Lauren Georgeson's Insight

The TENS Unit...

I do not think my life could get any worse right now... Well, it probably could, but I do not even want to think about it!

I just started physical therapy again as I mentioned in a previous blog. I currently go four times a week, which occupies a lot of my time (I missed a lot of school and work this week because of this as well as strep throat)! My back and neck are in terrible condition! There is one thing that makes me feel better though, and it is the T.E.N.S. unit, or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.

What is it? This unit is a pain control treatment, which uses mild, safe electrical signals to help control pain. This machine has the power to work miracles.

How does it work you ask? This device lessens pain by sending painless electrical impulses through electrodes (sticky patches) placed on the skin. The electrical signals travel from the TENS unit through wires to the electrodes. The signal then passes to the nerves under the skin. These nerves take messages to the brain about what they feel, such as touch, warmth, pressure, and pain. TENS signals can replace the message of pain on these nerves with a tingling sensation. This changes your impression of the pain. The TENS signals may also increase the amount of endorphins, which are pain-relieving chemicals made naturally by your body, in your body.

When I was in physical therapy for the first time last year, my therapist actually gave me one to try out at home. It was horrible! I could not find the time to do this treatment. It was very hard for me to relax at home because I was constantly thinking of all this stuff I could be doing. It was very hard for me to find the exact pain spots where I should place the patches. Then, I always forgot to turn off the machine before I removed the sticky patches and would shock myself! It was much more relaxing just to have my therapist do it at the facility with all the proper knowledge and gear.

My therapist uses this device on me every visit. She places the sticky patches where I feel the most pain on that particular day. Then, she adjusts the control knobs making the signal either strong or weak. I usually get mine extremely strong, since I am in a lot of pain. I did not know what to think about the feeling at first, but after half an hour, the tingling really started to relax me. I usually fall asleep because it is so relaxing. After the treatment, I almost feel worse, but as the day goes on, I can tell my pain lessens.

Anyway, the point of this blog is just to explain a device I am currently using and the amazing technology that goes along with it. Who ever thought of using electrical signals to control pain? I want to thank whoever did!