TENS application for pain in the lumbar spine

Woman sitting on a cocu and holding her lower back in pain. Pain in the lumbar spine can be treated with a TENS device.

Pain in the lumbar spine is annoying. If you also radiate into the area of ​​the cervical spine, the neck or the hips, every movement hurts. To relieve pain in the lumbar spine or lower back, you can use a TENS machine.

A TENS application can bring about a speedy improvement, especially in all tension-related pain conditions.[1] It promotes blood circulation and thus the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the treatment environment.[2] This can result in rapid pain relief. Even a prophylactic TENS application can prevent tension.

In the event of pain, the electronic impulses from a TENS device block the pain stimuli from being transmitted to the brain via the nerves. Blocking the transmission of pain stimuli usually results in rapid pain relief. Another parameter setting promotes the release of endogenous hormones, the endorphins. These achieve a pain-relieving effect.[3]

Electrodes that adhere well and have a low resistance are important for TENS treatments on the back. Especially along the spine. Then the electrical stimuli can be passed on evenly over the entire length of the back. This also addresses the back extensor muscle (musculus erector spinae).

TENS electrode placement for low back pain

The large back electrode for the TENS device is ideal for treating lumbar spine pain. It can be placed directly on the lower back without outside help and stimulates the nerves located there. The pain is switched off and overlaid with the body's own endorphins. This electrode is particularly helpful for pain in the lumbar spine, muscle tension or vertebral blockage.

Buy the appropriate electrode now

Alternative electrode placement on the lower back

If you don't have a back electrode at hand, you can also use our 5x5 cm electrodes, which are included in the scope of delivery of the TENS devices. These are universally suitable for a variety of TENS and EMS applications.

To the right electrode

  • 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 units

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 pain in the lumbar spine?

Over the course of life, the intervertebral discs lose more and more fluid. In this way, they permanently shrink piece by piece and thus reduce the springiness between the vertebrae. The muscle tension decreases more and more and it comes to pain. Acute back pain in the area of ​​the lumbar spine usually has a harmless cause. They are caused by muscle tension caused by poor posture, lack of exercise, one-sided strain, heavy carrying or lifting, or stress. Muscle tension often turns into hardening of the muscles, which in turn leads to increased sensitivity to pain. Pain-causing diseases in this area are, for example, a herniated disc, sciatica, rheumatic diseases, arthrosis and the dreaded lumbago with a painful forced posture and severe restriction of movement. Post-pregnancy women are also often affected by pain in the lumbar spine in the last few months due to incorrect posture due to the large abdomen.

What can be done about pain in the lumbar spine?
There are many options for treating low back pain. After consultation with the doctor, cold or heat therapy, for example, could be helpful. Manual therapy, osteopathy or physiotherapy can also be used. If you want to avoid drug treatment, you should try a TENS device, which provides rapid pain relief and can also be used easily at home. The advantage: If used correctly, there are no side effects to be expected. Exercises for the back muscles can also be helpful. These can even be supported with an EMS device for intensification.

How long does lower back pain last?
In the case of an acute lumbar spine syndrome, it can take up to 2 weeks before all movements are possible again without any problems. The actual pain lasts for 5 days directly after the LWS syndrome. If the pain lasts longer or becomes chronic, the doctor should be consulted.

What can you do about pain in the lumbar spine?
The best way to prevent lumbar spine pain is to pay attention to good posture. In addition, it always makes sense to strengthen the back muscles with special exercises. These strengthening exercises are even more efficient when supported by the use of a TENS EMS device.

What exercises help with pain in the lumbar spine?
The following exercises will help relax your lower back.

1. Dog looking up: This exercise may be familiar to many from yoga. To do this, lie on your stomach on the floor, support your hands on the right and left of your upper body and then straighten your upper body as far as possible. The hips hang down, the arms are stretched, the shoulders pull down and the gaze is directed ahead. This stretch should then be held for 2 minutes.

2. Lie on your stomach on the floor with your legs close together. Now fold one leg so that the foot goes towards the buttocks. Grab your foot with one hand and pull your heel toward your buttocks. The bar should remain on the floor. Hold this position for a minute and then switch sides.

Video tutorial for TENS application for pain in the lumbar spine

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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 management (4th ed.). Karl F. Haug Verlag.

[2] Cramp, Gilsenan, Lowe & Walsh. (2000). Bachmann, J. & Pothmann, R. (2010). 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.1365-2281.20000.00240.x

[3] Marchand, S., Vharest, J., Li, J., Chenard, J.-R., Lavignolle, B. & Laurencelle, L. (1993). Is TENS purely a placebo effect? A controlled study on chronic low back pain. Pain, 54(1), 99-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3959(93)90104-w.

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