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How does TENS help relieve lower back pain?
January 31, 2023 Jason McKenzie

How does TENS help relieve lower back pain?

 

Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, is particularly common and in most cases is not caused by any serious health condition and will usually get better over time. Though there are simple exercises you can do to help relieve it, sometimes pain in the lower back can last a long time or keep coming back.

Although lower back pain can be the result of certain diseases, most lower back sores result from an injury, such as muscle strains or strains caused by sudden movements or poor posture. Whilst it’s true that low back pain is more likely to occur in individuals with ages between 30 and 50, a large amount of young adults also suffer from this condition.

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a revolutionary pain relief method that uses mild electrical current directly applied in the affected area to reduce the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles. 

This method has been shown to be effective in treating conditions such as arthritis, back pain and sports injuries. Read below to know more about what causes back pain and how TENS machines can help relieve it.

What causes low back pain?

Back pain often develops without a cause that your doctor can identify with a test or physical examination, though there are some health conditions linked to short-term or long-term lower back pain. The most common causes of back pain include:

Strains

Muscle and ligament strains can develop as a result of repetitive movements and heavy lifting, or they can happen suddenly. They occur when the muscle or ligament is stretched too far and tears, potentially resulting in painful muscle spasms.

Disc Injury

The discs in the back are prone to injury, especially in older people. Discs act as a cushion between the bones in your spine. The outside of the disc can tear or herniate, causing pressure on nerves. Disc injury usually happens suddenly after lifting a heavy object or twisting the back.

Arthritis 

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joins. It can be painful and often becomes chronic. When this condition occurs in the back, it is called spinal arthritis and it corresponds to the inflammation of facet joints in the spine or the joints located between the spine and the pelvis. In extreme cases, it can lead to a condition called spinal stenosis.

Osteoporosis

Osteoarthritis is a medical condition that weakens, making them fragile and more likely to break. In more serious cases, a simple sneeze or cough can cause a broken rib or a broken spinal bone, leading to acute long-term back pain.

How can I relieve back pain?

There are some simple measures you can take to relieve your back pain. These can be effective on its own, though you should see a GP or physiotherapist if you suffer from severe back pain.

One of the most important things you can do to relieve back pain is to stay active. It’s known that people who remain active are likely to recover quicker, though it may be difficult at first. Anti-inflammatory tablets, commonly known as painkillers, can help relieve back pain and help you carry on your everyday activities.  

There are also some simple back exercises and stretches that can help alleviate your low back pain. These can be done at home as well as they can be done alongside regular exercise, to boost your recovery. Activities such as pilates, yoga, walking and swimming are good choices.

Some people find hot and cold packs help ease the pain. Heat compression packs tend to work better when the back pain first starts. Cold packs can also help to alleviate lower back pain in the short term. Optionaly, you can alternate between the two methods for greater ease, though you should be careful to avoid cold or hot burns - never put ice directly on your skin.

Finally, you can opt for specialist treatments if you suffer from long-term back pain. Specialist exercise classes can be a great solution to reduce your back pain. TENS is another widely used back pain treatment and thanks to recent scientific advancements, you can now acquire your own TENS machine at a reasonable price to treat back pain.

TENS Machines for Lower Back Pain

TENS is one of the most popular specialist methods for the treatment of lower back pain. This method was first discovered in 1974, and soon after it started to be used to clinically treat patients with chronic pain.

In recent years, personal individual TENS machines started to be widely available due to their ease of use and their many benefits, including alleviating period aches, back pain and joint pain.

How does TENS work?

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machines relieve lower back pain by using mild electric current. A TENS machine is a small, often battery-powered device, that has leads connected to sticky pads. The pads are directly applied on the skin area where you feel back pain. Then, the machine sends electrical impulses that go through nerve fibres, generating a tingling sensation that relieves pain immediately.

Additionally, TENS may also help in the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. This happens because when the TENS machine stimulates the nerves, they tend to increase the production of endorphins, further aiding with easing your pain.

Paingone Aegis

Paingone Aegis is a clinically tested TENS machine specifically designed to treat lower back pain. This machine is revolutionary due to its modern functionalities and adjustable intensity levels. Unlike most TENS machines, Paingone Aegis is wireless and can be worn under clothing.

Classed as a class IIa medical device, the machine’s flexible and lightweight design counters easily to the shape of your body. In addition, it offers 15 modes and 16 intensity levels to fit all your pain levels, resulting in a very effective drug-free method for the treatment of low back pain.

 

Previous article The 5 Most Important Acupuncture Points for Back Pain
Next article How a Circulation Device Can Improve Swollen Achy Legs and Feet

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