TENS Machine & EMS Machine Information
What is a TENS Machine?
TENS is an abbreviation of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.
Transcutaneous means “across the skin”. In simple terms, a Tens Machine stimulates your nerves via an electrical current through your skin.
A TENS Machine is an electronic medical device. A TENS machine may assist you in modest short-term pain relief.
The use of a TENS machine should be as one part of a pain management program under the guidance of your doctor or healthcare practitioner. Your health practitioner should always be consulted before using a TENS machine.
How does a TENS Machine provide Short-term Pain Relief?
Pain is thought to be controlled by TENS in one of two ways:
Sensory Level Stimulation – The Gate Control theory of pain means that the electrical input of the TENS machine interferes with the transmission of pain signals, by blocking the neural “gate” through which the pain travels.
Motor Level Stimulation – The goal of motor level stimulation is to cause the release of the body’s own opiate-like substances to achieve pain relief.
Private Health Insurance Rebate Information
- TENS Machine – Private Health Insurance Rebate
TENS Machines
- ActivBody TENS Machine
- ActivNatal Complete Kit
- Digital TENS Machine
- InControl TENS Machine
- NeuroTrac Rehab (TENS Machine + Electrical Muscle Stimulation)
- NeuroTrac TENS Machine
- PainEze plus TENS Machine
- Pro Tens Machine
- SportsMed Pro EMS & TENS Machine
- WiTouch Pro Wireless TENS Machine
Click here to view TENS Machine for Sale
EMS Machines (Electrical Muscle Stimulation)
- NeuroTrac Rehab (TENS Machine + Electrical Muscle Stimulation)
- NeuroTrac Sports – Electronic Muscle Stimulator
- NeuroTrac Sports XL – Electronic Muscle Stimulator
- SportsMed Pro EMS & TENS Machine
Where to Position Your TENS Machine Electrodes?
For specific advice on TENS machine electrode placements and TENS machine settings, you are advised to seek the professional assistance of a health professional with expertise in the use of TENS machines such as your physiotherapist.
Where NOT to Use Your TENS Machine
TENS machine or EMS electrodes should NEVER be placed:
- Across your eyes (intraocular pressure) or brain.
- On the front of your neck due to the risk of acute hypotension (through a vasovagal reflex) or even a laryngospasm.
- Through the chest (using a front and rear of chest wall electrode positions). Either side of your spinal column is permitted.
- Across an artificial cardiac pacemaker (or other indwelling stimulator, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), including across its leads) due to the risk of interference and failure of the implanted device. Serious accidents have been recorded in cases when this principle was not observed.
- On open wounds or broken skin areas (although it can be placed around wounds.
- Over a malignant tumour (based on experiments where electricity promotes cell growth).
- Directly over the spinal column (although it can be placed either side of your spinal column).
- Over mucosal membranes or internally, except for specific applications of dental, vaginal, and anal stimulation that employ specialised TENS units.
- Head or neck of stroke or epilepsy patients.
- Pregnant uterus.
- On areas of numb skin/decreased sensation TENS should be used with caution because it’s likely less effective due to nerve damage. It may also cause skin irritation due to the inability to feel currents until they are too high.
- Areas of Infection. There’s an unknown level of risk when placing electrodes over an infection (possible spreading due to muscle contractions). Cross contamination with the electrodes themselves is of greater concern eg dermatological conditions.
