Pain Flashcards
A alpha neurons
voltage, motor neurons
A beta neurons
light, touch, sensory
A delta
sharp pain
C neurons
aching pain
Level I of pain relief:
pain neurons and touch neurons go from periphery to spinal cord (dorsal horn)
Level II of pain relief:
wiring in spinal cord where rubbing it where it hurts helps with the pain
Level IV of pain relief:
nervous system tissue that can secrete and circuit ligands
can turn on electrical stimulator that can promote release of endorphins
Level V of pain relief:
mind, not something that can be stopped through electrical stimulation
Pain control approach:
conventional TENS
low rate/acupuncture-like TENS
Burst mode
electroacupuncture
What does conventional tens do?
rub it where it hurts. feels buzzy and tingly
What does low-rate/acupuncture-like TENS do?
promotes the runner’s high; release of indigenous opiates
What does burst mode TENS do?
target large pain neurons to turn off smaller pain neurons
What does electroacupuncture do?
uses very small electrobe use for small, low rate and concentrates current
What level does TENS do?
focus on level II; dorsal horn of spinal cord and level IV:promote production of pain releasing hormones
Rationale of TENS:
depolarize light touch (A-beta) neurons in painful area, inhibit slow pain (C neurons) neurons from same area
What is the pulse duration of conventional TENS?
50-80 us
What is the pulse type of conventional TENS?
biphasic symmetrical
What is the pulse rate of conventional TENS?
100-150 pps
What is the pulse amplitude of conventional TENS?
strong, comfortable sensory
What does modulation do?
counters adaptation
modulate amplitude and strength
What is the rationale of low rate TENS?
enough current to depolarize large diameter pain neurons; promote body wide release of endorphins and turns off dull aching pain pathways
stimulate opioid release
Pulse duration of low rate TENS:
200-300 us
Pulse rate of low rate TENS
2-10 pps
Pulse amplitude of low rate TENS
strong, sharp twitch
