How Does a TENS Unit Help Neck Pain?

Introduction

A Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit is a tool commonly used both in the home as well as in alternative wellness centers and chiropractic offices to help relieve muscle pain. When affixed to the skin, the unit emits low-level electrical impulses that penetrate deep into the muscles, helping to relieve pain.

Electrical Pulses

TENS units put out between 80 and 90 megahertz (MHz) in each pulse. The unit produces these electrical pulses and directs them through wires into electrodes that are placed on the skin above the affected neck muscles. The strength of the pulse can be manipulated by manually changing the setting on the dial until the effects of the pulse can be felt.

Nerve Impulses

When pain occurs in a neck muscle, electrical pain signals are sent from the surrounding nerves through the nervous system to the brain. The brain then interprets these signals as pain originating from the neck. When a TENS unit is turned on, the electrical impulses of the unit interrupt the pain impulses being sent to the brain. As long as the pain signal does not reach the brain, you will not feel the neck pain.

Nerve Fibers

A TENS unit works by specifically targeting the large nerve fibers of the body. Pain travels through the smaller nerve fibers, but it is the large nerve fibers that can close off the signals of the small nerve fibers at the spinal cord. This is called the "gate control theory of pain" since the large fibers when interrupted by a TENS electrical impulse act as a gateway that can shut off the signals from the small nerve fibers .

References

• TENS units operations and sales
• TENS pain relief