Electrotherapy
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (T.E.N.S)
In the 1965 Melzack and Wall published their ground breaking ‘Pain gate control theory’. This provided an explanation for the transmission of pain signals between the brain and body parts. T.E.N.S helps block the transmission of pain signals to the brain by providing an electrical current to act on the ‘pain gate’. It is non-invasive and administered via a small, portable, battery operated device. The electrical current is transmitted to the body via self-adhesive electrode pads. T.E.N.S also increases the release of the body’s naturally occurring pain-relieving hormones (endorphins).It can be used for several hours a day and is helpful in the management of acute (recent) pain following an injury or chronic (longstanding) pain. It can provide a means of pain control which enables an individual to reduce or stop pain medications which may be addictive and/or have unpleasant side effects.
Research regarding the use of T.E.N.S to enhance peripheral nerve recovery:-