The relief of pain is one of the
most important problems in medicine. For centuries various form of
analgesic drugs were the only means by which pain could be combated.
recent decades have witnessed dramatic progress in pain research
which has provided new insights into the neuropsychological basis of
pain. The discoveries of the physiological mechanisms of pain
control have led to new conceptual aspects of the perception of
pain. Even more important is that these discoveries have paved the
way for the development of the new techniques and methods for the
alleviation of pain. One of these methods is transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulators (TENS). This method emerged from the
concept of the gate control theory which was proposed be Melzack and
Wall in 1965 and introduced into clinical practice in 1970. In the
years which have passed since then, TENS has become widely used, and
there is at present abundant evidence that it provides an efficient
toll for the alleviation of certain pain syndromes.
What is Pain?
Pain is the body's warning system and
it is intended to prevent additional injury. Pain is important
because without it, vital parts of our bodies might be damage or
injured without our knowledge. However, long-lasting,
persistent pain, often called chronic pain, once diagnosed serves no
apparent purpose. TENS is developed to help relieve some types of
chronic and acute pain.
How does TENS work?
TENS, or Transcutaneous Electrical
Nerve Stimulation, means the transmission of small electrical
through skin to the underlying peripheral nerves. TENS is thought to
work in two ways:
First, "high
frequency" continuous, mild, electrical currents may block the
pain signal traveling to the brain. Brain cells perceive pain. If
the pain signal does not get through to the brain, the pain is not
"felt".
The second way is by
stimulating the body's own natural pain-control mechanism. The TENS
system's "low frequency" or shout bursts of mild,
electrical activity may cause the body to release its own pain
analgesics, called beta endorphins.
