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

The human body has a specialized design that allows it to have a fairly wide mobility, which can be increased with the appropriate exercises. For this purpose, the joints possess a certain cushioning property provided by certain membranes, which are called synovial bursae. However, these membranes can become damaged causing a condition known as bursitis.

This condition can lead to a series of symptoms that can be disabling, requiring a series of treatments to deal with both the disease itself and the ailments it causes. For the latter, one of the best options is electrotherapy in its TENS and EMS modalities, and below, we will show you how to apply these physiotherapy techniques for the relief of bursitis symptoms.

How to use TENS machines to relieve bursitis pain?

TENS electrotherapy is one of the most effective methods for treating the most painful symptoms of bursitis, so learning how to apply it correctly is crucial to be able to run an effective TENS session.

Below, we will teach you the correct positioning for the TENS electrode pads, and how to set up the TENS unit to apply the therapy correctly.

Where to place the electrodes?

The optimal positioning of the pads for bursitis treatment will depend largely on the type of ailment and the area affected. So the ideal locations can be summarized in the following list.

• Shoulder: over the trapezius muscle and the deltoids, to maximize the interaction of the impulses with the circumflex and supraclavicular nerve.
• Elbow: in this area, the electrodes are placed on the medial head of the triceps brachii and the anterior brachialis muscle, allowing a direct effect on the ulnar nerve.
• Hip: on the tensor fascia lata muscle, in position to interact with the obturator and lesser abdominogenital nerves.
• Wrist: the electrodes will be positioned over the anterior brachial muscle and the palmaris minor, exerting their effect on the extension of the median nerve.
• Knee: bursitis ailments can be treated by positioning the electrodes over the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles, to interact with the vastus medialis nerve.

Which current to use?

The level of pain that can be caused by bursitis can be highly variable, so the intensity should be adjusted to the level of pain and the type of ailment present in the joint. This adjustment is mainly due to the difference between acute bursitis and chronic bursitis.

Bursitis responds better to higher frequencies, in the range of 90 and 120 Hz, which leads to a faster release of endorphins and a more aggressive interaction with the nerve endings in the affected regions, thus providing a sense of relief for the patient that makes the treatment of the disorder more tolerant.

On the other hand, chronic bursitis requires a much lower frequency and for longer periods of time. The ideal frequency ranges from 2 to 10 Hz, and is applied for periods long enough to stimulate a more controlled release of endorphins and to ensure that the nerve endings are not overstimulated. This promotes a sense of relief in chronic patients that can last for hours after the session.

Best TENS units to treat bursal inflammation

The effectiveness of TENS electrotherapy for the treatment of ailments associated with bursitis is so high that it is possible to purchase a wide variety of equipment with different configurations that can relieve the painful symptoms of this disorder. Among the most effective TENS units for this purpose, we can highlight the following:

The AUVON electrostimulation unit is one of the best options for the treatment of nerve and muscle ailments, as well as a great addition to fitness. This is because it combines transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation technology with muscle electrostimulation, making it one of the most versatile devices on the market.

It has an independent dual-channel control mode, which allows you to treat different parts of the body with different settings and intensities as required. You can select from 20 preset massage modes, each designed to relieve certain types of pain and produce an overall sense of relief.

The Patterson Medical Premier Plus electrostimulation unit is one of the most complete and functional devices you can find, thanks to its simple design focused on ease of use and its great versatility when applying TENS electrostimulation, it is designed with an analog operation system that makes it considerably easier for anyone to use it.

Its incredible dual channel function allows you to set different modes of use for dual channels A and B, so you can massage separate areas of the body simultaneously. Its compact size makes it incredibly portable, and it includes a belt clip that allows you to use your electro stimulator whenever and wherever you want.

The Med-Fit 3 electrostimulator is a powerful electrostimulation unit that is at the forefront of electrotherapy technology, combining TENS and EMS stimulation technologies with a dual channel function, so you can treat different parts of the body individually, either to treat ailments of any kind or to stimulate muscle development.

