How Often To Use The Tens Machine For Lower Back Pain

Tens machine is an effective treatment for lower back pain. Patients ask how often to use the tens machine for lower back pain.

You should know the basic tips and tricks to use tens for lower back pain. The tens machine can ease your pain and can reduce the intensity of stress in back muscles.

How Often To Use The Tens Machine For Lower Back Pain

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is an electric machine to cure back pain. The tens machine uses an electric current to stimulate the affected nerve for healing purposes through the skin.

The electric impulses used in this machine are low currents. They are harmless for the skin. The main purpose of these impulses is to interrupt the affected nerves.

These impulses stop affected nerves from sending pain signals to the brain. It helps to provide relief from the pain in your lower back muscles and nerves.

The tens machines are easy to manage. They have adjustable frequency levels. They can operate at low to high frequencies. You can set the frequency according to user pain.

For lower back pain, it is suggested that you should use a tens machine 2 – 3 times a day. It depends on your pain level. If you face chronic lower back pain you can increase the frequency.

You should consult your doctor before using the tens machine. They will guide you better about how often to use the tense machine for lower back pain.

How To Use Tens Machine For Lower Back Pain

The tens machine should be used with care. It would be best to consult your doctor before using the tens machine. They will guide you about how to use it.

You can read the manual as well for better understanding. The following are basic steps to follow before using the tens machine.

1. Locate The Affected Area

Before using a tens machine, you must know the exact affected area.

You should know the area of pain. So you can place the pads in the correct positions.

2. Battery Checking:

Before starting the tens machine, make sure that its battery is full.

If its battery is not full, it can stop during the session and will take time to charge again.

3. Clean The Skin:

Clean your skin thoroughly before using the tens machine.

The tens machine should be connected to your skin properly to work in an effective way.

4. Apply Gel:

The tens machine comes with a special gel for electrode pads.

This gel is used on electrode pads to make a good connection with the skin.

5. Pads Position:

The next step is to place the pads in the proper order. You must place the first pad on the affected area.

The other one is to place from where the circuit will be completed. It will allow the electricity to flow properly.

6. Attaching Electrodes:

Make sure that the electrode pads are connected in the proper order.

One should be connected to your back and the other one to the machine to work in an effective way.

7. Adjust The Setting:

It is important to set the machine correctly for better relief of lower back pain.

Start with low frequency and then start increasing it gradually.

Health Conditions In Which Tens Machine Used

The tens machine is an effective way to relieve pain. It can be used in various health conditions.

The following are the recommended health conditions for using a tens machine;

– Back Pain

– Period Pain

– Joint Pain

– Neck Pain

– Postoperative Pain

– Arthritis

– Endometriosis

– Multiple Sclerosis

– Sports Injuries

– Spinal Cord Injury

– Fibromyalgia

– Diabetic Neuropathy With Pain

Benefits Of Using Tens Machine For Lower Back Pain

The tense machine is a useful tool to cure lower back pain. This machine works by stimulating the affected nerves.  

The following are the advantages of using a tens machine for lower back pain;

1. Pain Relief:

The tens machine uses a combination of electric stimulation to reduce pain. It relaxes the tensed muscles and tissues.

These impulses interrupt the affected nerve from sending pain signals to the brain. It helps to provide relief from the pain in your lower back muscles and nerves.

2. Better Sleep:

If your muscles and joints are relaxed, you enjoy a better sleep. It would be best if you use the tens machine before bedtime. It improves sleeping quality.

The tens machine relaxes your stressed muscles and promotes pain-free sleep. It provides relaxation and makes it easy to fall asleep all night.

3. Range Of Motion:

If you use a tens machine on a regular basis, it will increase the range of motion. Muscle stimulation makes the motion better and increases flexibility.

It reduces the stiffness of muscles and nerves. So that they can work more actively and freely.

4. Drug-Free Solution:

Some people avoid medications due to their side effects. It can make the health condition worsen. People switch to drug-free treatment options like massage, physical therapy, and tense machine.

The tens machine is a drug-free solution for lower back pain. There are no side effects or risk factors of using a tense machine.

Side Effects Of Using Tens Machine

The tens machine has numerous benefits but can also damage your skin if not used correctly. You should consult a physician before using the tens machine.

The following are the side effects of using the tens machine inappropriately;

1. Burnt Skin:

Before using the tens machine, you should know for how long to use it. There is a time limit to have electrode pads on your skin. If you leave it for too long, it can burn your skin.

It would help if you did not use a tens machine on the burnt area in case of any burn. Try to apply aloe vera on burnt skin for relief. It will reduce the pain.

2. Muscle Twitching:

The tens machine has an adjustable frequency controller. If the frequency is too high, it can cause muscle twitching.

In case of any muscle twitching, you should stop using the tens machine. Always start with a low frequency and then gradually start increasing the frequency.

3. Muscle Pain:

Some people complain that they feel muscle pain while using the tens machine. If not treated according to the physician’s guidance, I can cause muscle pain.

It would help if you tried to set the frequency to the lowest and move the electrode pads from their place.

4. Shocks:

Remember that your skin must be dried properly before using the tens machine. If you use a tens machine on wet skin, it can cause nasty shocks.

Read the instruction given on the machine carefully. Then use the tens machine. It can cause unpleasant shocks to your skin.

5. Damage to the Wound:

The tense machine can cause damage to the wound or already affected skin. While placing your pads, try not to put them even closer to the affected area or wound.

It can cause irritation and serious pain in that area. Place the pads far from the damaged skin area. So that it can avoid any further irritation and burn.

When To Consult A Physician

Lower back pain is normal when it’s in the initial stages. It can get worse by not taking care of it. It becomes chronic lower back pain, which is not easy to treat.

Lower back pain needs proper attention and care before it gets serious. It should be treated under the consultation of an experienced physician.

When you feel serious lower back pain, consult your physician. They will examine you and will suggest treatment for lower back pain.

They will make a schedule of different treatments according to your pain level. If you consider a tens machine, you should ask a doctor about how to use the tens machine.

Conclusion

Lower back pain is the most faced problem by people nowadays. It has become a leading cause of many other diseases in the body.

People search for drug-free treatments for lower back pain. Excessive use of medication can cause many other disabilities in the body.

The tens machine is a drug-free and effective solution for lower back pain. It relaxes the tensed muscles and tissues by stimulating the nerves.

This machine uses an electric current to stimulate the affected nerve for healing purposes through the skin. It runs low voltage correctly through the body.

Before using the tens machine, you should know the basic steps and precautions. Consult your physician as well to know better about the tens machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Long Can We Use A Tens Machine?

Tens machine should be handled with care. You can use it daily to relieve lower back pain. You should know how long you can use it on your affected area.

Consult your physician. They will examine your pain level and suggest a limit for the tense machine. They will help prepare a schedule to use the tense machine daily.

2. Can The Tense Machine Cure A Slipped Disc?

The tense machine is useful in reducing pain levels. It is used on the affected areas to decrease pain and relax the muscles. It is not that useful for a slipped disc.

The tens machine can reduce the pain in the disc but not fully cure the slipped disc. You need to consult your physician for the treatment of slipped disc.

3. Can We Use The Tens Machine Over A Wound?

Doctors do not recommend using a tens machine over a wound. The gel applied on the pads can cause more pain in the wound and cause serious irritation.

It is best to avoid using a tens machine when facing any wound.  You must consult your physician in case of chronic lower back pain.