Electrotherapy for Back Pain

Electrotherapy is a common name for various treatments that use electricity to fight back pain. The most common form is called TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). These are devices that deliver electricity into the body through the use of electrodes applied to the skin.

Electrotherapy

The usual form of treatment is called High Frequency Stimulation. It is relatively comfortable, but the resulting pain relief is only short term. Low Frequency Stimulation has a longer lasting result, but is less comfortable to receive the treatment.

How Does Electrotherapy Work?

TENS units work by blocking signals that pass along the nerves. Nerve messages are electrical in nature and the current from the TENS unit disrupts the neurological signal. Another benefit of using a TENS Unit is that electricity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body.

Electric therapy is very controversial and very little definitive evidence exists proving that it actually works at all. Regardless, TENS units remain a very popular device for controlling back pain and have enjoyed wide spread usage. Some patients have claimed that this treatment has worked wonders for them, but scientists often speculate that this reaction might be a conditioned response or placebo.

The Bottom Line on Electrotherapy

I would advise that electrical therapy is most likely minimally effective or possibly a placebo treatment for back pain. Independent studies have shown a similar rate of success comparing real TENS Unit stimulation and a device designed to simulate actual electric therapy treatment.

There have been rare reports of heart and/or blood pressure problems developing from electricity therapy. It is also linked to problems with pregnancy and should be avoided by any woman who might be pregnant.

I have personally tried several different varieties of deep and superficial electric treatments. I found the sensation to be annoying and sometimes even painful. I never received any back pain relief from any of them. I think the only effect I ever noticed from TENS was to make me cranky from getting zapped for an hour with no benefit!!!

�Of course, your experience might be a completely different story. If you believe in the therapy, it will most likely work for you.

Electrotherapy to Back Pain Home page 5/29/06 Revised 5/27/08