Brief History of Electrotherapy
Since the times of ancient Rome electrical stimulation has been utilized for pain relief. Romans who suffered from headaches, gout, joint and muscle ache would walk down to the seashore of the Mediterranean sea and stand on electrical fish. Scribonius Largus, the court physician to Roman emperor Claudius, is known to have began this practice in 63 A.D. The electric eels that supplied this free source of electrical stimulation could emit high levels of electricity upon contact with human flesh. Early scientists would send mules to the rivers edge and trample through the muddy water to get electric catfish of the Nile River to surface and wrangle them into jars for further study.
Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Modern Times
The first patient-wearable TENS was patented in the United States in 1974. TENS devices were originally made for testing the tolerance of chronic pain patients to electrical stimulation before they implanted electrodes in the spinal cord. Patients found that TENS was more than adequate as a stimulant for pain relief itself, disqualifying the implantation of electrodes. TENS is not to be confused with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). TENS devices are for blocking pain whereas EMS is for stimulating muscles.
Chronic pain patients can receive TENS electrodes in several anatomical locations. Among those areas and their purpose include:
- low back pain
- neck pain
- tendinitis
- bursitis
- osteoarthritis
- labor pain
- cancer pain
How to Use TENS Pain Relief Device
- Test battery pack and make sure it’s fully charged. Turn both control knobs of TENS unit off before testing.
- Clean skin where electrodes will be placed with rubbing alcohol.
- Rub a small portion of gel on bottom of electrode.
- Put electrode pads on skin and use medical tape to keep them in place.
- Hook pin connectors with electrode wires in TENS unit.
- Turn control knobs on slowly, until you feel slight tingle sensation.
Rent Tens Units in Houston, TX From E Care Medical Supplies
Located in Houston, Texas, E-Care Medical Supplies is a family-owned and operated medical equipment store. E Care offers medical supplies for rent in Houston, Spring Valley, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Spring Pearland, Humble and many other cities in the state of Texas. In addition to Tens Unit rentals, E Care offers electric wheelchairs, recliner lift chairs, walkers, hospital beds and various other home medical equipment devices. For a selection of their available rental listings, visit the E-Care Medical Supplies rental store.
