TENS pad placement for osteoarthritis
What are the causes of osteoarthritis?
The so-called rheumatic diseases, also known as rheumatism or rheumatism for short, comprise many different clinical pictures. What all these diseases have in common is that patients suffer from severe, prolonged pain. The terms rheumatism or rheumatism go back to the ancient Greek word "ῥεῦμα" (pronounced: reuma). This means as much as stream, river, current. Rheumatism therefore stands for flowing, tearing and pulling pain. 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 may also be inflamed. In so-called monoarthritis, only one joint is painfully inflamed. If two to four joints are affected, it is called oligoarthritis, and if more than five joints are affected, the disease is called polyarthritis.
TENS units and electrodes recommendations
How a TENS machine can help you with osteoarthritis
TENS therapy for the relief of pain (from osteoarthritis, rheumatism and arthritis) is the subject of extensive research and numerous studies. Many physical therapists, pain centers and clinics use TENS in this context. The results show that TENS therapy can increase both the well-being and the mobility of the affected joint. And this with success, as the experiences of numerous osteoarthritis patients prove.
The correct use of TENS in osteoarthritis
1. Choosing the right electrostimulator: Which stimulation current device is optimal for arthrosis?
Stimulation current can be used in two different ways: as TENS therapy to treat pain and as EMS training to strengthen muscles. To relieve arthrosis pain, you first need a device with TENS functions. It can also be useful to choose a device that supports both TENS and EMS. The wear and tear of the joints often also affects sports practice: patients with osteoarthritis find an effective alternative to their traditional sports activities in the use of EMS. Some forms of osteoarthritis also require muscle strengthening to promote joint mobility in the back, hands, shoulders, elbows or knees.
axion offers the versatile TENS EMS Combo machine with therapeutic, athletic, muscular and wellness goals. The STIM-PRO X9 has among many other functions 3 specific programs for the relief of arthrosis pain.
2. Choosing the right pads: Which pads can you use for arthrosis?
Knee osteoarthritis:
Conventional square pads can be used at the knee. However, the comfort and efficiency of the treatment are significantly increased if the pads are specially adapted to the shape of the knee. The use of knee pads is therefore recommended
Arthrosis of the spine:
A range of pads designed specifically for the back allows you to treat pain in the back and lumbar spine in a more targeted way. Special neck pads are particularly helpful in the neck area, but can also be used anywhere on the spine. Long back pads can relieve pain in the spine as well as specifically build up the back muscles. Special shoulder pads adapt to the shape of the shoulder and noticeably simplify the treatment of shoulder pain. These special pads are also available in the TENS back pain set.
Finger arthrosis and wrist arthrosis
For the TENS therapy on the hand there are special finger pads (8er set from finger and 4x4), which can be attached ideally to finger and wrist. If several fingers are affected, a hand-silicone pad can also be used, which is held in the hand during application. This offers the additional advantage that the user can tighten the fingers during the treatment and thereby can relieve the joint paint.
Elbow arthrosis
The elbow can be optimally worked with square pads. The shoulder pad and the pad against joint pain are also suitable for use on the elbow.
The advantages of TENS treatment
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.
TENS units and electrodes recommendations
The optimal TENS machine for your application - recommendation of programs
You need a TENS machine with at least 2 channels. Attach the pads of each channel to the affected arm according to the following instructions. We recommend for the application the pads about 5 cm.
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 P09 are generally used here.
To the device: TENS EMS Combo Machine STIM-PRO X9
TENS Machine STIM-PRO T-400
The programs P01 and P09 are generally used here.
To the device: TENS Machine STIM-PRO T-400
TENS Machine STIM-PRO COMFORT
The program P07 is generally used here.
To the device: TENS Machine STIM-PRO COMFORT
TENS in combination with heat therapy
You can enhance the effect of your TENS treatment for arthrosis with heat therapy. Heat therapy promotes blood circulation and loosens the muscles. The use of heat is particularly suitable for muscular tension.
Moor heat pack: Due to the filling of natural moor, these heat pads can store the heat longer and release it more evenly than other heat pads, e.g. cherry pit pads.
Hot water bottle: The hot water bottle is a classic in heat therapy that stands out due to its easy application. You only have to fill in warm water. The hot water bottles are also available with a variety of different covers.
The TENS world of axion
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