD-2021 Instrucciones Servicio página 19

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1 | Introduction
1.1 | Theory of therapy
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-invasive tech-
nique in which a low-voltage electrical current is delivered through wires from
a small power unit to electrodes located on the skin. Electrodes are tempora-
rily attached with paste in various patterns, depending on the specific con-
dition and treatment goals. TENS is often used to treat pain, as an alternative
or addition to pain medications. Therapy sessions may last from minutes to
hours. The use of electrical stimulus for pain relief was popularized in the 19th
century and became widespread in the 1960s and 1970s using battery power.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was first introduced into
current clinical practice following Melzack and Wall's gate control theory of
pain in 1965. Davis (1993) and Lewith (1984) explain the gate control theory
of pain as follows. An area of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, known as the
substantia gelatinosa, acts as a gate to nociceptive impulses. It receives myeli-
nated nerve fibres , the largest being A fibres, and small non-myelinated nerve
fibres (C fibres). If pain impulses pass along fine myelinated fibres and C fibres
rather than along A fibres, the gate is opened, and the patient perceives pain.
If A fibre transmission of impulses is greater, the gate may be closed.
There is also evidence that the TENS machine enhances the production of the
body's own natural pain killing substances: endorphins and encephalins. Hu-
man body produces endorphins and encephalins, which are opiate-like sub-
stances to counter the pain. Low frequency stimulation causes the release of
the endorphins and encephalins.
1.2 | Why consider digital pain relief?
Pain is a warning signal -we need these signals to tell us that something may
be wrong with our body. Without it, we may do not know that part of our body
might be damaged, thereby damaging them further. However, once we have
identified damage, pain serves little purpose. In the case of chronic, regular
pain it can significantly interfere with daily activities and the quality of life.
1.3 | How does the Digital Pain Relief (TENS) work??
Digital Pain Relief (TENS) works by passing harmless electrical signals into the
body from its pads. This relieves pain in two ways:
- Firstly, it blocks the body's pain signals. These are normally transmitted
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