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tion of pain lasts longer thanthe actual periodof stimulation (sometimes as
muchas threetofour times longer).Inothers,painisonly modifiedwhile
stimulationactuallyoccurs. Youmay discussthis withyourphysician or
therapist.
Chapter 2: CAUTIONS
1.Precautions:
Isolated cases ofskin irritation may occuratthe siteof electrode placement
following long-termapplication.Effectiveness is highlydependentupon patient
selection byaperson qualified in the managementofpain patients.
2.Contradictions:
TENS devices can affectthe operation of demand type cardiac pacemakers.
TENSis notrecommended forpatientswithknownheart disease withoutphysi
calevaluationofrisk.Do notuseTENS on thecarotid sinus(neck)region.Dono
apply TENS for undiagnosed pain syndromes until etiologyis established.Do
notstimulateonthesitethatmaycausecurrenttoflowtranscerebrally -(through
thehead).
3.Adverse Reactions
Possible allergic togel,skin irritation and electrode burnarepotential adverse
reactions.
4.Read operation manual beforeuse ofTENS.
5.Weemphasizethatpatient withan implanted electronic device (forexample,a
pacemaker)shouldnotundergoTENStreatmentwithoutfirstconsultingadoctor.
The same applies topatientswithany metallic implants.
6.If TENS therapybecomes ineffectiveor unpleasant, stimulation should be dis
continued until its use is reevaluated bythe physician or therapist.
7.Avoid adjusting controls while operating machineryorvehicles.
8.Turnthe DIGITAL SD TENSoffbefore applying orremoving electrodes.
9.DIGITALSD TENS devices have no AP/APG protection.
Do not use it in the presence of explosive atmosphere and flammable mixture.
Chapter1:INTRODUCTION
EXPLANATIONOFPAIN
Pain is a warning system and the body s method of telling us that something is
wrong.Pain is important; without itabnormal conditions may go undetected,
causing damage orinjurytovital partsofour bodies.
Even though pain is anecessary warning signal of trauma or malfunction in the
body, naturemayhave gonetoofar in its design.Asidefromitsvaluein diagnosis,
long-lasting persistent pain serves no useful purpose.Pain does not begin until
coded message travels tothe brain where it is decoded,analyzed, and then re-
acted to.The pain message travels from the injured area along the small nerves
leading to the spinal cord. Here the message is switched todifferentnerves that
travel up the spinal cord to the brain. The pain message is then interpreted, re-
ferred back and the pain is felt.
EXPLANATION OF TENS
Transcutaneous Electrical NerveStimulation is anon-invasive,drug-free method
of controlling pain. TENSuses tiny electrical impulses sent through the skin to
nerves to modify your pain perception. TENS does not cure any physiological
problem;itonlyhelpscontrolthepain.TENSdoesnotworkforeveryone;however,
in most patients it is effective in reducing or eliminating the pain, allowing for a
returnto normal activity.
HOW TENS WORKS
There is nothing “magic”about Transcutaneous Electrical NerveStimulation
(TENS).TENSisintendedtobe used torelievepain.TheTENSunitsends
comfortable impulses through the skin thatstimulate the nerve (or nerves) in the
treatmentarea.Inmanycases,this stimulationwillgreatlyreduce or eliminatethe
pain sensation the patientfeels.Pain relief varies byindividual patient, mode se-
lectedfortherapy, and the typeofpain.Inmany patients,the reduction orelimina-
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