special subjects
Rehabilitative Measures for Treatment of Pain and Inflammation
Electrical stimulation
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses low current at low-frequency oscillation to relieve pain. Patients feel a gentle tingling sensation without increased muscle tension. Depending on the severity of pain, 20 minutes to a few hours of stimulation may be applied several times daily. Often, patients are taught to use the TENS device and decide when to apply treatment. TENS therapy should not be applied over or close to the area where an electronic device is implanted, because TENS could cause such a device to malfunction. It should not be applied over the eyes. 