TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units employ the controlled application of electrical currents to muscle groups, and are proven to provide fast effective relief from both muscle and joint pain. Since 1974, the United States medical and rehabilitation professions have witnessed a massive increase in the private use of Tens Units to alleviate not only muscle pains, but also headaches.

How effective is a TENS Unit?

The effectiveness of the tens-unit, like all other technologically-driven treatments is debated among neurologists, orthopedists, and other medical professionals. However, rehabilitation specialists such as physical and occupational therapists throughout the U.S. have reported that the majority of their patients, who regularly use these machines report a major reduction in painful sensations and a drastic reduction in the amount of synthetic medications needed to engage in daily activities. Do these machines treat the symptoms that cause the pain? Regrettably, the answer to this question is "no". These small, battery-powered, portable units administer mild electrical currents to the affected muscles, and do not treat the causes of pain. These units offer relief by blocking the brain’s pain receptors and have also been shown to stimulate the body’s adrenal glands, which produce endorphins. These are humanity’s internal, naturally occurring chemical enzymes, which lessen or negate the pain suffered from injury.

You may be worried about using your tens-unit in a public setting. You should not be. As has been previously discussed, these machines have become so small that they can be attached to a belt, and the wires can be hidden beneath clothing. So, you could be enjoying a family outing without worrying about embarrassing questions or glances, while benefitting from complete and total pain relief. You are probably thinking ", these mechanisms sound too good to be true." You might also be asking ", Are these machines for everyone?" Although the machines are available for private purchase, there are some patients, who should not use these machines.

Those who have been diagnosed with cancer, are pregnant, or being treated for a heart condition with a pacemaker, should not use these types of rehabilitation-aids, because of the effects produced when electric currents are applied to damaged, growing, or malignant cellular structures, as well as other internal electrical devices. Having said that, no rehabilitation aid, including the units under discussion here, should be used without the recommendation and careful supervision of a licensed medical professional.

Now that you have all the facts, you may believe that a TENS Unit is the right treatment-option for you. These machines are available for purchase at a variety of pharmacies, on-line retailers, and local health stores at competitive prices ranging from thirty to one-thousand dollars. Retailers include, Walgreens; Medicalproductsonline.org; LGmedsupply.com; and Alimed.com. If you suffer from constant muscle and joint pain or irritation associated with life’s daily grind, physical disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Arthritis, Whip lash, or carpel-tunnel syndrome, then talk to your physician. End the pain today, and begin your life anew.