4 Things You Should Never Do With a TENS Unit

Safety should be your first priority when using a TENS unit. And while TENS units are safe and nearly side effect free, it's still possible to misuse them. Misusing your TENS unit is a great way to get yourself hurt.

Safety should be your first priority when using a TENS unit. And while TENS units are safe and nearly side effect free, it's still possible to misuse them. Misusing your TENS unit is a great way to get yourself hurt.

We want your experience with your TENS unit to be safe and enjoyable, so here are four things you should never do with a TENS unit.

Use On Your Head

Most TENS units are not cleared to be used on the head. You should especially not place the electrode pads over your eyelids or over your sinuses as this is very dangerous.

There are some electrotherapy devices that are specifically designed to be used on your head, but most TENS units are not. Consider checking out some of those devices if you're suffering from chronic migraines or other pain on your head. We recommend to have a look to our review page for popular TENS unit products in the market.

Use While Pregnant

Using a TENS unit while pregnant isn't harmful to the mother, but it could harm the unborn child. For this reason, you should avoid using a TENS unit while pregnant.

It is possible to still use a TENS unit while pregnant with the supervision of a health care professional.

Some of the specific things that should never be done are placing the electrodes over the uterus, and should never be used before the third trimester.

Due to the inherent risks, you should really consider just not using a TENS unit while pregnant.

Use With a Pacemaker

Pacemakers rely on electricity to operate and keep your heart rate at a normal rhythm. Using a TENS unit can interfere with the functionality of your pacemaker and disrupt your heart rate, putting your health at severe risk.

The good news is that modern pacemakers can be adjusted so that they can be used with a TENS unit without problems. However, they have to be calibrated for use with a TENS unit.

You must see your healthcare professional if you have a pacemaker and want to use a TENS unit. They will adjust your pacemaker so that you can get treatment safely and offer additional safety and usage advice as well.

Use On Broken Skin Or an Open Wound

You should never place the electrode pads over broken skin or open wounds. They should only be placed on clean and healthy skin.

Placing the electrode pads over unhealthy skin could cause the condition to worsen and prevent the wound from healing properly.

Before placing the electrodes, wipe your skin down with water or some other type of cleaning solution. This will ensure good connectivity and help prevent skin rashes and potential burns from happening.

It only takes a moment to clean the area of skin under the electrode and will save you a lot of pain and frustration. Not to mention it will help the electrode pads last longer and save you money by being able to reuse them.

Article Source - 4 Things You Should Never Do With a TENS Unit

Should I Use TENS or EMS?

If you've been looking for an electrotherapy solution, you might be confused by some of the differences between electrotherapy machines.

One of the most common areas to be confused about are the differences between a TENS machine and an EMS machine.

Is a TENS unit a muscle stimulator? Does an EMS machine offer pain relief?

All your questions about TENS and EMS will be answered so you can make an informed buying decision and get the relief you need.

EMS vs TENS

TENS and EMS (Electronic Muscle Stimulator) are not interchangeable; they offer solutions to different problems. They use different frequencies, waveforms, and programs to achieve their results. Which one you choose will depend on the symptoms you're suffering from.

TENS units are used for pain relief. The device sends electrical signals directly to your body's nerve cells, and those signals disrupt your nerve cells' ability to send pain signals to your brain.

TENS units do not stimulate your muscles, nor are they considered as being a massager. Also, TENS units do not cure the underlying problem. Their only purpose is to provide short-term pain relief to the user. You can read more about "what is a TENS unit" here.

If you want muscle stimulation or a muscle massage, you'll need an EMS machine, also known as an NMES machine.

So, how does an electronic pulse massager work?

An EMS machine stimulates your muscles rather than your nerve cells like a TENS unit. When you use an electrical muscle stimulation therapy, it will force your muscles to rapidly contract and relax.

This makes it the ideal solution for those whose muscles are atrophying, need to be strengthened, or are sore.

An EMS machine is not expressly designed as a pain relief device; though it certainly can give you pain relief by relaxing and massaging your sore muscles.

Also unlike a TENS unit, it is actually possible to heal your muscles and get longer and possibly permanent relief. However, this is only for those who need muscular therapy or muscular rehabilitation.

Those who only use an EMS for muscle soreness should not expect permanent results.

If you want even more information on the differences between TENS and EMS, you can read our full page comparison here.

TENS & EMS Combo Units

For some people, the choice between a TENS unit and EMS machine is difficult to make since they might need both capabilities.

Let's say you're suffering from chronic pain and you also want EMS capabilities. Are you doomed to having to buy two different machines? Or worse yet, having to choose one and go without the other?

