TENS application for circulatory disorders

Elderly man holding his legs and sitting on the couch in pain. He suffers from circulatory problems

Circulatory disorders often occur with increasing age, mainly in the legs, hands and feet. The most common reason is a lack of exercise and thus poor blood circulation. The lack of exercise is due to the fact that the frequency of complaints and pain increases with age, which also limits physical activity.

Due to the circulatory disorders, the affected parts of the body are no longer sufficiently supplied with nutrients, which can lead to functional restrictions and damage to the muscles and organs in the long term. In the worst case, the body parts die and amputation becomes necessary. A TENS device can help you to avoid this and prevent circulatory disorders.

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. Pain relief can help you engage in slightly more frequent and prolonged physical activity, thereby reducing the likelihood of circulatory problems in the long term. The TENS treatment not only helps to relieve the pain, but can also improve blood circulation itself[2].

TENS electrode placement for circulatory disorders

In the picture you can see the exemplary electrode placement for the blood circulation-enhancing TENS application on the legs with our universal 4x4 cm electrodes. You can also use a TENS device on your arms and feet.

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.

Causes of circulatory disorders

Hardening of the arteries, embolism, thrombosis or vascular inflammation can be the cause of circulatory disorders. As already mentioned, lack of exercise plays a major role, but there are other factors that increase the risk of circulatory disorders.

Risk factors include:

  • lack of exercise
  • unbalanced diet
  • overweight
  • diabetes
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • high blood pressure
  • Smoke

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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