Tens Flashcards
What is tens
Application of electrical stimulation for pain control
Does the endorphin theory a.k.a. opiate mediated theory
Decreases the perception of pain
stimulation of the bodies all natural pain reliever’s
simulation to muscle contraction level encourages release of natural endorphins
What is acupuncture theory
Tens stimulates acupuncture points in the same meridian using traditional acupuncture points
cause vasodilation to occur
What are the four types of stimulation
Subsensory level
sensory level
motor level
noxious level
How do you achieve a different level of sensation
By changing rate, pulse width and intensely
What is the Subsensory level
Currents of ion movement in a biological tissues
Approximated the naturally occuring bio electric current found in the body
What is the Subsensory level used for
Pain
Depression
Anxiety
What is Subsensory intended to do
Realign the natural current flow in the body
What level does conventional tens use
Sensory
What does the sensory lvl do
Produces a cutaneous paresthesia (pins and needles)
What does the sensory level affect
Large afferent a fibers
What are indications for sensory level 10
Acute pain
pain with positional or dynamic stretch
joint mobilization
Where should electrode placement be in sensory level
On or near the location of reported pain
What should the sensory level feel like
Comfy buzzing no contraction
When is pain relief felt on sensory level
5 min
May last up to one hour
Accommodation frequently occurs
What is motor level
Current is strong enough to cause contraction
Like a tremor twitch or smooth contraction
What is motor level used for
Chronic pain
What is sensory level known as
High rate tens
What is motor level known as
Acupuncture or low rate tens
Electrode placement in motor level
Over motor point
Over segmental nerve roots corresponding with location of pain
Indications for motor level
Chronic pain
Relief felt 15-60 min
Last for more that one hour
What is the noxious level
Brief and intense
Last choice
Produces motor response
What is noxious level used for
Chronic pain
Debridement
Passive stretch
Minor surgery
What is cranial electrotherapy stimulation
Applied to head attached to ears
What is ces used for
Anxiety Depression Insomnia Stress Drug addiction Migraines pain
What is inferential electrical stimulation.
Two medium frequency electrical currents
Waves cross and intersect each other allowing current to penetrate deeper
What is ies used for
Stimulate sensory motor and pain fibers Desperate than tens Pain relief Mm stim Increase blood flow Edema control
Where to place tens electrodes
Motor points
Trigger points
Acupuncture points
What are large ectrodes for
generalized pain
Multiple electrode set ups
What are small electrodes for
Deep localized pain
Greater current density
Small areas like face and hands
What do you use parallel placement of electrodes for
Scars
Surgical incision
Painful site
What do you use a bracket for
Outside margin of painful area
Channel 1 proximal and 2 distal to pain
What is closed tens for
Shoulder
Elbow
Wrist
Hand
What is linear placement for
Along distribution of referred pain, peripheral nerve, dermatomes
What is unilateral placement for
Placed on same side of body
Where is bilateral placement
Both sides of body Perihperal joint Spine Face Opposite extremity
When is Contralateral placement best
When area is irritable, hyperesthesic, inaccessible
Contraindications
Pacemaker Over carotid sinus Pregnant Anterior neck Cardiac disease Epilepsy Over eyes Mucosal surfaces CNS disorders Confused or noncomplaint Kids Thrombosis PeripherAl vascular disease Infection Decreased sensation.
What is the gate control theory
Simulation of non-nociceptors interferes with the transmission of sensation from nociceptors to the higher cortical areas
