How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for arthritis & arthrosis? Placement of electrode pads (UK)

Maintaining healthy and functional joints is a key aspect for a good quality of life. However, regardless of the measures taken, there is a probability of suffering from diseases that directly affect the joints. Among the most common diseases of this type is arthritis, which can cause intense joint pain.

Those who suffer from arthritis must find, in addition to the treatment of the disease, methods to reduce the pain it can cause. This is where TENS and EMS electrotherapy come in, as methods to relieve pain and decrease the chances of preventing arthritis. In the following article, we will teach you everything you need to know about arthritis and how to use electrotherapy to alleviate its symptoms.

How to use TENS machines to relieve arthritis or osteoarthritis pain?

The use of TENS units is widespread in physiotherapeutic treatment, thanks to their ability to numb the nerves and reduce the sensation of pain in patients. However, it is necessary to have the proper knowledge about the operation of the devices and the location of the ailment, in order to be able to apply an effective TENS therapy.

Where to place the electrodes?

Electrode positioning is an issue that requires some knowledge of the body's nerve anatomy to find the ideal location. However, in cases such as rheumatoid arthritis, which is the most common type, the positioning of the pads must be adapted to this generalized ailment.

To effectively treat pain, the electrodes pads should be positioned parallel to the joint, i.e. one above and one below. Since the level of pain is not equal from joint to joint, one of the best options is to focus on the most affected areas and progressively move to the less painful joints.

It is also important to note that areas such as the knee or hip can be treated by placing the electrodes on the lower back, so that the electrical impulses interact with the sciatic nerve, which is largely responsible for the innervation of the entire extension of the leg.

Which current to use?

The use of TENS treatment for arthritis pain focuses on the interaction of its electrical impulses with the endings of the nerve branches that innervate the joints.

For this purpose, the indicated current is 100 Hz, since it promotes the release of endorphins, while numbing the pain receptors in the affected joints, promoting relief in the patient that can last between 30 and 60 minutes after the session.

Best TENS units to treat joint inflammation pain

The use of TENS devices has long been given to treat joint ailments caused by different types of arthritis. For this purpose we can find a great variety of devices with different programming and oriented to different types of treatment. Among these, we can highlight the following machines:

The E3 model from OMRON is a TENS electrostimulator of compact size and great power, designed to be portable and used to relieve pain caused by exhaustion, injuries or diseases such as sciatica or neuropathy. This device uses TENS stimulation technology, proven and widely used by physiotherapists for its ability to relieve any type of pain.

It has a wide variety of pre-programmed modes of use designed to treat a wide range of ailments. Its compact size makes it incredibly convenient to carry wherever you want, and its specialized long-lasting electrodes can be washed and reused up to 150 times. The purchased package contains 1 OMRON E3 electrostimulator, 1 electrode cable and 1 long-lasting pad.

Dioche has available to the public one of the best TENS machines on the market, which stands out for its ease of use, versatility and portability. You can use it to relieve pain caused by various causes, from neuropathies and arthritis to injuries and muscle contractures.

One of its best features is the presence of a laser line for the nose that will allow you to treat rhinitis symptoms effectively, improving your health conditions considerably. The dual channel function of this rechargeable mini TENS machine allows you to treat multiple parts of the body simultaneously, bringing benefits such as improved circulation, reduced pain and accelerated metabolism.

Omron has a wide range of electrostimulation devices in stock, including Omron HeatTens, which combines the therapeutic effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation with the effective method of heat therapy, resulting in one of the most complete relaxation and pain relief effects available on the market.

Its operation is really simplified, having 6 preset programs that focus on treating different areas of the body, which you can customize by modifying the 3 TENS massage modes, in combination with the 3 heat therapy modes. It is the best choice for joint and muscle ailments and you will get 1 Omrom HeatTens, 2 Omron gel pads, 1 power adapter and an instruction manual.

The TechCare Plus 24 muscle massager is one of the most comfortable and compact models available on the market. It offers the best solution for any type of muscle pain through its electrotherapy massages, which are a combination of TENS and EMS modalities, which apply low intensity currents to greatly reduce the sensation of pain in the treated area.