Its transcutaneous electrical stimulation function offers an infallible form of acute and chronic pain relief through electrical impulses that block pain signals and promote the production of endorphins, making it ideal for treating the symptoms of arthritis, sciatica, muscle pain, joint pain and much more.

The Med-Fit electrostimulation unit is the best option to increase the efficiency of workouts, thanks to its incredible 4-channel function, through which you can apply different modes of use to different areas of the body. It includes 9 clinically proven training programs and each of them has a predefined duration time of 3 hours.

It uses a combination of TENS and EMS stimulation technologies, which are completely safe and natural methods to alleviate various types of ailments and improve physical condition by stimulating the growth of muscle fibers. It is the best option for long-term management of chronic pain, allowing you to lead a completely normal life and perform all your daily activities.

The Med-Fit TENS unit is presented as the most viable and sophisticated option for the treatment of ailments of any kind, thanks to its innovative dual-channel function that allows you to treat the symptoms of diseases such as sciatica, arthritis, and muscle injuries in different areas of the body simultaneously.

Its electrostimulation method allows you to relieve chronic ailments through the application of mild electrical stimuli that inhibit pain signals and stimulate the production of endorphins. The best results are obtained when using this unit for 60 to 90 minutes. The use of this device is widely recommended because it does not interfere with any medical treatment and is completely safe.

How to use EMS electrostimulators to strengthen muscles and prevent bursitis?

Although the shocks applied by EMS devices are not effective in treating the symptoms of bursitis, their use can be quite helpful in strengthening the muscles of the joints.

To this end, we will show you below the most effective electrode positioning, along with the proper configuration for muscle training.

Where to place the electrodes?

To obtain the best results in the prevention of bursitis, muscle strengthening of the joints is crucial, since it allows to reduce to a certain extent the direct stress on the synovial bursae, preventing their inflammation. For this purpose, the correct locations of the electrodes are as follows.

• Shoulders: the trapezius muscle, the anterior, lateral and posterior deltoids, and the infraspinatus muscle.
• Elbows: in this case, the electrodes are placed on the biceps brachii, the anterior brachialis muscle and the biceps brachii muscle.
• Wrist: the ideal positions are the brachioradialis muscle and the deep flexor.
• Knees: in the case of the knees, the electrodes will be positioned on the vastus medialis, rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscle.
• Hip: tensor fascia lata, gluteus maximus muscle and gluteus medius muscle

What intensity to use?

The best way to achieve a progressive development in the strength of the muscle groups that are responsible for stabilizing the joints is through the application of a medium intensity electric current that activates the muscles without putting stress on the joints themselves.

To achieve this, the ideal frequency ranges between 65 and 85 Hz in periods of between 40 and 70 minutes, with the variables established by the specialist to ensure that the joints receive less stress when they are being used, thus preventing injuries and joint diseases.

Best EMS machines to prevent synovial bursa inflammation

The use of EMS training therapy for muscles can bring a number of indirect benefits for the prevention of disorders such as bursitis, thanks to the reinforcement of muscle support of the joints. For this purpose, we can make use of the following models of EMS devices:

The versatile Compex SP 6.0 electrostimulator is one of the best options for increasing physical performance thanks to its 10 conditioning programs and 5 fitness training programs, allowing you to increase both the strength and volume of your muscles quickly and naturally, through electrical impulses that stimulate the growth of muscle fibers.

It also has 5 recovery massage programs, 8 pain management modes and 2 rehabilitation programs, through which the Compex SP 6.0 facilitates rapid physical recovery and promotes muscle relaxation after exercise. It is the best electric massage unit for athletes who practice their discipline more frequently than 3 times a week.

The physiotherapy brand Beurer offers its users one of the most versatile electrostimulation devices that can be found on the market. It is the Beurer EM59, which contains an incredible 4-in-1 function that allows you to apply therapeutic massage, muscle stimulation, nerve stimulation and heat therapy, providing a completely different level of relief to its users with its more than 70 programs and 50 intensity levels.

This powerful electrostimulation equipment offers immediate relief for almost any type of ailment using stimulation methods that stimulate the production of natural pain relieving agents within the body. It also works as an effective methods to accelerate muscle growth and regeneration, while combining with heat therapy to provide one of the most complete treatments you will find.

