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TENS(Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
is often used for the temporary relief of pain due to the various forms
of arthritis. TENS when used for the treatment of pain is never intended
as a replacement for medications or physical therapies, but as an adjunct
to these other therapies.
Where oral medication is being used mainly to control pain, then it
is common to find that patients using TENS reduce their intake of analgaesics.
In fact, this is a common question asked of patients in pain clinics to
determine if the TENS is being effective.
However, if medication is being taken primarily to reduce inflammation
( e.g. in active or controlled Rheumatoid arthritis ), then one would have
to very careful in reducing one's medication. Otherwise reducing one's
medication could lead to a recurrence of the active inflammation. Therefore,
it is very important that TENS always be used under the direction of medical
practitioner. |