It includes 24 modes of use that apply different types of massages focused on dealing with particular ailments. Its lithium battery allows continuous use for more than 20 hours, and has a session timer that can be set from 10 to 60 minutes. The purchase includes 1 mini Plus 24 electro stimulator, 1 carrying case, 6 large electrodes, 2 guide cables, 1 user manual and 1 USB charger.

The Med-Fit 3 electrostimulator model from Med-Fit physiotherapy articles is one of the best options for the relief of chronic ailments, making use of mild electrical signals completely safe for the user, which interfere with the electrical signals that produce the sensation of pain and stimulate the production of endorphins, the body's natural analgesic.

One of the best features of the Med-Fit 3 is its dual channel functionality, through which you will have the possibility to treat individually different areas of the body simultaneously, or provide a deeper treatment to a specific area, thanks to its different modes of use focused on the treatment of different types of ailments.

How to use EMS to strengthen muscles and prevent arthritis?

Although EMS machines are not recommended for the treatment of the symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis, it is a very relevant factor in the prevention of the same thanks to the ability to train the muscles adjacent to the joints.

In order to achieve this , it is necessary to know both the functioning of the muscular system of the body and the EMS devices to be used, in order to achieve an effective therapy.

Where to place the electrodes?

The location of the electrodes of the EMS device must take into account the type of training to be performed, so it may vary in relation to the muscle group to be worked and the objectives of the training. The muscle groups that are responsible for mobilizing and stabilizing the joints can receive a direct benefit from these therapies, indirectly favoring the prevention of arthritis.

For the greatest effectiveness of the therapy, each electrode should be positioned on the muscle groups above and below the joint to be worked. In the case of the shoulder, the ideal locations will be over the deltoid muscles, and the trapezius muscle, while in the knees, the electrodes are positioned on the vastus medialis, rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscle.

What intensity to use?

While muscle training does not guarantee the prevention of arthritis, strengthening the muscles of the joints releases a considerable amount of stress from the joints, increasing their performance and reducing wear and tear.

To this end, the optimal current range to apply varies slightly between 60 and 85 Hz, with variations in frequency and discharge time providing variety in training and improving muscle fiber recovery.

Best EMS machines to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis or arthritis

The advantage that EMS machines bring to the prevention of arthritis lies in the strengthening of the muscles that stabilize the joints most vulnerable to rheumatic ailments. Among the devices that contribute most to this prevention, we can highlight the following:

The Compex Fit 5.0 is designed especially for fitness fanatics who train daily. It is provided with 2 very complete stimulation modules, along with the possibility of adding two new modules to increase the effectiveness of the results. Its combination of TENS and EMS modalities will allow you to develop your body's musculature, while helping you to relax and relieve fatigue-related aches and pains.

It uses wireless technology to provide a comfortable massage experience, and makes use of MI technology for faster results, greatly enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment. While it is largely focused on fitness, for which it has 14 programs, it also pays attention to rehabilitation and pain relief, as it also has 10 programs for ailment relief, 4 recovery massage programs, and 2 rehabilitation programs.

PowerDot has launched for its consumers one of the best wireless electrostimulation devices on the market, consisting only of smart electrodes directed through a mobile application that you can find for Android and iOS operating systems, making the PowerDot 2.0 one of the most versatile devices on the market.

It has over 400 customised modes of use divided between EMS and TENS muscle stimulation, functions dedicated to the relief of all types of ailments and physical conditioning. The box includes 2 pre-charged pods, 2 sets of electrodes, 2 connection cables, 2 USB chargers, along with a carrying case ready to charge everything wherever you go.

EOSVAP has a versatile dual-channel electrostimulator with 16 TENS massage modes, through which you can treat a wide range of ailments, regardless of whether they are caused by injury or illness. It is one of the best options to treat the symptoms of arthritis, sciatica, cramps and muscle pain.

Its independent control function allows you to set separate modes of use for channels A and B, so that each applies a different type of massage to each region of the body being treated, adapting to your needs. It is one of the most practical and compact models you can find, so you can take it with you and use it whenever you want.

