Does Tiny Zaps of Electricity Block Nerves and Ease Back Pain?

Various treatments for back pain have been developed over the years; some are effective, but most give minimal relief if they give relief at all. One treatment modality being bandied about is electrotherapy – the use of electricity along nerve pathways to block pain. There are two methods of electrotherapy – TENS and electro-acupuncture.

What is TENS?

TENS is the acronym for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; the therapy sends electrical pulses along nerve pathways to stimulate the nerves and block pain. The unit is connected to the skin via electrodes, and the TENS unit sends impulses at a specified width, frequency, and intensity. TENS pulses can be high frequency and low intensity (no motor contractions) or low frequency and high intensity (causes motor contractions). 

Uses for TENS

TENS has been used effectively in physical therapy, to relieve muscle spasms. At low frequency and high intensity, the TENS unit contracts muscles; for patients with severe spasms, the therapy gently works the muscle until the spasm releases. 

TENS has also been used as a pain therapy. When the pain is chronic, and not involving the muscles, TENS is used in the high frequency – low intensity mode, to stimulate nerves. The stimulation blocks pain receptors, easing the pain felt in the treated area.

Is TENS Effective?

Whether or not TENS is effective depends on whom you ask; in clinical settings, patients report significant pain relief from TENS therapy, but there are no research studies to back up the empirical evidence. Research studies should be taken with a grain of salt, as studies can prove any point a researcher wishes to make. How the study was conducted, who paid for it, and who actually did the research all come into play, as some studies are done with the idea of discrediting therapies the mainstream medical community does not approve of instead of objectively evaluating the treatment on its own merit. Empirical evidence suggests TENS is effective at joint pain relief, and until a well-conducted study is made that disproves it, the empirical evidence is enough to support the therapy.

What is Electro-acupuncture?

Electro-acupuncture is a form of traditional acupuncture done with needle and an electrical current, as opposed to just using needles.

Traditional acupuncture is based on the concept of chi, or energy, flowing through the body. When the body is healthy, chi flows along meridians without interruption. When a state of disease occurs, the meridians involved in the disease become blocked, and the energy flow is reduced or stopped.

Acupuncture is used to release the blockage, allowing energy to flow freely. The therapy involves inserting needles into nerves along the blocked meridian, stimulating the nerves and freeing the blockage. Sometimes it is necessary to manipulate the needles to effect the release, and this is where electro-acupuncture comes into play. 

The acupuncturist inserts needles along the affected meridians just the same as an acupuncturist does for traditional acupuncture. The needles are then connected, via small clips, to a device producing an electrical current. This device, like a TENS unit, controls the frequency intensity, and width of the electrical impulse. The current provides continuous stimulation to the nerves in the meridian without the necessity of hand manipulation of the needles by the acupuncturist. Electro-acupuncture can provide continuous stimulation of the meridian for up to 30 minutes at a time. Most people cannot sustain a fine-motor activity for this length of time, so electro-acupuncture fills the void caused by fatigue.

Is Electro-acupuncture Effective on Back Pain?

Whether electro-acupuncture is effective on pain, back or otherwise, depends again on whom you ask. Patients find electro-acupuncture effective on pain, just as they do TENS, but again, there is no hard research to satisfy the Western skeptic. This is true for traditional acupuncture as well, although most mainstream practitioners have come to accept traditional acupuncture as effective.

When chronic back pain is muscular in nature, both TENS and electro-acupuncture are effective in treating it. If the pain is neurological, both treatments may be effective, but success is not guaranteed. When used in conjunction with hot and cold therapies, and topical analgesics, electrotherapy can be efficacious on chronic pain. When the alternative is mainstream analgesics, electrotherapy is certainly worth trying, as mainstream analgesics come with a host of nasty side effects, and are to be avoided if at all possible.
TENS and electro-acupuncture are safe, effective treatments when performed by knowledgeable practitioners; do your homework, and find certified therapists.

No therapy is effective on every patient, so there are no guarantees electrotherapy will work for you. Then again, there are no guarantees it won’t work, either, so give it a try. You’ve got nothing to lose but your pain.

References:

https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/health-news/tens-pain-management-introduces-new-remedy67890.html

https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health

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Back Pain - Causes, Prevention and Treatments

If you're suffering from back pain, you are not alone. In fact, it has been estimated that some 31 million Americans are suffering from painful back conditions at any given time - and they're spending a combined $50 billion dollars each year as they seek out treatment and relief. So what's the solution? In this quick guide to back pain, we will take a look at prevention techniques, treatment options, and the key signs that you should see a back pain specialist.

