TENS application for neck pain

Woman at home in the bedroom holding her neck due to tension and pain. This pain can be treated with a TENS device

Neck pain is one of the most common complaints in the upper body and head area. One wrong movement or an unfavorable draft is enough to trigger neck tension. The complaints often include restricted mobility and hardened neck muscles, often referred to as a stiff neck. However, chronic neck pain can be caused by rheumatic diseases, inflammation or accidents.

If we feel neck pain, we usually adopt a relieving posture in which the symptoms are not too bad. However, this is usually a bad posture and can aggravate the pain in the long term. One way of relieving pain from inflammation and neck tension in addition to heat therapy is to use a TENS device[1].

A TENS device delivers current impulses to the skin via electrodes, which have two effects for pain relief. On the one hand, the electrical impulses can block the transmission of pain from the neck to the brain, which means that the neck pain may no longer be perceived. 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. Blood circulation can also be promoted during a TENS treatment[3], which can be particularly helpful for neck tension.

TENS electrode placement for neck pain

If you have neck pain, we recommend the special neck electrode. This was developed by us in such a way that it adapts ideally to the neck area, optimizes conductivity and can be easily attached without outside help.

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Alternative electrode placement for neck pain

Alternatively, you can also use the 5x5 cm electrodes for complaints in the cervical spine or muscle tension in the neck area. These electrodes are also 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 are the causes of neck pain and how can I treat it?

Neck pain can have many different causes. It can be divided between mechanically triggered pain (e.g. neck tension, injuries, poor posture), non-mechanically caused pain (e.g. rheumatism), referred pain (e.g. spread of the pain to the neck through tense muscles in other parts of the body such as the spine) or psychologically triggered pain (e.g. stress ).

Mechanically induced pain is the most common. This can be the case, for example, when working on the computer for a long time and generally when working sedentarily. A TENS device can help to relax the neck muscles and alleviate neck pain that occurs.

Fast relief for neck pain
To combat a sore neck, there are a number of alternatives. If you have injured yourself during an unfavorable movement, the LUCKY rule (pause, ice, compression, elevation) will help you before you should take specific measures.

In the case of hardening of the neck muscles, heat is a good treatment option, for example with a peat pillow for the neck. However, prevention is even better so that it doesn't get that far in the first place. Effective against neck pain is the use of a TENS device, which stimulates the nerves in such a way that the pain is overlaid by endorphins.

For the best possible pain therapy for your neck pain, you should use our special neck electrodes. These electrodes are ideal for counteracting or eliminating tension in the neck area. The shape is precisely tailored to the neck area and can be easily attached without outside help. Thanks to the gel layer, the electrodes stick well to the skin and can be used again and again. With the help of the carbon film on the electrodes, the current is passed on safely and effectively.

Video tutorial for TENS application for neck pain

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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] Maayah, M. (2010). Evaluation of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment of Neck Pain due to Musculoskeletal Disorders. Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, 127-136. https://doi.org/10.4021/jocmr2010.06.370e

[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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