The iTENS device is one of the first wireless TENS devices to receive FDA approval. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, is a procedure that involves sending electrical currents through the skin to stimulate the body’s nerves. The electrodes induce tingling sensations in sensory nerves, allowing them to intercept pain signals traveling from the brain and spinal cord. Through iTENS, a small electric current can reduce inflammation deep within the nerve fibers that cause pain. TENS units, unlike other pain medications, do not have any negative side effects when used to treat swelling. TENS should be avoided by pregnant women, epilepsy patients, and those who have pacemakers. Reduce Knee Pain With A Tens Unit

Make sure the machine is switched off before you attach the pads to your skin. Position the pads either side of the painful area, at least 2.5cm (1 inch) apart.

Are there any risks of side effects?

Review of TENS and heat therapy for pain reduction and improvement in quality of life for women with primary dysmenorrhea. TENS and heat therapy both show evidence of pain reduction, but no study included quality of life as an outcome. TENS types varied between strong low-rate acupuncture-like TENS, sham TENS, and HF TENS. TENS machines can be bought without a prescription at pharmacies and on the internet. Ask your doctor to refer you to a physiotherapist, so you can try it out first. Your physiotherapist can show you how to use the machine properly and will get you to try TENS for a few hours a day until you get used to it. You may be able to borrow one for a specified period of time.

We need more research to fully understand TENS and find out exactly how it works. Some existing studies show that TENS relieves pain in many people. Others suggest that a placebo (a treatment that appears real but isn’t) works just as well. It’s likely that success depends on several factors, including the existence of underlying conditions, placement of the electrodes and TENS unit settings.Acute knee pain is discomfort around the knee that has recently occurred within the last 3 months. It will typically describe conditions that have occurred from a specific incident or rapidly worsened, including:

Using a TENS unit correctly placed has been shown to be an effective form of pain management for knee pain. The good part is that a TENS unit is a great substitute for over the counter and/or prescribed pain medications. Using a TENS Unit for Knee Pain Knee pain can be immediate (acute) or long term (chronic) – acute knee pains are usually caused by an acute knee injury or infection, however chronic knee pain is often associated with arthritis or potentially caused by a nasty infection. TENS may be effective for acute migraine HA; larger well-conducted studies are necessary to confirm efficacy The Trans-cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation or TENS unit is used to stimulate the nerves through an electrical current across the skin. It’s powered by a battery to produce pain-relieving electrical wave. The modified electrical current is passed from the unit, through electrodes and lead wires, to the skin nerves. Generally, it is used on the spinal and superficial nerves connected through the brain. Injections – Your doctor may suggest injecting medication or some form of other substance directly into your joint. These injections can reduce symptoms of arthritis flare ups, naturally lubricates joints – with the aim to improve your mobility and ease pain OR an injection that helps you improve healing.

Technical Specifications

Review of RCTs examining TENS as an adjunctive therapy following TKA compared with a control intervention. Active TENS reduced pain and total postoperative morphine dose over a 24 h period following TKA compared with the control group. At 2 weeks post-surgery, no difference was noted between the TENS and control groups. Muscle strain, tension and overuse can often lead to prolonged knee pain. If you are on your feet all day and participate in high-impact activities, then it is likely that you will experience knee pain at some point. Regular use of a TENS machine can help ease this daily pain. Sport and occupation TENS units have the potential to aid people who have knee osteoarthritis. When nerves are stimulated, they can relieve pain, improve function, quality of life, and necessitate surgical intervention. It is critical to avoid putting pads on the carotid arteries when cutting or scarring the arteries. Tens Unit For Knee Bursitis A review of multiple modalities for participants with shoulder adhesive capsulitis. The review included four studies with TENS in combination with other treatment strategies but did not compare active TENS alone to placebo or no treatment. The review found low- or very low-quality evidence and reported uncertainty whether any of the modalities, including TENS in combination with other modalities, were effective as adjuncts to exercise.

Tentative evidence that TENS reduces pain intensity greater than placebo (no current) TENS as a stand-alone treatment for acute pain in adults. Authors included studies where a strong but comfortable intensity was utilized. The studies were rated as having a high risk of bias, inadequate sample size, and limited blinding. Treatment parameters were incomplete for replication of the studies. The VUSH Wellness team have put together a handy how-to guide for using a TENS machine to relieve knee pain. So, why wait? Say goodbye to achy, sore knees and read on below! This review was in a prehospital setting focused on paramedic pain management of femur fractures. One of the 19 articles utilized active TENS compared to sham TENS. Significant reduction in pain was noted with use TENS. However, some TENS machines also allow you to customise your treatment by adjusting the settings. There are three main settings to help tailor your pain relief, including intensity (milliamps or Ma), frequency (Hz) and pulse width (μs). Adjusting each setting can help you receive the most effective treatment for yourself. Placing clean electro pads on the front of the knee will help alleviate the pain that you may be experiencing from arthritis or muscle strain. Try to avoid the kneecap by placing the pads above or below it to ensure that the bone does not impede the electrical current. Sides of the kneeWe have some good news if you are wondering how often you should use a TENS unit. This safe, user-friendly device can be used as often as you like without any risk of damage. That said, it is generally recommended to use a TENS machine for approximately 20 minutes at a time. Aura works in 20 minute cycles — the end of each cycle is a chance to reflect on how you’re feeling and potentially start a new cycle or try a new therapy mode. Try and take breaks of at least 10 minutes between these sessions.