Non-pain uses of TENS

TENS can be used to relax spastic limbs in multiple sclerosis. The electrodes are placed over the femoral or sciatic nerves. For some unexplained reason it does not seem to work in spasticity from other causes.

Prof. Kaada, a Finnish neurologist, has described the use of TENS to increase the peripheral circulation to treat ulcers and other disorders. He places the electrodes across the hand and stimulates the muscles at 2 Hz to produce a clonic contraction. This is said to cause the release of VIP and other humoral vasodilators; patients use the method twice a day for about half an hour. I have seen brilliant results with this technique in severe Raynaud’s disease but it is by no means a panacea.

1 thought on “Non-pain uses of TENS”

  1. Barbara Haughey

    I have used this technique on the hand to reproduce muscle movement and resultant endorphin release for my chronic pain patients. I have used this multiple times over the last 18 years with overwhelming positive results. The patient needs to be very compliant with the schedule in order for it to work.

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