MyoBravo Bedienungsanleitung / Operators Manual
73
TENS (Transcutaneous
Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
The first treatment using electrical current was carried out around 2500 BC in
Egypt. At that time they used electric sheatfish for the treatment of pain relief.
The results obtained from this treatment were quite astounding bearing in mind
that science concluded the physiological basis for this treatment in the 19
th
century. The Gate-Control Theory, which was first published by Melzack and
Wall in the 20
th
century formed the basis for the neurophysiological
understanding and the first treatment of pain relief with the aid of highly
frequenced TENS as is applied today.
TENS as a scientifically recognised method for pain relief therapy is a suitable
aid for pain for many doctors. The stimulating electrical current impulses being
produced by MyoBravo is transferred from the electrodes to the skins nerve
fibres. The effect of pain relief begins at the start of the application and also
usually prolongs after the stimulation period. This achievement is due to two
different mechanisms:
Gate-Control-Effect:
The pain is transferred over the nerve fibres of the body to the brain. There the
pain is perceived. Through stimulus of the nerves MyoBravo prevents further
transmission of the pain signals to the brain. The pain sensation can so be
eased or inhibited.
Beta-endorphins-release:
The TENS-therapy stimulates the synthesis and release of beta-endorphins.
Beta-endorphins as bodily synthesised peptides, which have a similar effect as
morphine for pain relief, but without the side effects that morphine carries (e.g.
breathing depression).
TENS is available in three different treatment modes.
1.
Continuous Tens (CONT): Electrical impulses are exchanged between
the electrodes in a continuous ongoing mode back and forth. They block
the transmitting nerve bands.
2.
Modulated Tens (MOD): By changing the parameters (frequency, pulse
width and/or intensity) regularly and automatically, the sensation of an
increasing and decreasing current is produced. Therefore the body will
adapt distinctly delayed to the electrical impulses.
3.
Burst (BURST): 9 impulses with a set frequency and pulse range, twice
per second are emitted. This artificially produced frequency of 2 Hz is
able to increase the production of the bodies own endorphins and there-
fore relieve pain in a more natural way.
