Pain is the most common reason why people go in and see their physicians thus prompting the population in United States to seek medical care every year. It is estimated by experts that almost eighty percent of the people have experience back pain problem even once in their lifetime. In fact figures have shown that one percent of the total population in the United States is disabled from back pain. Americans do spend about twenty-four billion dollar annually just for treatments of back pain that is according to Arthritis Foundation.
Today it is alarming to know that pain affects most Americans than cancer, heart disease and diabetes all combined. And worst of all most of the time the cause of the pain cannot be identified and most of this pain comes from the lower back.
Treatment for pain varies depending on its severity. TENS Unit is a proven device in treating both chronic and acute pain. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator. It is a small device that brings current to the electrodes that is placed on the skin. Many doctors today makes use of this device to help their patient find relief from pain brought about by muscle strains, headaches, TMJ disorder, arthritis and most of all back pain.
According to Spine-Health, patients can use the device at home for long term basis to manage back pain and people do not have to worry since this device is approved by FDA for home use. It is very handy that it is just about the size of a cigarette pack which usually cost around two hundred fifty dollars to seven hundred dollars. Unfortunately this is not advisable for use for individuals who have pacemaker or who are suffering from cardiac problems and those who are pregnant.
How does TENS work? As already mentioned above it is the passing of a current to the body through electrodes that is taped to the skin. There are actually two theories on how this device works. These theories are the endorphin theory and the gate theory.
The endorphin theory states that TENS device intensifies the creation of the body’s endorphins thus help the body to relieve pain. The second theory which is the gate theory states that through over stimulating the nerves with electrical current then the device blocks the brain from receiving pain signals.
Talk to your doctor about TENS and if your doctor recommends it then make sure to have clear instructions on how to use one. This unit is recommended to be worn several hours a day or the whole day while at work, at home, or in your car but take note that this is not recommended to use while you are asleep.