The so-called rheumatic diseases, also known as rheumatism for short, comprise many different symptoms. All these have in common that patients suffer from severe, prolonged pain. The terms rheumatism or rheumatism go back to the ancient Greek word "ῥεῦμα" (pronounced: reuma). The most common form of rheumatism is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory disease of the joints. Very often the finger or toe joints are affected, but other joints in the hands, shoulders, feet, knees, shoulders or hips can also be affected. In so-called monoarthritis, only one joint is painfully inflamed. If two to four joints are affected, this is called oligoarthritis. If more than five joints are affected, the disease is called polyarthritis.
TENS for pain treatment of arthritis
In conventional therapy, the pain of the affected person is treated with strong drugs that have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin or piroxicam, so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These and other anti-inflammatory drugs often have severe side effects. An alternative to NSAIDs is the treatment of pain with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)¹. Stimulation of the nerves with stimulation current inhibits the transmission of pain impulses to the brain. Pain can significantly be reduced thanks to the TENS treatment.
TENS treatments made easy with the TENS devices from axion
The TENS devices from axion are easy to handle. Self-adhesive electrodes connected to a small portable TENS device are placed near the painful joints. The electrical impulses are transmitted through the skin to the pain-conducting nerve fibres. During the treatment, the current is felt only as a tingling sensation on the skin. Apart from that, the stimulation current treatment with TENS has basically no side effects. The portable TENS devices from axion are small and lightweight and can be worn discreetly under clothing and easily fastened with a sturdy belt clip.
TENS device application
TENS EMS Combo Device STIM-PRO X9
Program P09 and/or P11 is usually used here.
Find out more about the Application with the STIM-PRO X9
TENS Device STIM-PRO T-400
Program P09 and/or P11 is usually used here.
Find out more about the Application with the STIM-PRO T-400
Please note: The amperage should be set so that it is perceived as a pleasant tingling sensation. The duration of the application should be approx. 40 minutes in order to achieve a lasting reduction in pain. It is also useful to change the programs from time to time.
¹Bello, A. I., Crankson, S. & Adegoke, B. O. A. (2014). Comparative Treatment Outcomes of Pre and Post-exercise TENS Application on Knee Osteoarthritis: A Preliminary Report. Rehabilitation Process and Outcome, 3, 4. https://doi.org/10.4137/rpo.s13794
²Aiyejusunle, C. B., Kola-Korolo, T. A. & Ajiboye, O. A. (2007). Comparison of the effects of tens and sodium salicylate iontophoresis in the management of osteoarthritits of the knee. Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.4314/nqjhm.v17i1.12539
³Cetin, N., Aytar, A., Atalay, A. & Akman, M. N. (2008). Comparing Hot Pack, Short-Wave Diathermy, Ultrasound, and TENS on Isokinetic Strength, Pain, and Functional Status of Women with Osteoarthritic Knees. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 87(6), 443–451. https://doi.org/10.1097/phm.0b013e318174e467
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