The use of the TENS Unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) and E-Stim (Electrical Stimulation) machines greatly enhance recuperation rates of physical therapy patients, as well as the common everyday worker.
It has an overall sedative effect on chronic pain associated with inflammation and edema (swelling). These two forms of electrode-based stimulation represent a non-invasive approach to helping patients who suffer from chronic pain related, but not limited to, past injuries and orthopedic conditions.
In the case of post-injury patients, electrical stimulation helps to reduce pain and swelling. In many cases excess pain or swelling interferes with proper function and/or movement of a body part, which has a huge effect on the healing process!
Electrical stimulation allows a patient to properly move without excess discomfort, and thus aids physical therapists in the process of guiding a patient through the necessary corrective exercises and movements. For patients regaining the use of body parts, the electrical stimuli causes muscles to contract and thereby helps them in regaining strength. For individuals post surgery or post injury, an E-Stim machine can aid in muscle function and activity dramatically.
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In the case of patients with orthopedic conditions, it helps with much needed blood flow to areas of discomfort. By increasing the delivery of blood to these areas, electrical stimulation provides a means for which fluids can leave the area of fluid concentration and promotes the delivery of blood components that repair and heal.
So how does electrical stimuli reduce pain in general?
The essence of this process at a cellular level is in a way similar to someone rubbing their arm after they hurt it running into something. This form of “cellular rubbing” helps reduce the collection of fluids associated with the inflammation and edema. Inflammation and edema work similarly when it comes to producing and sending pain signals to the brain.
The collection of excess fluid generates pressure that is exerted on local pain receptors and thereby causes pain. However, preventing accumulation of fluid isn’t the only way in which the TENS Unit or the E-Stim machine help reduce pain. The device also helps the body produce higher levels of endorphins, which are our body’s own natural painkillers.
Santa Cruz CORE provides patients with a device that is both an E-Stim and TENS Unit. It is a great replacement for over the counter medications that can wreak havoc on the stomach, liver, and heart if taken in excess.
This medical device is effective for acute and chronic pain or discomfort, and is often covered by insurance. With the work of the practitioners and additional technology, such as the E-Stim of TENS Unit, individuals are back to performing, working, and functioning optimally in record time!