15. PROGRAMMES
15.1 TENS PROGRAMMES
Using the TENS Programmes
Your nervous system is different to everyone else’s. Only you know how the stimulation
feels for you. The best way to use TENS is to try the programmes, and see which ones
work best for you. There are some general guidelines:
Programmes with high frequency (Pain Gate)
Programmes 1, 2, 3, 8, 9,10
These programmes use the Pain Gate to block the signals travelling along the
pain nerves.
Prog Hz
Pulse width
Mode
Time
EFFECT
Pain Gate
Endorphin
Release
1 110 50
Const C
PRESET PG
2 80 150
Const C
PRESET PG
3 110 200
Const C
PRESET PG
4 2
250
Const 30 PRESET ER
5 4
200
Const 30 PRESET ER
6 100 150
Burst 30 PRESET PG+ER
7 150 200
Burst 30 PRESET PG+ER
8 10/100 250
PFM
C
PRESET PG+ER
9
2/120
200/100
FM
C
PRESET
PG +ER
10 2/100 200/150
Han
30 PRESET PG+ER
11 2-150 50-300
Const
5-90/C MANUAL
12
2-150
50-300
Burst 2Hz
5-90/C
MANUAL
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The sensation will fade after 5 or 10 minutes. Keep increasing the intensity so that you
can always feel the stimulation clearly.
You can use these programmes as long as you like. The pain relief may wear off after a
few hours. In which case, you can take a break and try again later.
Programmes 8 and 9 keep changing the sensation, which some users find will extend
the effective pain relief.
Programme 1 is the gentlest stimulation. If you have not used TENS before, start with this
until you are comfortable with the feeling.
Programmes 2 and 3 are similar to 1, but feel stronger and deeper.
Programmes with low frequency (Endorphin release) elements
Programmmes 4, 5, 6, 7, 12
These programmes encourage production of your natural endorphins by inducing very
small, repetitive muscle twitches. All but programmes 4 & 5 combine this with a higher
frequency to combine the pain relief mechanisms, but may be a little less comfortable.
To be effective, you need to keep the intensity high enough to induce small muscle
movements. This limits the time you can use these programmes - if you use them for
more than about 40 minutes, you may have aching muscles later.
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