The Electrodes of a TENS Unit- Tens Unit Pad Placement

Do not place the Electrodes of a TENS Unit in dangerous areas of the body. You shouldn’t apply electrical impulses near the heart or other particularly sensitive

parts. Keep the patches away from:
Temples;
Mouth;
Eyes and ears;
Front or side of the neck, near the main arteries
Spine (however, you can arrange the electrodes transversely, on the sides of the spine);
Left chest, near the heart
Don’t put one electrode on your chest and one on your back;
Varicose veins;
Damaged skin or new, healing scars
Areas with poor tactile sensitivity.

Index

TENS can be used on any part of the body?

Avoid using TENS anywhere on your body if you have a medical condition that makes it dangerous. Some health conditions are not compatible with the procedure, which can even pose a serious danger.

If you have a pacemaker or other electrical device implanted in your body, the electrical impulses from TENS can interfere with the signal and prevent the meter from working.
If you have epilepsy, you may be more sensitive to electrical current and should not use this type of pain relief
If you have any disorder that alters the rhythm or heart rate, the heart may be extremely sensitive to electricity and undergo changes in its functionality;
If you are allergic to the material from which the electrode patches are made, you should choose hypoallergenic models;
If you are pregnant or think you are pregnant, do not use a TENS device without being prescribed by your doctor. The risks of this therapy during pregnancy are not known, so do not undergo it without the approval of the gynecologist; some women find it helpful in managing the suffering of labor, but you should ask the doctor if it is a safe solution for you and the baby;
If in doubt, talk to your doctor.

Don’t use TENS while doing certain activities. In some cases, it could be more risky.

If you are in the bath, shower or pool, remember that water changes the way and the areas where electricity is conducted;
Don’t undergo TENS unit pad placement while you sleep;
If you are driving a motor vehicle, the sensation triggered by the electrical impulses may distract you;
If you are using a machine, do not apply the device to avoid sudden interactions;
The electrical pulses from a TENS device shouldn’t cause problems for airlines, but you should always ask for permission before using it on a flight.

Have Realistic Expectations

Reduce possible disappointment by knowing what to expect. This kind of therapy doesn’t usually have an immediate effect, so you need to be patient.

Some people say it takes 40 minutes for the pain to subside.
Most patients find benefit only during therapy; once the device is turned off, the pain returns.
If the therapy is ineffective, it is essential to make an appointment with the physiotherapist to learn how to change the settings; in this way, you can find the most useful ones for your health condition.

Know which problems TENS is most effective

This therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals who suffer from muscle spasms or pains in certain parts of the body or due to certain problems:^[11]

Back;
Knees;
Neck;
Menstrual cramps
Sports injuries;
Arthritis.

Maximize the benefits by combining other pain management techniques.

Although people who cannot take analgesics find this device very useful, they are more likely to find a little more relief if using TENS in conjunction with other pain relief methods. For example

Both prescription and over-the-counter medications;
Exercise: Ask your doctor what type of physical activity is right for your health condition;
Relaxation Techniques: Depending on the cause of suffering, you can use TENS during meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or calming image viewing sessions