Luckily, there is a solution for those who want both TENS and EMS capabilities. They're called TENS EMS combo units.

A TENS EMS combo unit is a device that offers the pain relief capabilities of a TENS unit while also being able to provide the muscle stimulation of an EMS machine. You'll be able to save money by buying a two in one device.

Below you can find a couple of popular TENS & EMS machines in the market.

• HealthmateForever T24AB
• Pure Pulse Duo EMS And Tens Combo Device
• HealthmateForever Pro 8AB (You can read a detailed review of this TENS model here)
• InTENSity Twin Stim III - Read more about this product here
• HealthmateForever T24AB
• LG-TEC Combo Unit

Article Source - Should I Use TENS or EMS?

What Is High Frequency Electrotherapy Treatment?

You may be wondering just what is high-frequency electrical stimulation. You've probably heard the term thrown around before and are curious about its potential.

Don't worry if you're confused by technical jargon; this article will explain electrotherapy frequencies to you in a way that's simple and easy to understand.

All electrotherapies send electrical currents into your skin. However, they don't all act the same way. Simply put, a higher frequency current will penetrate deeper into your skin.

High-frequency currents in electrotherapy help prevent your body from acclimating to the treatment. Your body is unable to adapt because the current is rapidly turning on and off again.

High-frequency electrotherapy treatment is not necessarily any better or worse than other types of treatments. The only thing that's completely clear is that your body is less resistant to it.

Some people may find that it helps to have the extra level of penetration, and for others, it might not help at all.

Types of Frequencies and Their Ranges

Electrotherapy treatments fall into different frequency ranges. Frequency is a measure in cycles per second, also known as Hertz or Hz.

• Galvanic treatment is the slowest; in fact, it has a frequency of zero, since it produces a constant current and does not cycle at all. Galvanic Electrotherapy is mostly used in the beauty industry to renew old or damaged skin.
• Faradic also known as EMS is next. It has a frequency range of 50 – 100 Hz. EMS is mostly used for muscular therapy and muscle toning. It’s not necessarily a pain relief device, though it can be if you’re experiencing muscle soreness.
• Microcurrent therapy can be the next highest frequency. It has the ability to range from slow to high frequencies, from .1 – 680 Hz. Microcurrents affect your tissues on a cellular level and promote your body’s natural healing response.
• High-Frequency electrotherapy offers the highest frequencies available. This type of therapy falls into the range of 100,000 – 250,000 Hz.

Where Do TENS Units Stand?

TENS units do not offer high-frequency electrical stimulation. Their frequencies typically range from 1 - 250 Hz depending on which model you have.

Are you concerned that TENS machines don’t have high-frequency capabilities? Don’t be.

There is no real evidence that high-frequency electrotherapy works any better, other than its ability to prevent your body from acclimating to the treatment.

However, that is not usually a problem as you won’t be wearing the TENS device for a long enough period of time to acclimate to it.

TENS units have a wide enough frequency range of their own that you can find several frequency settings that you like. In the event that you do acclimate, simply switch to a different frequency. For a review of tens units for home use, check out this comparison page.

TENS units are designed for pain relief, and there is a reason why they function at a lower frequency. If pain relief is your goal, a TENS unit is the safest bet.

Article Source - What Is High Frequency Electrotherapy Treatment?

How Often Can You Safely Use a TENS Unit

Electrotherapy is effective and nearly side effect free, so now you might be wondering how often you can use a TENS unit.

How Long to Use a TENS Unit

How long your sessions last will depend on how quickly you see pain relief. It takes a while for some people, while others report getting relief nearly immediately.

TENS unit sessions are typically between 20 – 30 minutes long because that's how long it takes for most people to get pain relief.

It's possible that it will take longer for you, and it's possible to use it for up to 2 hours at a time depending on the TENS unit.

How Often to Use a TENS unit

How often you use your device depends on how quickly your pain returns. Most people will use their device 2 – 3 times per day, though it's not uncommon to use it more than that.

The instructions that come with your TENS unit will probably say something similar, but it's possible that they recommend different session lengths. You should always read the directions for each device before using it.

Problems arising from overuse of TENS units aren't common, but why risk your health? It's best to follow the instructions for your particular device just to be safe.

Usage Tips

To get the most out of your treatment, here are some TENS unit usage best practices.

• Make sure to clean and dry your skin before attaching the electrodes. This will increase conductivity, increase the lifespan of the TENS unit electrode pads, and decrease skin irritation.
• Place the tens unit pads at least one inch apart. They should never be placed on the head or in a line running along the spine.
• Start your device with the lowest settings. Gradually increase them until you find a comfortable setting. The most effective setting for you might change over time, so remember to experiment.

