TENS units, which stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation units, are small, battery-powered devices used to stimulate nerve and muscle contractions for the purpose of pain relief or rehabilitation. You can purchase them only through a doctor or physical therapist, since they are used for treating medical problems. According to The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, people who used TENS units after hip surgery healed faster and experienced greater muscle strength than those who did not. ReliaMed is one of the most popular brands of TENS units available.
Step 1
Place the 9-volt battery in the back of the ReliaMed TENS unit before turning the power on. According to the ReliaMed website, ReliaMed TENS units come with one 9-volt battery, which you will need to replace when it dies.
Step 2
Plug the wires connected to the electrodes into the small wire outlets on the TENS unit. Put the 4 electrodes directly onto the muscles that you want to treat, about an inch spaced out from each other. The website Pain Management Technologies states that TENS unit electrodes are most effective when placed directly on the skin near the muscle that is injured or in the most pain. Not spacing the electrodes out can over-stimulate the muscle in one area.
Step 3
Turn the dial on the ReliaMed TENS unit to the lowest strength on the dial and wait for a few minutes before increasing the strength. Pain Management Technologies states that increasing the strength on a TENS unit too high or too quickly can cause skin irritations and burns. Gradually increase the strength on the dial until you feel a contraction of the muscle that is not painful.
Step 4
Use the ReliaMed TENS unit for 30 to 60 minutes, several times a week as directed by your physician. Persistent use of the ReliaMed TENS unit is the best way to see results in pain management and muscle strength. You can use the ReliaMed TENS unit at almost any time of the day, but never when you are sleeping, as the electrodes could become loose, irritating the skin.
Step 5
Replace the electrodes when they lose their stickiness or start to tear. The ReliaMed TENS unit comes with 4 electrodes, but when they lose their integrity you will need to purchase more through your doctor or physical therapist. Store in the ReliaMed plastic case when not in use in order to protect the ReliaMed TENS unit from getting scratched or broken.
Things You'll Need
- ReliaMed TENS unit
- Electrodes
- 9-volt Battery
References
- Pain Management Technologies: TENS, Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation
- Reliamed: Enhancing Patient Care with Cost Effective Alternatives
- "The Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation"; Low-frequency Electric Muscle Stimulation Combined With Physical Therapy After Total Hip Arthroplasty for Hip Osteoarthritis in Elderly Patients; Gremeaux V, Renault J, Pardon L, et al.; December 2008
