Question | Answer |
what does tens stand for? | transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation |
what does tens mean? | through the skin electrical stimulation |
what is tens designed to do for the patient? | reduce pain |
what is an advantage of a tens unit? | it is compact- it can be used as a home program |
tens is an alternative to | narcotics |
therapists try to use tens as a | first resort compared to doctors who try to use it as a last resort |
what type of waveform is the tens? | biphasic usually balanced |
what type of current is tens? | alternating current |
what are the two types of tens ? | conventional tens(high frequency) & low frequency tens |
what is modulated tens? | changes how the current goes into the body so the patient does not get use to it |
what is burst modulation tens? | goes on off on off on off |
what is the pulse width? | the lenghth of on time measured in microsecond |
how many microseconds is tens usually? | any where between 50-400. however 400 will be more uncomfortable |
how much do we turn up the intensity/amplitude for tens? | turn it up until patient senses it then stay for 30-60 sec then turn it up agian if they accomodate to it. |
how many mA does tens go? | from 1-100mA but go by pt sensation rather than the number. |
which theory does high frequency tens use? | the gate control theory |
which theory does low frequency tens use? | the endorphine theory |
what is the gate control theory? | pain signals are sent to the brain and you feel pain. when you introduce a different stimulus such as e stim your brain will not percieve the pain signals as much. Therefor you will have less pain. |
what is the endorphine theory? | by causing the discomfort with e stim the body releases endorphins helps body have less pain |
when do you use high frequency tens? | use for acute pain |
when do you use low frequency tens? | use for chronic pain |
how do you use the high frequency tens? | use sparingly for up to 1 hour while doing functional task |
how do you use low frequency tens? | 3-5 x's a day 20 min at a time sit and relax |
what do you explain to the patient to do for a tens home unit? | where to put it, what to do, not same place ever day, wash skin, don't use it in the shower or rain, no eyes, ears, open wounds, all contrindications, never on any one else, not on animals, call if any questions |