Electrical Nerve Stimulation

What is electrical nerve stimulation?

Electrical stimulation is also known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS refers to many types of electrical therapy that are used to relieve pain. It is sometimes called e-stim for short.

When is it used?

Electrical stimulation is often used to reduce pain and sometimes used to promote healing in an injured or diseased part of the body by stimulating the muscles. It is often used as part of a physical therapy program.

How is it used?

Electrodes are placed on the skin near the painful or injured area and attached to a stimulator by flexible wires. Low voltage electrical impulses are delivered to surface nerves in the skin. These impulses can be delivered at variable current strengths, pulse rates and pulse widths. The electrical current overloads the nerves that block the body's pain signals. It may also help the body release endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers.

The goal is to try to find the best frequency and intensity to control their pain. Typically the electrode is placed directly over or near the painful area. The battery-operated unit is portable and can be used at home as well.

What is PENS and IFC?

PENS and IFC are two newer types of electrical stimulation. PENS is percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and IFC is interferential current therapy. These combine electroacupuncture and TENS by using acupuncture-like needle probes as electrodes. The advantage is that they bypass the skin and can deliver the impulse to a more precise area. IFC can treat a larger area or in more complex regions such as the shoulder. It also delivers a higher level of current.

These therapies are non-addictive and can be used to treat acute or chronic pain.

What are the benefits of electrical nerve stimulation?

Some of the benefits are:

• decrease pain over injured area
• possibly improve tissue healing over injured area
• possibly increase muscle strength

What are the risks associated with the procedure?

The risks of this procedure are very minor. Just make sure that the settings on the electrical stimulation are not too high. Also, the electrodes should not be placed over the front or sides of the neck or in areas that have decreased sensation.

You should not have this treatment if you have a pacemaker or if you are pregnant.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Call your healthcare provider if

• You have increased pain.
• You have any change in skin color - like redness or black or blue areas.
• You develop a break in the skin over the area you are treating.

Written by Lee Mancini, MD.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.