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.

A perfect combination of TENS and EMS massager. Massages a wide area of the body with a dual output design that sends electrical impulses through electrode pads placed on the skin. To relieve pain in back, knees, shoulders, ankles, neck, wrists and elbows, relieve fatigue and stimulate muscles, improve blood circulation, strengthen the immune system and improve sleep quality.

The 50-level intensity allows you to explore for another unique experience, while the preset timer can be easily adjusted from 5 to 60 minutes. Safe enough to relax at home or in the office. Hydrogel with multi-layer technology, reusable 70 to 110 times when used correctly. Built-in rechargeable lithium battery, 10 hours continuous use after a full charge with USB cable.

Video: How to place electrodes pads for bursitis?

Electrodes for shoulder

Electrodes for elbow

Electrodes for wrist

Electrodes for knee

Electrodes for ankle

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What is bursitis and what are the causes?

It is a particularly painful disorder that consists of inflammation of the synovial bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning to the joints at the bone and muscle level. It is a very common ailment in areas such as the shoulder, elbow and hip, although the knee is also particularly vulnerable, as is the base of the big toe.

There is a considerable list of causes for bursitis, among which we can highlight the following:

• Previous diseases such as arthritis or gout.
• Repetitive movements that put stress on the joint.
• Excessive pressure on the joints for long periods of time.
• Injuries and trauma to the joint.
• Different types of infections can affect the joints and lead to cases of bursitis.

In addition to the direct causes, there are certain risk factors that play an important role in the likelihood of developing bursitis. Among these, we can highlight the following:

• Age: people over 45 years old have a higher risk of suffering bursitis.
• Works or hobbies: especially those that require repetitive and demanding movements in elbows and knees.
• Medical history: since certain disorders such as diabetes may increase the risk of developing bursitis.

What are the most common types of bursitis?

There are two main ways in which bursitis can be classified. The first is governed by the length of time the condition lasts, while the second is based on its location.

In the first classification we can find:

• Acute bursitis, where pain and inflammation manifest suddenly and abruptly. This classification lasts for a maximum period of three weeks.
• Chronic bursitis, in which the pain has persisted for a period of more than three weeks.

The second classification, for its part, is organized as follows:

• Shoulder
• Hip
• Knee
• Elbow
• Wrist

Differences between TENS and EMS: Which is better for treating bursitis?

One of the most prominent symptoms of bursitis is the pain it can cause in the patient's joints. This is one of the first problems that must be addressed when dealing with this disease. For this, one of the best options is electrotherapy, however, it is necessary to take into account the distinctions between TENS and EMS therapy in order to be able to obtain the desired effects.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, or TENS for its initials in English, is a physiotherapy technique focused on the relief of ailments, which can be identified by the following characteristics:

• Interacts directly with the nerve endings of the affected area.
• It applies low intensity electrical currents, in the range of 1 to 250 Hz.
• It is a therapy for the treatment of symptoms, so it does not replace the treatment for the disorder that causes the symptoms.
• Its usefulness for the treatment of bursitis lies in its ability to numb the nerves that cause the sensation of pain in the joint.

EMS, or Electro Muscle Stimulation, is a physical training method aimed at improving muscle condition, distinguishable by the following properties:

• It applies electrical impulses with varying intensity between 70 and 150 Hz.
• It focuses on physical conditioning through muscle contractions.
• It is a widely applied method for muscular rehabilitation in highly competitive sports.
• It is not a treatment for painful injuries.

With this said, the best option for the relief of pain caused by bursitis in any of its forms is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Thanks to its direct effect on the nociceptors in the nerve branches of the different joints, which blocks the pain impulses preventing them from reaching the brain, thus numbing the sensation for the patient, generating relief of variable duration.

On the other hand, EMS is not a recommended therapy for the treatment of bursitis, because its electrical discharges are designed to interact with muscle tissue. This effect is foreign to the internal structure of the joints, so muscle contractions will not have a favorable effect in relieving pain caused by bursitis.

Contraindications to the use of electrodes and electrotherapy