TENS application for heel pain

Man holds his foot in the heel area because he suffers from pain. heel pain can be treated with a TENS device

Heel pain can be very uncomfortable because every step hurts when you step on it. The heel or heel bone is connected to both the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. Most of the time, the pain is in the area of ​​the sole of the foot, but it can also occur on the side or back of the heel.

The causes can also be varied, from a heel spur with plantar fasciitis to bursitis in the heel. A TENS device can help you against the pain in the heel.

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. TENS can also promote blood circulation[2].

TENS electrode placement for heel pain

For the TENS application for heel pain, the right and high-quality electrodes are essential. We recommend our 5x5 cm electrodes or the large 10x5 cm electrodes. You can also use the respective electrodes universally for almost all applications.

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 and symptoms of heel pain

The symptoms of heel pain are very diverse. The pain is often associated with exertion, for example when walking or climbing stairs or generally when stepping on the floor. Some sufferers also complain of morning heel pain after getting up, which then decreases during the day, and for some people, the heel pain occurs only sporadically at the beginning of the day and worsens throughout the day. But where can these symptoms of heel pain come from?

The heel is prone to injury and pain due to the surrounding Achilles tendon, plantar fascia and also a bursa (located at the junction of the Achilles tendon and heel bone). By far the most common cause is insufficient or incorrect loading of the foot during everyday movement. Most people sit and stand for far too long, mostly because of their job, such as working in front of the computer. Even when we do move, we tend to wear shoes and tend to walk on flat and smooth surfaces, which doesn't stretch, exercise, and move the many different tendons, muscles, and nerves of the heel.

A common cause is the heel spur, in which a bony outgrowth develops that is usually not visible from the outside. However, this often leads to plantar fasciitis, i.e. inflammation of the tendon plate in the area of ​​the sole of the foot. Problems with the Achilles tendon or bursitis between the heel bone and Achilles tendon can also cause heel pain.

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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