What causes back pain, and how can it be prevented?

Back pain can be caused by numerous factors. Often, individuals will suffer from stress-induced muscle spasms, twisting or contorting their bodies, or through sports injuries. Back problems can also be related to scoliosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, kidney stones, poor posture, etc. In some cases, back pain cannot be completely avoidable, but there are certain tactics that can help to prevent problems. Maintaining a healthy weight and diet is a significant factor in back health, as well as maintaining good posture when sitting at a desk for extended periods of time. It's also important to warm up and stretch before engaging in any type of physical activity - from exercise to sports or even gardening. When lifting objects, be sure to lift from your knees, keeping the object close to your body and avoid any twisting movements. Always ask for help if something is too heavy or award to lift.

How can back pain be treated?

Upon pulling a muscle in your back, or inflammation, you should immediately use cold treatment methods to ease any further swelling or spread of the pain. For chronic pain or muscle spasms, it is advisable to use warm, moist heat for relief. Hot baths or a heating pad can be very effective. If you choose, you may also elect to continue cold therapy to numb any deep pain. Be sure to carefully stretch and exercise your back, but never to the point where further pain is caused as a result. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications or topical analgesics may also help to relieve your symptoms.

When should I see a back pain specialist in NYC?

If, after attempting these home remedies for back pain for several days you have seen no improvement, it is advisable that you consult with a back pain specialist. There are also certain cases in which you should immediately seek medical attention. This is advisable if you experience:

• Numbness or tingling
• Pain after a fall or injury
• Problems with urinating
• Weakness
• Fever
• Weight loss (if not on a diet)

From here, your back pain specialist may need to order urine or blood tests, or run X-Rays to properly diagnose the source of your symptoms. Depending on the results, your specialist may recommend physical therapy, a visit to a chiropractor, deep tissue massage, laser treatments, numbing injections, or prescription pain medications and/or muscle relaxers to help you to find relief from your pain and move forward with a happier, healthier life.


Never ignore the signs that your body is giving you. Your health is of the utmost importance, so if you are in pain or discomfort, you should not hesitate to contact a back pain specialist NYC. By following these simple tips, you can keep your back in good shape for the future.

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Ways To Get Lower Back Pain Relief At Home

Experiencing pain in any part of the body can turn out to be bothersome and frustrating. Chronic cases in particular can reduce productivity, and consequently eat up some of one’s self-esteem. That said, providing immediate solutions to pain is definitely a must even when a person is at home and only has limited resources.
 

Lower back pain is one of the more common body pains that people usually experience. The back is an essential part of the body that supports much of an individual’s weight, which is why it can be prone to strain. Certain accidents may also cause injury on the back. Bone disease and old age are also some of the common reasons why both younger and older adults may complain of lower back pain.

Fortunately, not all lower back pains would necessitate professional medical help. A lot of people may panic at the first sensation of pain on the lower back especially if they’ve heard of friends or family members who were eventually diagnosed with disorders of the bone or kidneys following onset of back pain. As earlier mentioned, strain can cause pain such as when one lifts heavy things or bends over to pick up something using poor body mechanics. This type of back pain can be remedied using simple methods and even when one is just at home:

1. Cold application

Using an ice pack, apply cold compress directly on the affected area to reduce any swelling. According to studies, cold compress is ideally applied within 48 hours after onset of pain, followed by heat application. The latter can be effective in relieving pain within the first 48 hours; however, it could also aggravate the inflammation process.

     2.  Rest
Pain due to strain should be alleviated with rest, albeit in moderation. Experiencing lower back pain sure can be agonizing, but this does not give one a ticket to go on a sick leave for one week and enjoy the perks of a “complete bed rest” order. Just carry on with the daily grind, except maybe for the more strenuous parts.

     3.  Pain medications
There are quite a number of pain medications that provide lower back pain relief. Among the most common are NSAIDs or Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Aside from combating pain, they also cure fever, and prevent inflammation. Aspirin is also another type of pain medication, but must not be taken by individuals who are younger than 20 years old as it can cause Reye’s Syndrome.

All these home remedies can work each on their own, or altogether. You just have to see which ones work best for you and for the magnitude of pain that you are experiencing. You also have to be wary of the fact that if the aforementioned measures don’t work for you, it’s perhaps high time to see a professional medical specialist especially if pain is accompanied by any of the

• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Fever
• Bleeding
• pain that disrupts even simple tasks.

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