How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for shoulder pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

The shoulders give power and stability to the movements of the lower extremities. Without this joint you would not be able to move your arms, so every time you extend your hand to grasp an object, you are using it. This makes it, along with the hips, elbows and knees, the most used joint in the anatomy.

At the same time, it is also one of the joints that accumulates the most wear and tear over the years, making it highly susceptible to injury. Luckily, electrotherapy makes TENS and EMS available to relieve all kinds of shoulder pain and prevent them, and today we'll show you how to use both to your benefit.

How to use a TENS machine to relieve shoulder pain?

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy has been studied for many years to earn a place as a valid option for shoulder pain relief, as it was initially thought to be a pseudoscience with effects more characteristic of a placebo than a valid form.

Now, it is known to have an enormous amount of benefits such as:

• Increased pain threshold: by increasing the amount of neurotransmitters needed by the brachial and axillary nerves to send information about the noxious impulse, which will then reach the spinal cord to be sent to the brain so you can feel pain from tendonitis, bursitis or humerus fracture.
• Reduces the production of pain neurotransmitters: substances such as serotonin, a chemical necessary to activate the nerve receptors that will inform the brain about the pain, are greatly reduced during and after an effective TENS session.
• It relaxes the affected muscles: as it prevents the reciprocal innervation that causes a muscle to tighten when feeling pain, seriously affecting pain relief. With TENS, a complete relaxation of the supraspinatus, medial round and deltoid muscles that make up the rotator cuff and shoulder is achieved.
• Stimulates cell regeneration: by relieving pain and relaxing the deltoid and rotator cuff muscles, the body can focus on activating the regeneration of the damaged cells without any interference, which helps to achieve a faster recovery from the injury.

In addition, it is worth noting that in this way you will avoid the use of drugs that generate dependence and damage your kidneys. These benefits make TENS a therapy supported by specialists in the world to relieve pain from injuries such as:

• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Pinched nerves
• Muscle overloads
• Shoulder fracture

Best TENS machines for shoulder injury recovery

Here is a list of the best TENS units you can use to relieve pain from almost any shoulder injury you may have:

This electrostimulation unit brought to light by iReliev, is a powerful and versatile machine that combines the latest in TENS and EMS technology to create a device that will allow you to develop the strength, size and tone of your muscles, along with gentle stimulation designed to treat all types of muscle and joint ailments caused by injury, fatigue or illness.

It has a total of 14 massage modes, of which 7 are TENS-type currents for pain relief, 1 mode for arthritis pain treatment, and 6 modes for muscle recovery and therapy. In addition, you can adjust the intensity to any of its 25 levels, and define the duration of each session from 5 to 60 minutes thanks to its timer function.

The AUVON electro stimulator is at the forefront of electro stimulation technology, combining TENS and EMS stimulation technologies to obtain one of the most complete treatments for acute and chronic pain, caused by injuries or illnesses, as well as an incredible complement for physical conditioning thanks to its muscle stimulation technology.

It has 20 modes of use that apply different types of massages oriented to treat a wide variety of ailments, and with its independent channel control mode you will have the possibility of configuring different programs for each of the channels individually, to apply different types of massages in various areas of the body.

The OSITO brand has one of the most compact and practical models of wireless electrostimulator on the market, with TENS and EMS electrotherapy functions, which will allow you to relieve any type of ailment, while creating electrical pulses that activate the muscle fibers, greatly improving your physical condition.

Its compact size and long-lasting rechargeable lithium battery make it the epitome of portability, as you can take it anywhere. It has 11 modes of use and 25 intensity levels that allow for a deep soothing effect. Each of the 11 modes provides a different type of massage and because the electrical impulses stimulate the human body's pain tolerance capacity, it does not require the use of medication.

This wireless mini massager, brought to you by TENS MAKER, is one of the most compact and versatile ways to combat aches and pains caused by illness and injury with 15 levels of intensity to suit any type of pain. Its compact size and discretion make it totally portable, so you can make use of this amazing device at any time and place.

Upon purchase, you will receive not one, but two TENS devices, along with 4 gel pads, 2 sets of interchangeable batteries, 1 storage case and 1 instruction manual. This is one of the best cordless massage machines you will find, providing immediate relief for any type of ailment.

The FlexHeat electrostimulator, a product of the Flextone brand, is one of the most versatile and safe options for the treatment of joint and muscle ailments thanks to its TENS electrostimulation technology and its heat therapy function, as well as an excellent complement for muscle development and strengthening thanks to the EMS electrical impulses.

