Is a TENS machine harmful?
Safe application of stimulation current
A huge benefit of a TENS machine is his flexibility. You can take it with you everywhere or use it comfortably at home. Many people want to try the self-administration of TENS but are not sure if stimulation current can be harmful. Especially those who don’t know TENS from their physiotherapist before or don’t know pain relief with TENS at all.
We want to give you all the information, which allows you to apply axion TENS machines and relieve your pain safely. Beside the mechanism, how a TENS machine works, we want to show you the quality standard, contraindications and possible side effects.
If you have any further questions concerning TENS machines, feel free to contact us. Consultation by phone: +49 (0) 7152 - 353 911 - 0 or write to us: service@axion.shop.
Our TENS machine and electrode pad recommendation
High quality standards for a safe application
Your safety is very important to us and therefore our TENS and EMS machines are MDD (93/42/EWG) certified [1]. Without this certification you aren’t allowed to sell medical products within the EU. The guideline contains technical requirements that have to be complied. If you want to read the full guideline just look in our bibliography at the end of the page. An important requirement for our devices is paragraph 12.8 (Protection against the risks posed to the patient by energy supplies or substances). In May 2021 the guideline was replaced by the MDR 2017/745, where you can find the same requirement under paragraph 21.1 [2].
12.8.1
Devices for supplying the patient with energy or substances must be designed and constructed in such a way that the flow-rate can be set and maintained accurately enough to guarantee the safety of the patient and of the user.
In addition, our medical products are certified according to ISO 13485:2016/NS-EN ISO 13485:2016, which includes requirements for the manufacture and distribution of medical products[3].
You can be sure that the application of TENS is harmless, if applied correctly. In our TENS application overview you can look up how to place the electrode pads and program recommendations for your requirements. Please note the contraindications of the application with a TENS machine in the following paragraph.
Contraindications
TENS is known as an option of pain therapy with minimal side effects, contrary to painkillers. For some people the electrical impulses feel uncomfortable, but most of the patients describe the feeling as a pleasant tingling sensation. If you are allergic to the adhesive, the electrode pads may cause redness or skin irritations. If this happens, you should stop the TENS or EMS application. Apart from that is TENS without side effects, if applied correctly. If you want to relieve pain with TENS, please note the following.
Please note
There are also a few circumstances where you shouldn't use a tens machine:
- Heart diseases or cardiac arrhythmia
- Cardiac pacemakers
- Open wounds
- Pregnancy
- Tumors
- Implants
- Epilepsy
The electrode pads must not be placed above the heart, on the larynx or the carotid artery. We composed the correct electrode pad placement for every application for you.
The benfits of TENS treatment
Our TENS machine and electrode pad recommendation
The TENS world of axion
We are happy to advise you
You still have questions about the correct application for your pain? Our expert advisors are there for you!
Studies and scientific sources
[1] COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/42/EEC of 14 June 1993 concerning medical devices (1993). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:31993L0042&from=DE
[2] REGULATION (EU) 2017/745 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 5 April 2017 on medical devices (2017). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32017R0745&from=DE
[3] Wikipedia (2006, 12. August). ISO 13485. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_13485
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