Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
About the TENS Unit
The TENS Unit is effective for a variety of health conditions, including:
- Incontinence
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Migraines
Benefits of the TENS Unit include:
- Effective for pain control and pain management
- Proven to provide fast pain relief for many people
- No side effects
- Low risk compared to medicine, drugs and invasive surgery
What is TENS?
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is an electronic device that produces electrical impulses to stimulate nerves across unbroken skin.
It is considered an effective method to relieve pain and inflammation.
The TENS unit is placed on the skin with the help of two or more electrodes. This unit is battery operated and comprises a pulse generator, small transformer, intensity and frequency controls and a number of electrodes.
The way the electrodes are placed on the skin determines how nerves are stimulated. The intensity and frequency of electrode signals to be administered depends on the intensity of the health problems and varies from patient to patient.
How TENS Helps
TENS is particularly useful if you are suffering from:
- Pain or inflammation
- Nerve pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Back pain
- Pelvic pain
- Shoulder pain
- Sports injuries
- Menstrual pain
- Labour pain
- Aching joints
- Migraines
Therapists make use of the small device known as TENS unit which produces electrical signals through the pads placed on the skin to the affected nerves.
These signals or pulses are controlled by the patients at all times and stop the pain signals that go the brain.
TENS also helps the body produce higher quantities of natural healing chemicals called endorphins and enkephalins.
TENS is recommended by many physiotherapy experts, sports professionals and coaches, pain management clinics, doctors and medical practitioners.
Coverage Options
pt Health therapy services are covered by most extended health insurance companies and in some cases Veterans Affairs and Medicare, such as:
- OHIP (Ontario)
- Alberta Health Care (Alberta)
- Medical Service Plan MSP (British Columbia)
Not sure if you’re covered? No problem. We can help you find out (and usually within the hour). Just call us toll free at 1-866-749-7461.
At pt Health we believe your health should come first. We take care of the paperwork so you can focus on getting better, plus we offer direct insurance billing, saving you time and up front costs.
Ready to feel your best? Schedule an appointment at any one of our convenient locations near you or BOOK ONLINE!
Research
‘The facilitatory impact of the rural social setting’ (2000) is a research body that studied the effectiveness of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. It stated how the therapy can work for 47 agricultural industry workers who suffered from spinal cord injury.