The machine and silicone electrode pads are all one unit so once set up it can be used multiple times with ease - without having to remove and reattach the pads to the machine each time. According to a 2014 review, HF TENS treats pain more effectively than LF TENS. In fact, many studies have found LF TENS to be ineffective. Our physical and mental wellbeing is more important than ever, but what happens when simple aches turn into long-term ailments and chronic or acute pain sets in? Nobody wants to stop enjoying daily activities that keep their body and mind active, but when pain prevails it’s time to let the power of TENS take the lead. External Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation is delivered by the Cefaly device which is designed to prevent and treat migraine. What is external trigeminal nerve stimulation? Our VCS range offers varying levels of support from mild to moderate to firm to provide optimum protection and stability. As a one size solution, these supports are fully adjustable to allow for a custom fit. In addition to this, the heat therapeutic neoprene helps to warm muscles and joints during exercise and rehabilitation, making the VCS range perfect for supporting instability during weights and gym training, as well as helping strains, sprains and weak, arthritic joints.

Acupuncture: this is proven very effective for chronic tension headaches. There has been multiple studies done that provide evidence to support acupuncture as a nonpharmacologic method to treat episodic and chronic headaches. The pads are placed on either side of, on top of, or close to the painful area. When switched on you get a tingling sensation under the pads. Aim for a strong, but comfortable, sensation. The right sensation for you can be found using the controls on the TENS machine. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This involves talking about and identifying stresses to minimize the occurrence and severity of tension headaches.O’Connor D, et al. (2020). Self-directed home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with advanced cancer and poor performance status: A feasibility study. A person should be careful when placing the TENS electrodes during pregnancy. Putting them in certain locations can cause labor contractions. These areas include: Yes. You can place electrode pads on your temples or the sides of the head. for relief from tension headaches. Be careful and always start on the lowest setting on the TENS unit as the temples are very sensitive. If you start to feel any pain from the TENS unit lower the intensity. A TENS device is about the size of a small cell phone. It comes with several sets of electrodes, wires and end pads. Here’s how it works:

Two studies, involving 87 patients, looked at how well the procedure works, and showed the benefits of reduced migraine after 3 months of treatment with the device. NICE guidance Intermittently during the day, during a rest break, perhaps in combination with relaxation techniques.As always, please consult your physician to see if TENS therapy is an option for you. Other treatments for tension headaches

Switch on the machine slowly and turn it up gradually until you feel a tingling sensation. The sensation needs to be quite strong but not uncomfortable. After a few minutes the sensation will start to drop away slightly. This is called accommodation. When this happens, turn the machine up slightly and then leave it for the rest of the time in use. Do not turn it up too high, as this can cause over-stimulation which may make pain worse. There should be no muscle contraction. gammaCore is CE-mark approved, meaning it meets the European safety, health, and environmental protection requirements. How does it work? In May 2016 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the use of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve for treating and preventing migraine, in relation to the Cefaly device. NICE found that there were no major safety concerns, but the evidence for the effectiveness of Cefaly was limited. The NICE recommendation is that Cefaly should only be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit or research. If you are interested in trying Cefaly, speak to your doctor initially. Purchasing a Cefaly device Connect the pads to the pins on the lead wire and position pads onto the skin area, leaving at least four fingers width in between the pads.

Warnings

Treatment modes: Units with various treatment modes allow a person to choose a mode that offers relief for a specific body area. A TENS unit has controls that allow people to administer an appropriate level of pain relief. People can achieve this by altering the following aspects of the electrical current:

Some TENS machines are marketed for use in labour and childbirth as a drug-free alternative to pain relief, although there are limits to the pain relief that TENS can achieve in this situation. When should I not use a TENS machine? The NHS Long Term Plan set committed to using the latest treatments and therapies to improve patient care. The Perfect TENS Machine has several features to ensure the best electronic pain relief for your needs. Alternatively, they can gradually increase the intensity or duration of TENS on a daily basis. Stimulation intensity Wright, A. (2012, March 13). Exploring the evidence for using TENS to relieve pain. Nursing Times, 108(11), 20–23The NHS was the first country in the world to deliver the Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccines outside of a clinical trial.