TENS application for a herniated disc

Woman holding her lower back because of pain from a herniated disc. This pain can be treated with a TENS device

In the case of a herniated disc, also known as a herniated disc, disc material emerges from the fibrous ring and presses on the nerves in the spinal cord area. This can lead to severe back pain, paralysis and numbness, among other things.

Common signs of a herniated disc are sudden and acute back pain, some of which can also radiate into the legs. In any case, if you have such symptoms, you should first consult a doctor who can give you a more precise diagnosis. If you have some symptoms, such as loss of motor skills or bladder and rectum disorders, you will find it difficult to avoid an operation and should seek medical treatment immediately. If conservative treatment of the herniated disc is possible, there are a number of treatment options, some of which can also be combined with one another.

The TENS treatment with stimulation current is one of these possibilities. A TENS device transmits electrical impulses to the skin via electrodes, which has two effects. On the one hand, the electrical impulses can block the transmission of pain to the brain, which means that the pain may no longer be perceived. On the other hand, the TENS application can support the natural pain control mechanism of our body so that its own painkilling substances, the so-called endorphins[1], are released. The TENS stimulation current application can also promote blood circulation[2].

In addition to the treatment of a herniated disc, a targeted strengthening of the muscles, for example with an EMS device, can be useful to prevent back pain. Our TENS EMS combination device STIM-PRO X9 has both functions and a variety of different programs to solve your problem.

Electrode placement for a herniated disc

Place the electrode as shown in the picture. Our large back electrode, which is one of the many axion special electrodes, is ideal due to its easy attachment to the back and the large-area impulse emission.

Buy the appropriate electrode now

  • This guide is for orientation purposes and does not replace the supervision of a doctor or therapist. Please follow the warnings and safety instructions of your device. Changes and errors are possible.

  • Number inside the circle: Channel number

    Circle color: Red = Electrode 1, Black = Electrode 2

The recommended programs for axion TENS devices

*The STIM-PRO Eco is a manual TENS device. If you have not received parameter settings from your therapist, please use a frequency range between 70 and 120 Hz (burst mode 2 Hz) and a pulse width range between 150 µs and 200 µs.

Please note when using TENS:

The intensity should be adjusted so that it is felt as a pleasant tingling sensation. The duration of the application should be approx. 40 minutes in order to be able to achieve a lasting reduction in pain. It also makes sense to switch programs every now and then.

What causes a herniated disc?

The advantages of pain treatment with TENS

  • From everywhere

    You can use TENS therapy anywhere. It doesn't matter whether you're sitting comfortably on the sofa or in the office.

  • Drug free

    TENS pain therapy is an alternative to drug pain treatment

  • At any time

    You can use TENS flexibly and at any time. Success can already be achieved after the first treatment

  • Free of side effects

    When used correctly, pain treatment with TENS has practically no side effects

Studies and scientific sources

[1] Ortu, E., Pietropaoli, D., Mazzei, G., Cattaneo, R., Giannoni, M., & Monaco, A. (2015). TENS effects on salivary stress markers: A pilot study. International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 114-118. https://doi.org/10.1177/0394632015572072

[2] Cramp, Gilsenan, Lowe & Walsh. (2000). The effect of high- and low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation upon cutaneous blood flow and skin temperature in healthy subjects. Clinical Physiology, 20(2), 150-157. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2281.2000.00240.x

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