T.E.N.S.
12.
It must be remembered that an electronic stimulator is a very effective analgesic
instrument and that pain can indicate various types of medical conditions!
The Tens1 to Tens20 programs described in this paragraph are analgesic. You are
advised to read the manual carefully before using MIO-CARE.
consult a doctor to identify the medical condition before using MIO-CARE!
TENS, an acronym standing for "transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation", is a therapeutic
technique mainly used for analgesic purposes to counter the effects (usually pain) of a wide
variety of medical conditions. For this purpose it finds application in treating everyday ailments
troubling mankind: neck pain, arthrosis, myalgia, neuritis, back pain, periarthritis, heaviness in
legs, muscle weakness, just to mention a few.
On an academic level, TENS can be divided into various categories according to the
mechanism used to reduce the pain. The main types are: conventional TENS (or fast
analgesic), electro acupuncture training TENS (or delayed analgesic), TENS at maximum
values with antidromic action and consequently an immediate local anaesthetic effect.
The rehabilitative action of TENS is represented by its power to reduce pain thereby restoring
physiological conditions; more often than not this allows the patient to regain normal motor
function. Consider a patient suffering from irritating periarthritis; they either resort to using
analgesics or learn to live with the pain that often makes even the simplest movements
impossible. Immobility reduces metabolic activity making it impossible to eliminate algogenic
substances. So a vicious circle begins. In addition to relieving pain, TENS causes induced
muscle stimulation increasing metabolic activity and blood flow and improving tissue
oxygenation with an intake of nutritional substances. So the positive effect can be amplified by
combining TENS with muscle stimulation of the area concerned.
Position of electrodes and intensity levels.
The electrodes should be positioned to form a square surrounding the painful area using
Channel 1 and Channel 2 as shown in illustration 1. The intensity should be adjusted to a level
between the thresholds of perception and pain: the maximum intensity level is the moment in
which the muscles surrounding the area treated begin to contract; over this limit stimulation
does not become more effective, just more irritating, so it is best to stop before that point.
IACER S.r.l.
/ rehabilitation programs.
WARNING!
REMEMBER THAT PAIN IS A SIGN:
illustration 1
Create a square area with the
electrodes, over the painful zone.
Keep
4cm
between electrodes.
42
WARNING
minimum
distance
MNPG04 Rev. 03 Ed. 02/09