TENS pad placement for tendonitis
TENS for tendonitis
Due to incorrect strain or overuse, the tendons or tendon sheaths can become inflamed (an inflammation of the tendon sheath is called tendovaginitis and an inflammation of the tendon is called tendonitis), which causes pain with every movement. During therapy, the inflamed area is immobilised for some time until the discomfort subsides and the inflammation disappears. During the period when you feel pain, you can use a TENS machine to relieve the pain.
The tendons have a very important function for our body. They are the connection between our bones, joints and muscles and thus enable us to perform movements and exert force. At particularly stressed points, tendons have a kind of "protective sheath", the tendon sheaths. These surround one or more tendons and are filled with a viscous body fluid called synovia. Synovia acts like a natural lubricant and allows the tendon to move smoothly within it.
Through a TENS machine, electrical impulses are transmitted to the skin via electrode pads, which has two effects. Firstly, the electrical impulses can block the transmission of pain to the brain, which may mean that the pain is no longer felt. On the other hand, TENS application can support our body's natural pain control mechanism by releasing the body's own pain-relieving substances, the so-called endorphins[1]. The application with a TENS machine can also promote the blood circulation[2].
If you have any further questions regarding the effect of TENS and its application, you are welcome to contact our trained TENS specialist advisors at the email address service@axion.shop or by calling +49 7152 - 353 911 - 0
Unsere TENS Geräte und Elektroden Empfehlungen
Pad placement for tendonitis
Potentially, every tendon sheath and every tendon can become inflamed, but the wrist, foot or forearm are most frequently affected. Especially "mouse arm" caused by constantly working with a computer mouse can irritate the tendons and tendon sheath and lead to pain and discomfort. Place the electrodes as shown in the picture for pain in the wrist, you can use our 5x5 cm electrode pads for this, which suit also for a lot of other applications.
The optimal TENS machine for your application - Program recommendation for tendonitis
For TENS EMS machines from axion, we recommend the following programs for pain therapy.
TENS EMS Combo Machine STIM-PRO X9
The programs P01 and P02 are generally used here.
To the device: TENS EMS Combo Machine STIM-PRO X9
TENS Machine STIM-PRO T-400
The programs P01 and P02 are generally used here.
To the device: TENS Machine STIM-PRO T-400
TENS Machine STIM-PRO COMFORT
The programs P02 and P03 are generally used here.
To the device: TENS Machine STIM-PRO COMFORT
Our bestseller, the TENS EMS combo machine STIM-PRO X9
Please note:
The current strength should be set 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 is also useful to change the programs every now and then.
Symptoms of tendonitis
The cause for inflammation of the tendon sheaths is often unaccustomed or often repetitive, monotonous movements. The strain can cause the tendon sheaths or tendons to become inflamed and also swell. This causes more friction during movements and can then trigger pain.
Tendon sheath inflammation most often occurs in the arms, feet and hands or at the wrist. A common trigger for tendovaginitis in the forearm is working on the computer, especially with the computer mouse. Since this movement is performed countless times, this can lead to inflammation in the wrist, this is called mouse arm. Tendovaginitis in the area of the fingers often results in a snapping finger (tendovaginitis stenosans) or mommy thumb. Meanwhile, tendovaginitis around the joint in the thumb is also becoming more frequent due to typing on a smartphone. If the tendon or tendon sheath in the wrist is inflamed and the pain is felt on the thumb side of the wrist, this is medically called tendovaginitis stenosans de Quervain. This disease picture was first discovered by the doctor Fritz de Quervain.
The cause of tendonitis is not always clear. They occur more frequently in middle and old age, but are also sometimes triggered by incorrect strain and overuse. One part of the body where tendonitis often occurs is the shoulder. Frequent movement of the arms over the head, e.g. during sports such as swimming, tennis and volleyball, can trigger tendonitis of the rotator cuff.
The therapy, causes and symptoms of tendonitis and tendovaginitis are largely identical. In most cases, immobilise the affected area is enough until the pain and inflammation have subsided. The pain can be relieved with electrotherapy, such as TENS, or with cold treatments or cortisone injections. The chances of recovery are considered good, unless it is a chronic disease or inflammation of the joints. In this case, a TENS machine can also be used for therapy.
Symptoms of tendonitis
Tendonitis or tendon sheath inflammation can usually be diagnosed relatively quickly and easily by a doctor. If the doctor suspects a disease as the cause of an inflamed tendon, further examinations and therapies may be necessary. The symptoms that can occur with tendovaginitis are:
- Pain when moving the affected area
- Swelling
- Redness
- Audible "crunching" during movement, due to the friction
The benefits of TENS treatment
Unsere TENS Geräte und Elektroden Empfehlung
The TENS world of axion
We are happy to advise you
You still have questions about TENS machines and the different applications? Do not hesitate to contact us!
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