3. Working Of Nerve Stimulator
● Electric current produced by a device.
● Used to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes.
● The unit is usually connected to the skin using two or more electrodes.
● These Electrodes are typically conductive gel type.
4. Medical Uses:
● Used as a non-invasive nerve stimulation intended to reduce both acute and
chronic pain.
● Has been shown not to be effective in postoperative and labour pain.
● Has been extensively used in non-odontogenic orofacial pain relief
5. Discovery Of TENS
● Electrical stimulation for pain control was used in ancient Rome.
● It was reported by Scribonius Largus that pain was relieved by standing on an
electrical fish at the seashore.
● In the 16th to 18th century various electrostatic devices were used for
headache and other pains.
● Benjamin Franklin was a proponent of this method for pain relief.
● In the 19th century a device called the electreat, along with numerous other
devices were used for pain control and cancer cures.
● Only the electreat survived into the 20th century, but was not portable, and
had limited control of the stimulus.
● Development of the modern TENS unit is generally credited to C. Norman
Shealy.
●
The first modern, patient-wearable TENS was patented in the United States in
1974.
6. TENS should not be used on:-
● Over the eyes due to the risk of increasing intraocular pressure
● Transcerebrally
● On the front of the neck due to the risk of an acute hypotension (through a
vasovagal response) or even a laryngospasm
● Through the chest using an anterior and posterior electrode positions or
other transthoracic applications understood as "across a thoracic diameter;
this does not preclude coplanar applications
7. TENS should not be used on (continued...)
● Internally, except for specific applications of dental, vaginal, and anal
stimulation that employ specialized TENS units
● On broken skin areas or wounds, although it can be placed around wounds
● Over a tumor/malignancy (based on in vitro experiments where electricity
promotes cell growth)
● Directly over the spinal column