Where do I place the pads for Back Pain?
Back Pain. Two words that almost every single person in the world above the age of 25 has experienced at one time or another. It can come on suddenly and out of nowhere; it can last for days, weeks, months, or even become a chronic condition and stay with people 24/7/365. For anyone that has ever experienced this, you know it is a feeling you would not wish upon your worst enemy. There truly is an upper and lower back pain epidemic in the world today that millions suffer from.
Most of the time, back pain will resolve in a couple of days or weeks but that time can feel like an eternity. And, unfortunately, some people’s symptoms will not improve and they will end up undergoing a variety of tests (MRIs, CT scans, bone scans, etc) and possibly even resorting to some form of surgical procedure.
The causes are numerous and can be anything from arthritis to bulging/ruptured discs to muscle strains from heavy lifting. One can even experience back pain from stress. Regardless of the cause, there is a very popular and effective treatment for many types of back pain: TENS therapy.
How can a TENS unit help with back pain?
A portable TENS unit (click here if you are unfamiliar with what these electrotherapy devices are) is a great non-invasive, drug-free treatment for all types of back pain. These can be worn on basically any part of the back and are designed to combat both acute and chronic back pain. The most common areas are lower back pain, upper back pain between the shoulder blades, and upper middle back pain. A TENS machine can be used anytime you are in pain and typically 10-30 minutes is all that is needed to experience noticeable relief. The amount of relief one will experience is different for everyone, but on average, most people will find themselves using the machine a couple times a week (however it is safe to use every day). Pad placement is easy and intuitive: electrode pads are placed in the area where you are experiencing pain. The one area you want to avoid when using a tens unit on the back is directly on the spine, which typically feels uncomfortable.
Proper Electrode Placement When Using a TENS Unit for the Back
As mentioned above, the tens unit pads can be placed virtually anywhere on the back. A general rule is to place the first electrode pad directly where you are feeling pain. The second pad is needed to complete the circuit and can be placed horizontally or vertically from the first pad. If you are experiencing general lower back pain, you will want to place a pad on each side of the spine (see illustration below). If the pain is isolated and in one area, then you can place the second pad directly next to the first pad or just above or below the first pad (see illustration).
Check out our tens unit reviews and consider purchasing a unit from Utopia Gear to help manage your pain. The reviews reflect our high level of customer service as well as the superior products we sell. And if you already have a TENS unit and want to experience a modern device that is not only TENS but also electronic muscle stimulation(more of a pleasant feeling), order here. We are here to answer any questions you may have. Email us at customerservice@utopiagear.com or call us anytime at 888-237-4997.
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