The physiotherapy brand Beurer offers its users one of the most versatile electrostimulation devices that can be found on the market. This is the Beurer EM49, which contains an incredible 3-in-1 function that allows you to apply therapeutic massage, muscle stimulation and nerve stimulation, providing a completely different level of relief to its users with its more than 70 programs and 50 levels of intensity.

This powerful electro-stimulator offers immediate relief for almost any type of ailment using stimulation methods that stimulate the production of natural analgesic agents within the body. It also works as an effective methods to accelerate muscle growth and regeneration, making it one of the most complete and versatile electrostimulation units on the market.

The TensCare Flexstim multifunction device is one of the most complete and versatile electrostimulators you will find. Brought to you by the TensCare brand, this device combines a variety of electrostimulation technologies designed to treat different types of ailments. TENS, EMS, Micro Currents and IFT technologies allow it to relieve acute and chronic ailments, deep muscle pain and promote the rehabilitation and regeneration of muscle fibers.

It includes 53 massage programs in total, which are designed to treat a wide variety of ailments. Additionally, some of these programs have modifiable parameters that allow you to create the perfect customized programs for your own needs.

Video: How to place electrodes pads for arthritis or osteoarthritis?

Electrodes for shoulder

Electrodes for elbow

Electrodes for wrist

Electrodes for knee

Electrodes for ankle

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What is arthritis and what are the causes?

Arthritis is a degenerative disease that involves inflammation and deterioration of cartilage and other joint structures such as the synovial membrane. This deterioration causes pain and inflammation in the joint, accompanied by reduced mobility, redness and stiffness.

This disease can have a wide variety of risk factors, among which we can highlight:

• Genetics: there are more than 100 types of arthritis, some of which are hereditary, so it is necessary to be aware of the family medical history.
• Age: people over the age of 45 have an exponentially higher risk of joint diseases such as arthritis, osteoarthritis or gout.
• Gender: according to studies, women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, while other types of arthritis, such as gout, are more common in men.
• Previous injuries: joints that have been affected by previous injuries are more likely to develop arthritis over time
• Obesity: excess weight puts excessive pressure on joints, especially the knees, hips and spine are especially strained and can develop arthritis more easily.

What are the differences between arthritis and osteoarthritis?

Both arthritis and osteoarthritis are rheumatic diseases characterized by a progressive degeneration of joint tissue; however, each of these ailments has characteristics that distinguish them from each other.

Arthritis consists of an inflammation process that affects the synovial membrane, causing the synovial fluid to spread throughout the joint, causing friction between bones that leads to their erosion.

On the other hand, osteoarthritis is the constant degeneration of the cartilage, causing it to disappear completely over time, causing a direct friction between bones, causing intense pain and limitation of joint mobility.

Differences between TENS and EMS: Which is better for joint pain?

Degenerative rheumatic diseases are among those that most frequently become chronic, so the use of electrotherapy in this type of disorders is highly recommended.

Having said this, it is necessary to know the difference between TENS and EMS electrotherapy in order to know how to apply the correct form of therapy. Each of these forms of physiotherapy has its own characteristics.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is identified by the following characteristics:

• Applies low frequency electrical currents, ranging from 1 to 250 Hz.
• Interacts directly with nerve endings to reduce pain.
• Blocks pain signals, preventing them from reaching the brain.
• It works as a treatment for symptoms of painful disorders, but not as a cure for them.

On the other hand, Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is a method of therapy and physical training that has the following properties:

• It is a training and physiotherapy technique.
• It does not interact directly with nerves, but with muscle tissue.
• It uses medium-high frequency shocks that create contractions in the muscles, between 70 and 150 Hz.
• It is widely used in high-level sports training.

This information leads us to the conclusion that the best option for the treatment of pain caused by arthritis is TENS therapy, thanks to the fact that its electrical impulses numb the endings of the branches that innervate the joints affected by arthritis, decreasing the sensation of pain and generating a feeling of relief of variable duration.

EMS, on the other hand, is not a recommended option for treating pain caused by arthritis, since it is not a muscular ailment, and will have little or no effect on the affected joints. Moreover, the application of its high intensity electrical impulses may generate adverse results for the purpose of reducing the sensation of pain.

Contraindications to the use of electrodes and electrotherapy