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3. HOW TENS WORKS
TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. TENS stimulates your
body’s own natural defences against pain. It is totally safe and has been used successfully
by thousands of pain sufferers.
TENS sends a gentle stimulation through the skin which works in TWO ways:
Pain Gate
Stimulating the sensory nerves, which carry touch and temperature signals. These
nerves go to the same connections in the spine as the nerves carrying pain. A strong
sensory signal will block the pain signal travelling up the spine to the brain. This is known
as closing the “Pain Gate” and takes effect quite quickly after the unit is switched on. You
can use TENS several times a day, for as long as you like.
Endorphin Release
At low frequency settings, and slightly stronger output, TENS drives the motor nerves
to produce a small repetitive muscle contraction. This is seen by the brain as exercise
and this promotes release of Endorphins – your body’s own natural pain killer. The relief
builds up and normally takes about 40 minutes to reach a maximum level which can last
for hours after the machine is switched off.
By using TENS you can expect to achieve a significant reduction in pain if not complete
pain relief.
Side Effects
There are no known side effects to TENS use and long-term TENS use is not harmful.
Positioning the electrodes for TENS
The TENS effect is confined to the nerves entering a single vertebra in the spine. To be
effective, you therefore need to stimulate a sensory nerve entering the spine at the same
level as the nerve carrying the pain. For this reason electrodes are usually first placed
where the greatest pain is felt. Nerves follow the curve of the ribs and spiral around the
limbs, so you will need to try different positions until you find the best for you. Try moving
the electrodes short distances to establish the positions that are most effective for you.
TENS is clinically tested and approved for many applications including:
• Back pain and lumbar and cervical spine problems
• Joint pain (e.g. knee joint, hip joint, shoulder)
• Neuralgia • Headaches • Women’s period pains
• Pain after injuries to musculoskeletal system
• Pain with circulatory problems
• Chronic pain through various causes
4. EMS: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS
EMS stands for Electrical Muscle Stimulation and is a widespread and generally
recognised method which has been used for years in sports and rehabilitation medicine.
In the sports and fitness field, one of the uses of EMS is as a supplement to conventional
muscle training, in order to increase the efficiency of muscle groups and adapt physical
proportions to the desired aesthetic results.
EMS has two main applications. Firstly, a targeted strengthening of musculature can
be produced (Activating application) and secondly a relaxing, resting effect can also be
achieved (Relaxing application).
EMS successfully rebuilds and tones muscles.
Different levels of muscle contraction are achieved by sending electrical impulses of
various types, depending on the programme selected, into the body. These muscle
contractions retrain the muscles, increase their effectiveness and improve their condition.
This is beneficial where muscles - for whatever reason - have not been in regular use and
have lost condition (muscle atrophy). For sports, the benefit is to increase the effect of
training and enhance performance.
Typical uses are:
• Muscle training to improve endurance performance
• Muscle training to support the strengthening of certain muscles or muscle groups in
order to achieve desired changes to body proportions
• Sports training, covering - warm-up, strength, speed, power, resistance, endurance
and recovery
• Rehabilitation in relation to sports injury
The effect on muscle tone of electrical stimulation (EMS) is generally only noticeable after
regularly repeated application. Electrical stimulation does not replace regular exercising
of the muscle, but is able to reasonably supplement it.
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