TENS application for shingles

A woman has a painful rash on her back called shingles.

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Studies show that a TENS device can help with pain caused by shingles (herpes zoster) and neuralgia[1].

During a TENS treatment, current impulses are transmitted to the painful parts of the body by means of electrodes, which can lead to two different effects of the pain therapy. On the one hand, the electrical impulses can block the transmission of pain to the brain, which means that the pain caused by shingles may no longer be felt. On the other hand, electrical stimulation therapy can support our body's natural pain control mechanism so that its own pain-relieving messenger substances, the so-called endorphins[2], are released. The TENS treatment is also considered to promote blood circulation[3].

Note : Use the electrical stimulation therapy only in consultation with your doctor and never place the electrode directly on blisters or pustules!

TENS electrode placement for shingles

Place the electrodes so that the painful area is localized. The 5x5 cm electrodes are suitable, which you can use universally for many types of pain.

The electrodes must not be placed on pustules or blisters.

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 shingles?

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] Bachmann, J. & Pothmann, R. (2010). TENS. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in pain therapy (4th ed.). Karl F. Haug Verlag.

[2] 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

[3] 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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