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