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TENS for Degenerative Disc Disease |
Neck Pain Relief  TENS for Degenerative Disc Disease |
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Our lumbar belt applies TENS for Degenerative Disc DiseaseA study in Ortopedia, Traumatologia, Rehabilitacja 2010 Jul-Aug;12(4):289-300 evaluated the impact of long-term TENS therapy on pain relief in patients with degenerative disc disease in the lumbosacral spine. Spinal pain occurs mainly in societies with a high standard of living which are characterized by low physical activity and a predominantly sedentary lifestyle. It is estimated that around 80% of the adult population in industrialized countries have experienced spinal pain at least once in their lives. In 90% of patients with a spinal pain syndrome, the pain results from impaired spinal mechanics caused by an overload of the spinal structures. Degenerative disc disease is believed to be the most common cause of spinal pain, with 62% of patients complaining of low back (lumbosacral) pain, as this segment of the spine is characterized by high mobility and is at the same time responsible for transferring the heaviest loads.
Usually, the first symptom indicating a disorder is pain resulting from pressure on nerve roots or irritation of nerve endings in the area of the affected intervertebral disc. Protective muscle spasm leads to limited spinal mobility, especially during bending forward and backward. The patient instinctively attempts to relieve the pressure on the compressed structures leading to incorrect body posture. Examination reveals flattening of the normal curve of the spine and other postural abnormalities of the trunk. Pain may also result from degenerative changes of vertebral edges or other deformities in this area of the spine. When symptoms of nerve compression are present, the ability to perform simple everyday activities becomes seriously affected and the patient’s quality of life significantly degenerates. Degenerative disc disease is affecting increasing numbers of young people, with the highest incidence reported in those between the ages of 20 and 50 years, i.e. people active professionally and socially, which leads to negative social and economic consequences. The high prevalence of degenerative disc disease motivates the continuous search for effective treatment methods. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an effective method used to relieve pain in patients with degenerative disc disease. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was first introduced in the United States in the 1960's and was quickly recognised as a simple, safe and proven method for relieving acute and chronic pain. As a noninvasive modality, it is an alternative to pharmacological pain relief, easy to apply and non addictive. TENS is mainly based on stimulation of nerve fibers in order to inhibit the transmission of pain and to trigger release of the body's own pain relief chemicals. Studies show a significant increase in the concentration of endogenous opioids in the cerebro spinal fluid following TENS treatment. Patients with degenerative disc disease initially present with mild symptoms, such as limited spinal mobility, changes in muscle tone, or transient pain. Due to long-term spinal loading, incorrect body posture, and adverse working conditions, an intervertebral disc loses its stabilizing and protective, padding characteristics. The modern lifestyle, leading to weight gain and muscle system impairment, is also a contributing factor. This creates favorable conditions for the development of degenerative changes to the vertebral disc, which cannot function properly and is incapable of transferring loads appropriately and no longer allows spinal flexibility. This, along with an impairment of the hydrodynamic system of the disc, results in instability of the nucleus pulposus in the intervertebral disc space. Degenerative changes which develop in the intervertebral disc throughout life lead to a herniation of the nucleus pulposus through the damaged annulus fibrosus. Pain and abnormal muscle tone are present at every stage of the disease and this impairs function. They also lead to disabilities and require social benefits, which results in an increased financial burden of diagnosis, treatment, litigation and social benefits. The psychological implications of degenerative disc disease has been noted and it has been proven that chronic pain causes frustration, irritability, emotional and behavioral changes and often leads to the depression-pain syndrome. Therapy applied early enough may be an adjunct to comprehensive analgesic treatment or even replace pharmacotherapy. Study results confirm the usefulness of TENS currents in treating spinal pain syndromes. The analysis of the above noted study included significant issues regarding the methodology of TENS, in particular, the duration and frequency of sessions. There are various recommendations concerning the duration of TENS sessions. The results of studies evaluating the analgesic effect of TENS showed that 60 minute TENS sessions effectively decreased pain intensity. The above study showed higher effectiveness of 20-minute TENS sessions administered by means of an applied belt as opposed to conventional TENS. The belt aided application was referred to as long-term application due to the long time of application per day. The main indication for the application of this therapy is chronic pain, although it is more and more commonly being recommended specifically for acute pain. Various authors have provided different estimations of the analgesic effectiveness of TENS for acute and chronic pain. This results from the lack of any uniform methodological recommendations as for the parameters of TENS currents, duration of a therapy session, and individual variations in tolerability level for these currents. Most authors believe that the current amplitude should be set at a value that will cause a pinching, tingling or vibrating sensation. Continued clinical research on the effectiveness of various TENS techniques will help popularize its application and standardize methodological recommendations. TENS therapy is recommendable as a method ensuring full safety for the patient. The application of TENS in patients with spinal pain did not result in intensification of the pain in any of the patients in the study. The results of this study, like the quoted results from other authors, support the idea that TENS therapy should be commonly used as a method of choice, not only when other methods of analgesic treatment have failed. Moreover, this study confirmed a positive effect of the application of several TENS sessions in one day or the application of longer sessions. In this study,
Our TENS for lower back pain relief is available as a complete system or by individual pieces: Complete System Includes our Digital TENS Unit, 9-volt battery, one-size-fits-most adjustable neoprene belt with lead wire storage, four double-sided electrodes, two sets of lead wires, four snap adapters (for lead wire attachment) and manual Belt Only Kit Available without TENS Unit for those who already have one - includes belt, electrodes and snap connectors
 A TENS Unit Should NOT Be USED: With Implanted Medical Devices - Broken Skin or Wounds - Persons with Epilepsy - Top or Side of Head - Front of the Neck - Pregnant Women - Cancer Patients - Eyes or Mouth - Heart or Throat - While Driving For US residents, sales of TENS Unit devices are limited to licensed practitioners that do not require a perscription or patients having a valid prescription from a licensed health care practitioner. (Medical Doctor, Chiropractor, Dentist, Podiatrist, Nurse Practitioner, Physicians Assistant, Ph.D., Physical Therapist, Doctor of Acupuncture or Doctor of Osteopathy) By ordering from a US location, you certify by electronic signature that you are a health care provider or have a valid prescription from a health care provider. If you need assistance or have questions regarding the Back Pain TENS Belt, please feel free to contact Neck Solutions. |
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