• Longer Usage

  You might find it inconvenient to have to use a normal TENS unit for several hours per day since you'll have to stay in one location while you receive treatment.

  If you want to be able to move around while receiving the treatment, you'll definitely want to look into wireless portable TENS units.

  Wireless TENS units provide pain relief in the same manner as regular units, but they run on a battery. Wireless units are smaller and more discrete, which means you are able to use them in public without people noticing that you're wearing one.

  The drawback is that the batteries will need to be replaced or recharged often. Also, wireless units typically aren't as powerful and a regular unit. This is ok for moderate pain, but those with severe pain might find them unsatisfactory.

  It would be nice if everyone could use the same settings and a particular length of time worked for everyone, but that's not the case.

  Make sure to do your own research before using a TENS unit. If you're still unsure, talk to your healthcare professional before use.

  Article Source - How Often Can You Safely Use a TENS Unit

TENS Safety: Who Shouldn't Use a TENS Unit?

Before deciding on a TENS unit, you should be aware of potential risks and safety measures you should take.

In general, TENS units are considered a very safe treatment option and are nearly side effect free. Side effects from using TENS units are not very common; however, those with certain conditions should not use them.

Contraindications For Electric Therapy

Those with a Pacemaker or Heart Disease

One of the potential TENS therapy side effects is that it interferes with implanted medical devices. If you have a pacemaker or have heart disease, you should avoid using a TENS unit.

The electrical current from the TENS unit could disrupt the functionality your pacemaker, potentially ruining the pacemaker and putting yourself at risk.

Certain pacemakers are able to be used with a TENS unit, but it's best to talk to your health care professional about that first.

If You Are Pregnant

Another one of the dangers of using electrical muscle stimulation is that pregnant women shouldn't use it.

To clarify, there is actually no risk to the pregnant woman using electrotherapy. However, the effects of electrotherapy on the unborn child are unknown and should be avoided.

It's still possible to use electrotherapy while pregnant under the supervision of a health care professional. But even then, it should never be used before the third trimester and the electrodes should never be placed above the uterus.

Epilepsy

It's possible that the electrical current could trigger and epileptic episode. However, the research around electrotherapy for those with epilepsy is still inconclusive.

Some sources say it's ok, and others say to practice caution. Regardless, most TENS units come with a warning that says it should not be used by epileptics.

To be on the safe side, if you have epilepsy, you should practice caution while using a TENS unit or consider not using it at all.

Pain in Head and Neck

Many people use electrical stimulation to relieve neck pain, but there are some who should never use electrotherapy on their neck. Those are people who suffer from seizures, convulsion’s or blood clots.

Regardless of those conditions, you should never place the electrodes anywhere on your head unless the device is specifically intended for that purpose. If you are suffering from migraine, check out the Cefaly TENS unit which is specially designed for headaches and migraine pain

Lymphedema

Those suffering from Lymphedema should not use a TENS unit.

TENS treatment affects the circulatory system and potentially cause problems for the lymphatic system and cause even more fluid retention.

Additionally, Lymphedema can cause skin swelling and compromise the skin's integrity. TENS units should only be used on healthy skin.

Conclusion

If you aren't dealing with any of the above conditions, TENS units can be a great way to get safe and effective pain relief.

Buying your first TENS unit can be tricky, especially if you're unfamiliar with electrotherapy. There are many models with many different features out there.

We recommend checking out our reviews page for information on the best and most popular TENS units. Your experience with TENS units will be much better if you have one that matches your particular needs.

Article Source - TENS Safety: Who Shouldn't Use a TENS Unit?

How to Choose a TENS Unit For Your Needs

If you ask people what the best TENS unit is, all of them will give you different answers. Everyone is different, and as such, the best TENS unit for you will depend on your specific needs.

Here are some suggestions for TENS units that are best for certain uses.

Choosing The Right Tens Unit For You

Full Control

Not all TENS units allow for in-depth customization. So if you're a person who likes to have full control you should choose a TENS unit that comes with those capabilities.

Some of the things you should be able to customize are channels, intensity, time, mode, and program.

People respond better to different settings, so you'll be able to get even better pain relief by being able to dial in the exact settings that work well for you.

If customization is important to you, we recommend the TENS 7000. You can read our full review here.

Mobility

If using a TENS unit at home isn't enough for you, then you need a wireless TENS device. A wireless TENS unit will give you the mobility you need.

Wireless TENS units are small, discrete, and battery powered. This makes them really effective for use away from home. You can use them at work, on the road, or while doing physical activities without anyone noticing them.

