Frequently Used Electrotherapy Devices

by Mitchell J. Reiff

CEO/President

Medical Products Online, Inc.

 TENS Units

• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Primarily used for managing chronic pain. Works by blocking the pain signal, and by increasing endorphins in the body. Can be worn all day or on an as needed basis. Device features include adjustable pulse rate, pulse width, and amplitude (intensity). Higher priced units offer modulation (variations) of pulse rate, width, and/or amplitude settings, and other user friendly features. Placements of electrodes are usually at pain site or along the nerve channels, called dermatomes.

MUSCLE STIMULATOR (NMES)

• Neuromuscular Electrical Nerve Stimulation Primarily used for preventing disuse atrophy (muscle wasting). Stronger than a TENS unit, with a wider pulse width to elicit muscle contraction for a period of time. More than just nerve stimulation, muscles are contracted and relaxed on and off to strengthen muscles, increase blood circulation to the area, and/or to reduce edema. Device features include adjustable pulse rate, width, amplitude, ramp, alternating or synchronous stimulation. Higher priced devices offer accessory jacks for remote switches, AC Adapters, and other user friendly features. Electrode placement is very important, mostly over motor points or on the belly of muscles.

HVPG

• High Volt Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation Primarily used for quickly increasing circulation or reducing edema in a specified area. Also used widely by PT's for wound healing. Uses high voltage and direct current (DC) as opposed to low voltage and alternating current (AC) common in TENS or NMES. Device features include adjustable pulse rate, positive or negative polarity switch, alternating or synchronous stimulation. Large "dispersive" pad is needed to ground the current. Smaller "active" pads are placed over treatment site.

INF

• Interferential Stimulation Primarily used to manage deep chronic pain. INF current uses very high pulse rate. usually 4001-4150 pulses per second. This higher frequency goes through the skin and muscle better than TENS or other modalities thus can be more effective in pain control. Provides more analgesic, or nerve blocking effect. Device features include adjustable pulse rate, two or four electrode treatment selection, and modulation of pulse rate. Because of such frequency, these devices will require a lot of power. Batteries will not last long. AC Adapters are usually provided with device. Electrode placement should be in an "X" pattern, as the point of intersection provides a third stronger frequency.

MENS

• Microcurrent Electrical Nerve Stimulation Microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation (M.E.N.S) uses micro-amperage current as opposed to millamperage current which is found primarily in T.E.N.S. devices. Microamp current is 1/1000 of a milliamp current and is closer to our own body's natural healing current.

Whereas TENS is used generally for relief of pain, MENS is thought to work more on a cellular level and aids in the healing process while relieving pain. It has been found that MENS can help increase levels of a chemical called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) which promotes protein synthesis and healing in tissue cells.

MENS is a very subtle, yet powerful current, and treatment levels are usually sub-sensory--the patient barely feels the stimulation. In many cases where TENS or other electrotherapy modalities have been unsuccessful, MENS has been proven to be effective.

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