TENS (Conventional and Low-Frequency Only)

Question 1

Indications

Answer 1

• Pain (acute or chronic)

Question 2

Contraindications

Answer 2

• Through the brain
• Over carotid sinus
• Pregnancy
• Mental impairment
• Over the eyes
• Hemorrhage, infection, malignancy (HIM)
• Pacemaker
• Through the heart
• Circulatory impairment
• Sensory impairment

Question 3

Physiological Effects

Answer 3

• Selective depolarization of sensory, sensory-motor, or sensory-motor-nociceptive nerve fibers
• Large diameter group A-beta fibers close the spinal gate by inhibiting pain-transmitting T-cells, which prevent nociceptive input to the brain where it would be perceived as pain
• Small-diameter group C and A-delta fibers open the spinal gate and trigger the opiate system

Question 4

Protocol

Answer 4

Pads placed over (2 channels, 4 pads)

• Target tissue
• Dermatome
• Acupuncture points
• Trigger points
• Nerve distribution

Time
- 20 minutes to 23 hours

Conventional (Gate Control; acute!)

• 85 pps (frequency)
• 75 micro-seconds (pulse width)
• Sensory (intensity)

Low Frequency (Opiates; chronic!)

• 5 pps (frequency)
• 200 micro-seconds (pulse width)
• Mild motor (intensity)