The link between the brain and the body allowed technology developers to provide advanced therapeutic solutions to people suffering from painful neuropathy. One such solution is called TENS therapy, which stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, has been acclaimed to have brought not only relief, but also hope, to people experiencing neuropathy.
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy is when the nerves of an individual malfunctions or gets damaged, and in worst cases, the nerves die. Affected nerves are usually found in areas near the epidermis and peripheral nerves, which could worsen by stretching down to the toes and fingertips.
Neuropathy patients experience prickling sensations, electric shocks, burning, or pinching in their bodies, while some lose sensations in particular areas and feel numb. People with this condition have trouble sleeping as the pain in their feet and legs can be unbearable. The condition can be crippling, especially if not properly addressed with medication and other methods of pain relief.
About Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Therapy
The TENS therapy involves the placing of electrodes onto the skin to send electrical current in different frequencies, in levels proven to alleviate the pain felt by neuropathy patients. Actually, a TENS machine is powered by a battery when it sends electrical pulses via electrodes attached to the skin where the affected nerves are located. When prescribed by a physician, neuropathy patients use their TENS device consistently everyday for 30 minutes for about a month.
TENS therapy is most recommended to patients suffering from health conditions determined as cause or causes of painful neuropathy:
- Low back pain
- Peripheral artery disease
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendinitis
- Labor pain
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Bursitis
- Fibromyalgia
Alternative Treatment to TENS
Still, with the continuous developments of technology for the treatment of painful neuropathy, an alternative solution has been gaining popularity among neuropathy patients. This new treatment involves the use of monochromatic infrared energy. Through infrared technology, more blood will circulate in areas where nerves are affected, including the surrounding tissues that send messages of pain to the brain .
However, the treatment will not be successful through vibrations produced by infrared energy alone. In order for infrared technology to work toward lymphatic improvements and inflammation reduction, the therapy must combine with a healthy diet and taking of neuropathy treatment supplements among neuropathy sufferers. .