To get the most out of this powerful device, you only need 20 to 30 minutes of use per day. It has 8 predefined modes of use that can be combined with its 20 intensity levels to create a very complete range of massages that can reach the deep tissue of the treated area, generating a sensation of instant relief.

How to use EMS muscle electro stimulator for shoulder?

The muscle contractions achieved with EMS will help you to have strong and well-defined shoulders in an easier way, since the deltoids are undoubtedly one of the most difficult muscles to train and tone, since many of the movements in exercises such as rowing to the neck, put a lot of joint tension and facilitate the appearance of injuries.

That is why many prefer to use EMS to train the shoulders and trapezius, because in addition to being simpler it has benefits such as:

• Avoid joint stress: exercises such as barbell rowing or standing pull ups put a lot of stress on the joint by subjecting it to too much stress. With EMS training this does not happen because you can exercise the muscle without having to mobilize the rotator cuff or humerus.
• Improves muscle response: since EMS currents used on a regular basis speed up the recruitment of muscle fibers of the deltoids and trapezius, making them offer greater power to perform explosive efforts, which will considerably improve the athlete's performance.
• Prevents injuries: not only by avoiding tension in the shoulders, but also because it improves oxygenation of the muscle fibers, making them healthier and your deltoids much more resistant to overuse injuries or tears, cramps and strains as they will be more elastic as well.
• Avoid the appearance of trigger points: if you reduce the intensity of the current you can get a smooth contraction in your deltoids and trapezius, which will release tension in the myofascial tissue and prevent the appearance of the so-called trigger points that generate pain and can ruin your lifestyle.
• Improves blood flow: since, during the sessions and several minutes after it, the blood vessels will dilate so that much more blood flows through your deltoids, trapezius and rotator cuff muscles, which in turn will improve the absorption of nutrients, oxygenation of the fibers and the assimilation of lactic acid post-training.

Best EMS electrostimulators to strengthen shoulder muscles

Now we present you the best muscle electrostimulation machines that you can use to exercise your deltoid, trapezius and rotator cuff muscles.

One of the most versatile products of the Compex brand is its Compex Mini electro stimulator, which is focused on providing the greatest possible comfort to the user, thanks to its compact size and its convenient application, which allows you to control it very easily from your mobile device. It consists of 2 pods that use TENS technology controllable from the app, which is compatible for Android and Apple.

It has a rechargeable battery that can provide an autonomy of up to 7 hours per charge, 6 unique training programs focused on different branches of fitness to help you achieve your goals, and compatibility with your mobile for easy use. It is recommended for those physically active people looking for a compact, portable and natural way to deal with workout-related ailments.

The OSITO electric neck massager is one of the most precise electrostimulation units available, with an ergonomic design designed exclusively to adapt to the neck area and apply TENS electrical impulses to the most sensitive areas, relieving any type of ailment.

It has 9 modes of use and 50 intensity levels that allow access to the deep tissue of the neck, to offer complete relief of any type of ailment. It can be switched between TENS and effective heat therapy modes very easily thanks to its remote control, and its high capacity battery allows an autonomy of several hours with just a few minutes of charging.

The PowerDot 2.0 portable electro-stimulator is a powerful and compact nerve stimulation device that uses the latest in TENS electrotherapy technology to promote the relief of any type of ailment, whether muscular or nervous, efficiently and quickly by means of low-intensity electrical discharges that interact with the nervous system, reducing the sensation of pain.

Unlike most wireless devices, the PowerDot is not controlled by a remote control, but by a versatile mobile application that allows you to navigate and run its 400+ customised programmes quickly and easily, and its compact, discreet and stylish design allows you to carry it with you at all times and wear it under your clothes whenever you want.

The iSTIM EV-805 is one of the most versatile and complete electrostimulation units you can find on the market. For starters, it features the powerful combination of TENS and EMS modalities, which means you can use it for the treatment of various types of pain, as well as for fitness and muscle toning.

Among its best features are its 4-channel function that allows you to apply individual massage programs on different parts of the body, its long-life rechargeable battery and its 24 preset modes designed to effectively treat acute and chronic ailments.

Massage Therapy Concepts presents its TENS/EMS electrostimulation machine, which combines the best qualities of both technologies to generate a viable option with which to treat pain caused by various injuries and diseases, as well as stimulate muscle mass to increase strength and definition. All this integrated in 12 modes of use with different intensities and levels, designed for different types of ailments.

