Chattanooga
™
Primera Operation Manual
13
The placement of electrodes is one of the most important parameters in achiev-
ing effective pain relief using TENS. This is best left to your
Physiotherapist or Doctor to advise as to which location is most appropriate.
It may transpire that various positions need to be experimented with before
the user finds the most effective positioning. The positioning may be via the
contiguous, dermatome, myotome, motor, trigger or acupuncture points.
Dermatomes & Myotomes
These are areas of the body enervated by a single nerve root via the spinal
cord. Each nerve root serves a known area of the skin. The dermatomes are
named after the nerve root which serves it. For details of dermatome sites refer
to diagrams on pages 33 & 34.
Contiguous Placement
This form of electrode placement is the most common method used. It
involves placing the red lead [proximal] alongside the spine where the
dermatome [on which your pain lies] enters and exits. The black lead [distal] is
normally placed over or near to the pain site. Your Physiotherapist or
Doctor may direct the current to cross through the pain area or using the
‘bracket’ system allow the current to flow on either side of the pain site through
the nerve branches that supply the pain location.
Acupuncture Points
The placement of the red and black electrodes on the skin forms the electrical
circuit for TENS. It is the skin itself that creates the highest electrical
resistance to stimulation. The Physiotherapist or Doctor may consider using
acupuncture loci, which offer much lower resistance properties, as a more ef
-
fective site for placing the electrodes.
Accurately locating an acupuncture point can be difficult, please seek advice
from you doctor or physiotherapist.
Electrode Placement (TENS)
