Electrical Nerve Stimulation

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KEY POINTS

• Electrical nerve stimulation treatments use electrical impulses to relieve pain and help injured muscles heal.
• There are different types of electrical nerve stimulation. Some use patches on your skin and others use needles.
• You should not have this treatment if you are pregnant or have a pacemaker.

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What is electrical nerve stimulation?

Electrical nerve stimulation refers to treatments that use electrical impulses to relieve pain and help injured muscles heal.

When is it used?

Electrical nerve stimulation is often used as part of a physical therapy program. It may be used to help treat:

• Neck and back pain
• Arthritis
• Sports injuries

You should not have this treatment if you are pregnant because of health risks to the baby.

How do I prepare for this treatment?

Usually no preparation is needed for this treatment.

What happens during the treatment?

There are different types of electrical nerve stimulation:

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses wires on patches that stick to your skin. The patches are placed on the skin over or near the painful or injured area. Electrical impulses can be sent through the wires to nerves in the skin. The electrical impulses stop the nerve from carrying pain signals to the brain. They may also help your body release endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers. The impulses are not painful, but stronger impulses can produce a strong tingling feeling.

  You may be able to use a small battery-operated TENS device while you go about your usual activities.

• Interferential current therapy (IFC) uses a higher frequency that can get to deeper tissues than TENS. IFC can treat areas such as the shoulder.
• Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) uses needles inserted into your skin to deliver the electrical impulses. PENS can deliver the impulses to a more precise area than TENS. This treatment is usually given at your provider’s office or a physical therapy clinic.

What are the risks of this treatment?

Every procedure or treatment has risks. Some possible risks of this treatment include:

• Your skin may be irritated by the electrodes.
• Your skin could be injured if the settings for the electrical stimulation are too high or if the electrodes are put in the wrong place.
• You should not have this treatment if you have a pacemaker because it could interfere with the electrical impulses of the pacemaker.

Ask your healthcare provider how these risks apply to you. Be sure to discuss any other questions or concerns that you may have.