The drawback is that they typically aren't as powerful as regular TENS devices and don't have as many customization options. You can read our review of the best wireless TENS units here.

Budget

If you're on a tight budget and don't have a lot of money to spend but still want to use TENS for pain management, you're in luck. There are plenty of cheap but still effective units available, some of them even starting from as low as $20.

Here are three models that will give you pain relief without breaking the bank. In fact, all three of these models are under $50.

• TENS 7000
• TruMedic PL-009 - The full review of this affordable tens device can be read here
• Omron Pain Relief Pro

High Roller

If the price isn't a concern or if you just want the best TENS unit on the market, then we recommend the T24AB2 Healthmateforever Tens Unit & Muscle Stimulator. You can read more about Healthmateforever here.

This is a top of the line TENS unit. It is completely touchscreen, a large backlit LCD display, rechargeable battery, and can control up to 8 pads simultaneously.

This is an ideal device for those who truly want the best pain relief that money can buy. You won't be able to find pain relief much better than this.

Multi-Purpose

What if you want more than just a TENS unit? You'll want a TENS unit with electronic muscle stimulation capabilities.

EMS targets your muscles, rather than the nerve cells like a TENS unit does. This makes it excellent at relieving muscle soreness and retraining weakened muscles. (for a detailed discussion of the differences between TENS and EMS, check out this post)

Rather than buying two separate devices, you can save money by buying a multi-purpose device. Here are the TENS/EMS models we recommend.

• HealthmateForever Pro 8AB
• InTENSity Twin Stim III - (reviewed here)
• ET-7070 iReliev Strength & Recovery System

Article Source - How to Choose a TENS Unit For Your Needs

Sleek and Fashionable New TENS Unit: U-Gym Mini

The U-Gym TENS unit is a new idea for an electrotherapy device, currently raising funding on IndieGoGo.

They already made a successful electrotherapy device and are now working on a new one, the U-Gym Mini. The company has a working prototype for the new unit and is working on raising the necessary funding to launch it fully.

You can get this unit by donating the required amount to their fundraising page.

How Is the U-Gym Different From Other Devices?

What makes the U-Gym Mini different from other TENS and electrical muscle stimulation units(EMS)? The U-Gym uses different operating frequencies, waveforms, and intensities than typical devices use.

Most electrotherapy devices out there only have a few uses, but according to the creator, the U-Gym Mini is a true multi-purpose device that is completely user programmable.

This means you can set the Mini up to perform whatever function you want it to.

In addition, the U-Gym Mini can be controlled with an app on your smartphone.

You can create, customize, and even share your own unique programs with others. If making your own isn't your thing, you can download ready-made massage programs from the app.

What Are the Features?

The U-Gym Mini uses the electrical stimulation of muscle tissue to help users relax and get relief from muscle soreness. This makes the U-Gym an excellent TENS unit for muscle pain.

The Mini gives you the same effect as a deep tissue massage that you would get from a professional therapy clinic. This will help improve your blood flow and help give you a good night's sleep.

The design of the product is sleek and professional. The design was done by a former Under Armor designer. It's small and has a convenient shape which makes it portable and easy to bring with you anywhere.

iPod like TENS Unit

It sort of looks like a first generation iPod, and with the wires, it really does look like you're just listening to music. The connectors even look like earbuds at first glance.

It was probably designed that way on purpose in order to make it even more discrete. No one is going to pay attention to it if they just think it's some kind of music player.

Even the electrode pads are very stylish. They are sleek and have a fashionable texture to them.

Who Is It For?

The U-Gym Mini is made for mainstream consumers and is specifically designed to aid with muscle aches and pain. The aim is to help people get a better night's sleep and help them get through long days at work.

Deep Tissue Massage

The biggest benefit of the unit is its massaging capabilities. Unlike other electrotherapy devices which only have pain relief as their goal, the Mini achieves pain relief through relaxing your muscles with its deep tissue massage.

The Mini is great for use on the neck, back, arms, body, and legs.

Additionally, if you're concerned about using an electrotherapy device in public, this might be a good choice for you.

The Mini is portable, and its discrete design means it won't catch anyone's attention. You don't have to worry about explaining to people what it is or why you're using it.

If you are suffering from muscle soreness and want a high-quality discrete electrotherapy unit on the go, then keep an eye on the Mini.

U-Gym Mini - Price

At a current price of around one hundred dollars, the Mini isn't exactly cheap. The replacement electrode pads are also very expensive compared to third party options.

If the Mini is outside of your price range, you should take a look at our list of best affordable TENS units.

Article Source - Sleek and Fashionable New TENS Unit: U-Gym Mini