Electrotherapy provides pain relief without medication or surgery.

What is pain?
Pain is the body's natural warning system and is intended to prevent additional injury. Pain is important because without it, vital parts of our body might be damaged or injured without our knowledge. Long-lasting persistent pain, however, (often called chronic pain) once diagnosed serves no apparent purpose. It can ruin a person's ability to be productive and enjoy life.

How is chronic pain treated?
Chronic pain has been treated with ointments, surgery and drugs with varying degrees of success. Since each person and pain condition is different, no single treatment will work best for everyone. Many of these treatments have harmful side effects. Drugs can cause dependency, while surgery carries its own risk. Electrotherapy on the other hand offers a unique alternative method to pain relief.

Electrotherapy Devices

TENS

MENS

INF

High Voltage

NMS Stimulators

Combination

What is TENS?

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) is a type of electrotherapy equipment that works by sending small electrical pulses through the skin via ten unit electrodes to the underlying peripheral nerves. TENS is thought to work in two ways. First, "high frequency" continuous, mild, electrical activity blocks the pain signal traveling to the brain. Brain cells perceive pain. If the pain signal does not get through to the brain, the pain is not "felt." The second way is by stimulating the body's own natural pain-control mechanism. "Low frequency" or short bursts of mild electrical activity cause the body to release its own pain easers called beta endorphins.

Are TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) devices safe?

YES. Although the thought of electrical impulses being sent into the body may seem frightening at first, all you really feel is a slight vibrating sensation through the tens unit electrode. Unlike many drugs, TENS devices have no known side effects and there are many tens unit electrodes to choose from for varying skin types.

Who can't use TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) devices?

Individuals with a pacemaker or patients who are pregnant should not use a TENS device. Consult your doctor or clinician first to find out if this type of electrotherapy equipment is right for you.

Will a TENS device work for me?

It depends on your specific pain problem. TENS devices have been successfully used to treat many pain conditions.
Chronic Pain/Acute Pain

Cervical (neck) Post-operative Amputation Muscle and joint Arthritis

Phantom limb Tendonitis Headache Fractures Sciatica

Lower back Tennis elbow Lumbago Leg pain

 

Is a TENS device difficult to use?

No. A TENS device is about the same size as a transistor radio and is about as easy to use. Your doctor or clinician will instruct you on how to use your TENS device and how to apply the TENS unit electrodes. You may have to make minor adjustments from time to time, but this is easily done.

How expensive are TENS devices?

When compared with the cost of surgery or continuing expense of drug therapy, a TENS device is a very cost-effective means of treatment.

Does my insurance policy cover the cost of purchasing a TENS device?

Because TENS treatment is a proven method for pain relief, most insurance carriers pay for the rental or purchase of this type of electrotherapy equipment.

How long will I have to use my TENS device?

Depending upon your condition, TENS devices can be rented for short periods of time (post-operative pain) or purchased by patients who will use the device for the rest of their life.

What is Microcurrent?

Where TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is used for the relief of pain, Microcurrent, because of its close proximity to our own body's current, is thought to work on a more cellular level.

It is theorized that healthy tissue is the result of direct flow of electrical current throughout our body. Electrical balance is disrupted when the body is injured at a particular site, causing the electrical current to change course. The use of Microcurrent over the injured site is thought to realign this flow, thus aid in tissue repair.

It has been found that ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) in the cell helps promote protein synthesis and healing. The lack of ATP due to trauma of the tissue results in the decreased production of sodium and an increase in metabolic wastes, which is perceived as pain. The use of Microcurrent at an injured area helps realign the body's electrical current, increase the production of ATP, resulting in increased healing and recovery, as well as blocking the pain that is perceived.

What is INF?

Interferential Therapy works by sending small electrical impulses through the skin. These impulses stimulate underlying nerves and tissue reducing pain, edema and inflammation. This, in return, reduces or eliminates the need for most pain-related drugs.

Interferential Therapy was first introduced over forty years ago. Due to the size and design of the clinical unit, Interferential Therapy has been traditionally applied in hospitals or clinics.

The "portability" and "ease of use" of current systems changes this aspect and makes it possible to introduce Interferential Therapy to the home.

Applications
Interferential Therapy is used in the treatment of circulatory disorders, range of motion, edema and muscle spasms. Post-op patients will use the device 3 times a day for 15 minutes over a period of 14 - 30 days.

Advantages
Since Interferential Therapy has been in use for many years, its effectiveness is well documented. Studies have shown that patients using Interferential Therapy after surgery develop fewer post-op complications than those relying solely on narcotics for pain relief. Interferential stimulation does not cause respiratory depression. Interferential Therapy aids in circulation, increasing the recovery time for patients. Multiple treatments at home or work will typically speed the patient's recovery and allow earlier resumption of their normal lifestyle.

What Is High Voltage?

High Volt Pulsed Stimulation (HVPS) is electrical stimulation that is used for the prevention or retardation of muscle spasm; muscle reeducation; maintaining and increasing the range of motion; increasing local blood circulation and as an immediate post-surgical simulation of calf muscles to prevent venous thrombosis. The device is also used to treat wounds.

What Is An NMS Stimulator?

NeuroMuscular Stimulation is a type of electro-stimulation unit known by many names in the industry such as e-stim, N.M.E.S., NMS, electrical muscle stimulator, etc. all of these words correspond to a unit providing electro stimulation used for the prevention or retardation of muscle spasm; muscle reeducation; maintaining and increasing the range of motion; increasing local blood circulation or as an immediate post-surgical stimulation of calf muscles to prevent venous thrombosis.

The NeuroMuscular Stimulator (e-stim, N.M.E.S., NMS,) is a form of electro-stimulation that concerns both nerves and muscles. Therefore the stimulators in this electro-stimulation category are used to stimulate the underlying nerves to elicit a muscle contraction.

What Are Combination Units?

As the name implies, a Combination Unit is one, which combines multiple stimulation modalities in a single device.  Modalities such as TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator), NMES (Neuro Muscular Electrical Stimulator), INF (Interferential Stimulator), and HVPS (High Volt Pulsed Stimulator), can be used individually, or set up in a sequence to provide a total treatment regimen.