The TENS machines are popularized as pain relieving machines that on the one hand stimulate the pain killing hormones of the body and on the other hand block the pain doorways by giving signals to the brain, through the electrical pulses.
The effectiveness of the machines is a subjective issue.
Some people that have benefited from the machines vouch for its effectiveness.
There are however, those people that have not experienced as much relief as is popularized.
Therefore, the effectiveness or the scale of relief provided by the machines varies from person to person.
Can TENS machines be used by everybody? Pains that occur because of problems in joints, nerves or muscles are likely to be relieved by the use of the machine.
Contrary to the medications that have side effects, the machines are virtually free of any side effects.
However, the use of the TENS machine, is restricted and should not be used in the following circumstances: •During pregnancy •People having pacemakers •Certain type of Heart disease •Epilepsy •Cause of the pain is unknown Precautions to be used when using a TENS machine •The electrodes should not be used on broken skin •The electrodes should not be on the abdomen, neck, face, close to the eyes and in the mouth •The machine should not be used while driving or operating any machinery •The machine should never be used while having a bath or a shower, or near any source of water •The TENS machine should not be used over areas that have reduced sensation Working of the machines As the name specifies transcutaneous means 'through the skin', which is the way these machines operate.
The machines therefore works through the skin on which the electrode pads are placed.
Small electric pulses or currents are passed through these electrodes, which in turn pass through the skin.
The pain signals coming from the brain are blocked by the machine due to which a person feels less or no pain.