How To Use A Tens Machine For Shoulder Pain

TENS Therapy for Shoulder Pain: Ultimate Guide

Shoulder pain is an disquiet that affects almost everyone at some point in life and ranks as one of the foremost causes of inability. After all, the shoulders are an integral part of the torso, and when injured, it hinders nearly every facet of our daily life. Thankfully, several treatment options are effective in reducing or eliminating shoulder pain, and i of the almost popular is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Here is the ultimate guide on TENS therapy for shoulder hurting.

What is a TENS Unit for Shoulder Hurting?

A TENS unit is a mobile device that uses electricity to shock the areas of your torso that are in pain – in this case, the shoulders. This subtle jolt of electricity is delivered from the TENS unit to the body via wires continued to electrodes or TENS pads.

Using a TENS machine for shoulder pain is very convenient because the device is battery operated and, thus, can be easily transported and utilized. In improver, many patients take a TENS unit at home, where they undertake therapy sessions.

Tin can You Apply a TENS Unit on Your Shoulder?

Several research studies have been conducted regarding the efficacy of TENS for shoulder hurting and chronic shoulder tendonitis, and the results were astonishing. TENS therapy significantly reduced shoulder pain in virtually all participants for up to 90 days; withal, the pain did return slowly about one month afterward therapy.

What'south more, not only was TENS unit shoulder treatment constructive in reducing pain, just patients reported that at that place were no adverse effects. And that's how to use a TENS unit of measurement for shoulder hurting!

Types of Shoulder Pain TENS Units Treat

The TENS Unit of measurement can be used to treat an assortment of shoulder pain types, both acute and chronic, including:

Rotator cuff tears. The muscles and tendons surrounding the humeral head are known as the rotator gage. As we age, these tendons get weaker; if overstrained, they tin rupture or tear. Studies have indicated that using a TENS unit for rotator cuff tears is beneficial in reducing the overall level of pain in the shoulder area.
Shoulder bursitis. Typically resulting from the impingement of the subacromial bursa between the acromion bone and rotator cuff, bursitis is inflammation in the shoulder. Employing a TENS motorcar for shoulder bursitis helps to save the inflamed tendons of the affected shoulder.
Frozen shoulder. As well known as adhesive capsulitis, a frozen shoulder is a painful shoulder ailment with no known cause. As the symptoms of frozen shoulder progress, the muscles and tendons become increasingly stiff, and any move tends to cause severe pain. While utilizing the TENS unit of measurement for frozen shoulder does aid in significantly reducing pain and stiffness, it is unlikely to eliminate all pain in the shoulder.
Pinched nerve. As a result of the nerves in the neck being squeezed by the surrounding construction, a pinched nervus in the shoulder is quite common. The pinching of this nerve can cause numbness in the adjoining arm and hand. By using a TENS unit for a pinched nerve in the shoulder, yous volition subtract the pain, besides equally the numbness associated with the result.
Shoulder Impingement. Similar to bursitis TENS unit of measurement placement, shoulder impingement leads to inflammation of the area, with the pain usually felt on the peel. Applying a TENS motorcar for shoulder impingement causes a decrease in inflammation, which in plough lowers the pain level in the shoulder area.

Where to Place TENS Electrodes for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder hurting TENS unit shoulder placement is crucial to the effectiveness of the treatment. If the electrodes are not positioned correctly, the slight electric shocks will not attain the issue that is causing the shoulder pain.

Fortunately, for near shoulder hurting problems, placing the electrodes is like shooting fish in a barrel. Locate the spot on your shoulder where the pain is the worst and identify each of the two pads side-past-side atop the location.

Tips for Placing TENS Unit Electrodes for Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff TENS shoulder placement varies slightly from the TENS placement for shoulder hurting because rotator cuff issues are located deeper within the tissue. Therefore, rather than positioning the electrode pads side-by-side, rotator cuff TENS placement is undertaken by placing one electrode pad on the front side of the shoulder and the other TENS pad on the backside of the shoulder.

This strategic positioning allows the electrical shocks from the unit of measurement to disrupt the pain signals the brain receives from the nerves in the shoulder, thus reducing pain.

How to Adjust the TENS Unit Settings

Depending on your TENS unit of measurement, y'all will virtually probable have to adjust the device settings to observe the proper level of hurting relief, and these settings include:

Setting TENS Unit Fashion

Virtually TENS machines feature three modes: normal, outburst, and modulation. The burst setting is the nearly effective in eliminating chronic shoulder hurting among these three modes. However, through the procedure of trial and mistake, you lot volition be able to find a style setting that meets your needs.

Setting TENS Unit Frequency (Pulse Rate)

A TENS unit'due south frequency or pulse charge per unit is determined by the number of shocks per 2nd, measured in Hertz (Hz). Equally the frequency changes, so do the unit'south consequence on shoulder pain. For case, a charge per unit of 2hz to 10hz is recommended for chronic pain, and a rate of 35hz to 50hz for muscle stimulation. Lastly, a rate of 80hz to 120hz is the optimal frequency for acute shoulder pain.

Setting the TENS Unit Pulse Width

The duration in which each pulse lingers is known as the pulse width, and by increasing the width, you can increase the power of your TENS machine. The average pulse is measured in microseconds, so keep in mind that when you adapt the pulse width, you may not visibly find whatever departure, only yous can rest assured that your fretfulness volition take detect. As with other TENS unit settings, you must experiment with the settings to discover out which one is nigh effective for you.

Shoulder Pain Begone with TENS Therapy

Shoulder pain is a debilitating consequence that affects millions of people across the earth. However, numerous treatments are designed to assistance in reducing acute and chronic shoulder pain, and i of the foremost is TENS unit therapy. TENS therapy utilizes low-current electrical shocks to mix upward the pain signals sent from the shoulder'south nerves to the brain. This mixing of signals leads to a desperate reduction in shoulder pain. So, if you lot are suffering from pain, try TENS therapy for shoulder pain.

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Near the Writer

Brandon Landgraf is the Digital Marketing Managing director for Carex Health Brands. He finds passion and fulfillment in creating content that enhances, improves, and enlivens others' quality of life. All of his written work is formulated to not only offering essential advice and tips but back it with proven studies and experts. His mission is to connect with readers and provide steps to make their lives ameliorate.

Yous can connect with him on LinkedIn here.

About TENS 7000

Hurting sucks. Information technology affects millions of people each twelvemonth with agin concrete and mental side effects. TENS 7000 provides tools to combat pain and let people live life on their terms, pain-gratuitous. Our TENS 7000 TENS Unit is one of the top-rated over-the-counter TENS units, having sold over ii one thousand thousand since 2008. Stop letting aches and hurting hold you back — live life on your terms.