TENS Flashcards
what does TENS stand for
transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation
what are the aims/benefits of TENS
decrease pain, muscle stimulation
how is TENS applied
by placing two electrodes on the body and sending electrical impulses through the nervous systems
name the structures of a neuron
axon, dendrites, cell body, axon terminal, Schwann cells/ myelin sheath, nucleus
what does the axon do?
it allows electrical impulses to travel along it
what do dendrites do?
receive electrical impulses from other neurons
what does the cell doby do?
house the nucleus
what do the myelin sheath/Schwann cells do?
insulated the axon and allowed action potentials to travel quicker
what does the axon terminal do?
send elctrcial impulses to other neruons
what does the nucleus do?
store the genetic information of the cell
name the non-nociceptive fibre
A beta
name the nociceptive fibre’s
A-delta and C
order the fibres in the order of speed of transmission
A-beta, A-delta, C
why are A-beta the fastest
These nerves are the most myelinated so the action potential can jump from each node of Ranvier and move quicker.
why are C fibres the least myelinated
they have 0 Schwann cells so there is myelination for an action potential to travel quicker
what are the three modes?
conventional, acupuncture-like tens and burst combination mode
what are the settings for conventional?
high frequency = 80 - 120
low intensity
short pulse duration
30mins to 1 hour
What are the settings for acupuncture-like Tens
low frequency = 2 - 10
high intensity
long pulse duration
time = 20 - 30mins
what are the settings for burst mode
high frequency = 80 - 120 but in bursts
high intensity
short pulse duration
20 - 30 mins
how does conventional TENS work
It uses the pain-get method by stimulating A-alpha fibres to provide immediate pain relief to the area but with little carryover.
how does accupunture TENS work
it uses the opioid system by stimulating A-delta fibres to provide limited pain relief with a 5-6 hour carryover
how does burst TENS work
it stimulates A-beta and A-delta fibres to stimulate both the opioid and pain-gate systems to provide substantial pain relief and carryover.
which TENS pad goes on top and which one goes on the bottom
the black negative pad goes on top the red negative goes on the bottom
what are the contraindications of TENS
cardiac pacemakers, active epiphyseal regions, pregnancy, epilepsy, cancer, malignant tissue, cardiovascular conditions, dermatological conditions, allergy to electrodes, active infections