Its dual channel function allows you to treat multiple areas of the body simultaneously, and its easy to use mode allows you to set the massage modes without any problems. It has a timer that you can set up to 60 minutes, and an LCD display that allows you to visualize all the procedures very easily.

Video: How to place the electrodes pads on the shoulder?

Electrodes for shoulder

• For shoulder bursitis: Bursitis generates localized pain at the top of the shoulder, so the electrodes should enclose that point of pain.
• For tendinitis and rotator cuff tear: For tendinitis or supraspinatus tear, the electrodes should be placed on the front side of the shoulder at its limitation with the chest, since it is in this area where the muscle inserts with the head of the humerus.
• For deltoid contracture: Deltoid contracture should be treated locally with TENS, so the electrodes should be positioned on the deltoids.
• For rotator cuff: The rotator cuff is composed of the subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor. Luckily these muscles are close to each other, so you can easily strengthen them by placing the EMS electrodes correctly.
• For the deltoids: The deltoids are those big muscles that shape the shoulder. They are the easiest to train with EMS and you only need to place the electrodes as shown in the images.
• For the trapezius: As with the deltoids, training the trapezius is a fairly simple task, as they are muscles that are in a clear area.

More types of EMS stimulators and TENS machines you should know about

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for abdominal pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for ankle pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for arm & forearm pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for back pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for calf pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for elbow pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for face pain and toothache? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for foot pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for hamstrings muscle pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for hand & wrist pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for hip pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for joint pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for knee pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for legs pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for lower back pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for muscle pain? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for neck pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for quadriceps muscle pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for shoulder pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for thigh pain relief? Placement of electrode pads

Most common types of shoulder injuries

Shoulder injuries usually have various causes, from overuse of the joint, to blows and sometimes even related to poor diet. Among the most common ailments we can highlight the following:

• Rotator cuff tendinitis: this consists of the inflammation of one of the ligaments of the three muscles that make up the rotator cuff, with the supraspinatus tendon generally being the most prone to inflammation as it is the one that receives the most load in all movements. This injury generates a sharp pain when trying to move the shoulder, and is usually accompanied by inflammation of the shoulder.
• Rotator cuff tear: this injury occurs when the tendon that joins the humerus with the supraspinatus muscle ruptures, limiting the mobility of the joint and causing excruciating pain that is always accompanied by inflammation. It is a serious injury that in 100% of the cases requires surgical intervention.
• Bursitis of the shoulder: it is the inflammation of the synovial fluid bag that cushions the friction between the humerus and the acromion. It is a very common injury in basketball and tennis players, which is usually solved with rest and the application of TENS to relieve pain while the tissue recovers.
• Shoulder fracture: consists of the cracking of one of the bones that make up the joint, the acromion being the most prone to fracture. This injury is the result of a strong blow, either by direct impact, a fall or a traffic accident. Depending on the degree of the fracture, surgery may be required for recovery.
• Shoulder dislocation: occurs when one of the bones in the joint moves out of its natural position, which may also result in other injuries such as torn ligaments and muscles. The humerus is the most prone to dislocation.

Differences between TENS and EMS: Which one to use for shoulder pain?

To relieve pain from shoulder injuries without using drugs we can resort to electrotherapy. First there is the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS, this uses currents that directly influence the brachial nerves that run along the trapezius and down the armpit, also forming the axillary nerve. The aim is to alter the sensory qualities of these nerves in order to increase the user's pain threshold.

Then we have the muscular electrostimulation or EMS, which uses currents that act directly on the deltoids, trapezius and rotator cuff muscles to achieve a contraction of the same. In this way, the aim is to strengthen the muscle fibers and improve their oxygenation, thus reducing the probability of injury as much as possible.

The differences between the two are clear. Firstly, the experience of use is different; while TENS manifests itself as a slight tingling on the skin, EMS is more aggressive, generating a direct muscular contraction. Secondly, there is its area of action, being TENS a therapy that acts at a nervous level while EMS focuses on muscle stimulation.

This makes TENS the most recommended therapy for pain relief, as it will alter the functions of the brachial nerves and the axillary nerve to achieve pain relief in the shoulder joint. EMS, on the other hand, is contraindicated for the treatment of pain since the contractions generated by this current can be counterproductive in an injured muscle, generating even more pain.

Contraindications in the use of electrodes and electrotherapy