Side Effects of Using a TENS Unit
Have you thought about using a TENS unit to provide pain relief? This form of pain management has actually been around for over forty years, so this isn’t a new method for therapeutic treatment. TENS stands for “transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation” which is a mouthful to say and exactly why it’s shortened to just “TENS” in most electrotherapy descriptions.
The whole concept is using a device for pain relief. These portable stimulators can, with a low frequency, stimulate the nerves to hopefully provide some relief. When you suffer from various types of pain, TENS therapy can possibly be a game changer for you. If you are worried about potential side effects with a TENS unit, let’s get all of those worries out in the open so you can make a more informed decision about using this physical therapy device to your benefit.
Let Our Staff Answer any Questions You May Have
At UtopiaGear, we are more than happy to have our customer service staff answer any and all questions you have about using an e-stim machine. Feel free to call or email us anytime before you make your decisions about which product to purchase.
A Little More About how a TENS Machine Works
The way that these machines work is by using electrode pads. Those pads are placed on your body where you are experiencing the pain and then the machine sends electric pulses through the device to the electrode pads. Then they stimulate the nerves with different wave patterns. It contracts and relaxes the muscles in a pleasant way. Keep in mind this is a low-frequency wave pattern, so you don't have to worry about overdoing the treatment, if you use it properly. Considered non-invasive electrostimulation,stim machines are something that’s been used by physical therapists, chiropractic establishments, and in-home use for many years now and is considered a safe, low risk device.
Possible Side Effects
Let’s get to the potential side effects, which are mainly an issue if the device isn’t used properly. Most people safely use the pulse stimulator without any issues or difficulties at all. The side effects mainly come from overuse of the machine. The ideal usage of the machine, which is outlined in our FAQ section of the website, is up to 2-3 times per day for 10-30 minutes each session. You can go as long as 60 minutes per session if needed, but most users will find that 20 minutes is plenty. All of our stimulators here at Utopia Gear have a default timer of 20 minutes, which will shut off automatically when the timer expires. The only potential side effect you might experience is a little soreness if you use the device for longer than recommended. That’s all there is to it, just one possible side effect of using the therapy. So there really aren’t “side effects” to worry about. If you do experience a little soreness the day after, just ease up on your sessions going forward until you get used to using the device and find the time frame that works best for you.
A Note on Skin Irritations
The only other aspect to think about is the placement of the electrode pads. You don’t want to put them on skin that is irritated, broken, or inflamed. If you experience minor skin irritation from the pads, just make sure you are keeping them clean and replacing them when needed. The accessory pads are available in a number of different sizes to best suit your needs. It’s estimated in studies done that only 2-3 % of people experience an adverse reaction to the adhesive on the pads or the material the pads are made of. Be sure to clean them on a regular basis with a swipe of alcohol or by using a baby wipe. Always place the pads back on the protective film after each use so they stay adhesive for you, easily attaching to the skin. You don't want any dust, dirt, or debris to reduce the adhesive quality.
Do you feel more informed about possible side effects you may experience when using a TENS unit? We hope so, but it’s worth mentioning again that we at UtopiaGear are more than happy to answer any questions you might have before you make your purchase or anytime after. We’re always here for you so that using a stimulator to your benefit is a terrific experience all around.
Be sure to check out our reviews to see why people prefer our TENS machines over the competition. And whether you already have a device and want to upgrade or looking to purchase your first TENS unit and want to make sure you receive a high quality device at a reasonable price, then go directly here and you will not be disappointed.
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