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

The hands are indispensable extremities for the performance of most daily tasks, regardless of their type. For both office workers and top athletes, the hands and wrists are subjected to an almost constant amount of stress, in the form of physical activities of varying intensity performed in usually inadequate positions.

One of the most common effects of this stress is carpal tunnel syndrome, an ailment that can cause painful and debilitating effects on the hand and arm, necessitating the application of therapies to alleviate the ailments. This is where TENS and EMS electrotherapy modalities come in. In the following paragraphs, we will teach you everything you need to know about carpal tunnel syndrome and how you can address the symptoms of this disorder through TENS and EMS therapies.

How to use TENS machines to relieve wrist pain?

The main function of TENS units is to numb the nociceptors on the nerves in the affected area in order to mitigate the sensation of pain in the patient. For cases such as carpal tunnel syndrome, in which the area of application is considerably reduced, it is necessary to take into account several factors in order to apply a TENS session effectively.

Where to place the electrodes?

Due to the small surface area available for electrodes in the hand and wrist areas, it is necessary to position the pads in specific areas to obtain the fullest possible effect.

Therefore, the ideal positions are as follows:

• Palm of the hand, at the junction of the hypothenar eminence and the tenar eminence, where the branching of the median nerve begins.
• Dorsal area of the forearm, above the wrist joint.

Which current to use?

The hand and wrist are among the most sensitive areas of the body, with a fairly abundant innervation, so electrical impulses should be applied at low frequencies so as not to negatively stimulate the nerves.

For carpal tunnel syndrome, the ideal frequency is between 30 and 50 Hz, high enough to promote relaxation of the fibrous tissue of the wrist and endorphin production, without overstimulating the nerves.

Best TENS units to treat carpal tunnel syndrome

The effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation therapy is proven for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, so we can find a large number of devices that we can use to apply this therapy. Among the most effective, we can highlight the following:

How to use EMS to strengthen muscles and avoid carpal tunnel syndrome?

The use of EMS devices is contraindicated for most ailments focused on the hand and wrist. However, it is possible to take advantage of its effects for the prevention of most of these.

Where to place the electrodes?

Mobility of the forearm is made possible by a large number of muscles of various sizes and functions, but wrist mobility is attributed to three muscles in particular, on which the electrodes should be positioned. These are:

• Muscular belly of the brachioradialis muscle.
• Palmaris major muscle, on the dorsal portion of the hand.
• Deep flexor muscle of the fingers, positioning the electrode on the anterior aspect of the forearm.

What intensity to use?

Training the muscle tissue of the forearm is a very important factor in the prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome, because it helps to reduce the stress applied to the wrist, thus minimizing the likelihood of excessive pressure on the median nerve.

To obtain optimal results from this training, the ideal intensity varies between 65 and 85 Hz, which are sufficient to generate contractions that contribute to the strengthening of the brachioradialis and palmaris major muscles, improving grip strength and reducing the likelihood of developing wrist pain.

Best EMS machines to avoid hand and wrist injuries

Ailments caused by carpal tunnel syndrome can be largely avoided through strengthening the muscles, applying as little tension as possible on the wrist in order to prevent inflammation. To do this, you can make use of the following EMS devices:

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 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 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.

The dual channel electrostimulator brought to the public by QUIWILL has revolutionized physiotherapy with electrostimulation thanks to its dual channel function, through which you can apply the TENS electrical impulses on different areas of the body simultaneously, through the 2 pairs of electrodes. All you need are daily sessions of between 15 and 20 minutes to obtain all the benefits of this complete electrostimulator.

It features 16 different massage modes with variable intensity in 16 levels, which can be adjusted individually in each of the channels to treat different ailments in different areas of the body. Its electrodes pads have a specialized design that maximizes conductivity and can be reused multiple times. The device is compact, portable and can be used very easily.

This is one of the most versatile electrostimulation devices you will find. The electrostimulation machine is fully rechargeable and has a dual channel function that allows you to apply electrostimulation to various areas of the body. It contains 30 preset massage programs through which you can relieve different types of ailments as well as strengthen muscles.

This electrostimulation unit is completely digital for an effective and reliable treatment. It has an LCD display and a user-friendly system that allows you to set the functions in seconds. In addition, the purchase includes 16 reusable electrodes of high quality and for all budgets.

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 muscle stimulator sends an electric current through wires to electrodes on the skin and helps relieve body pain; improves sports injuries, arthritis and sciatica; stimulates muscles, improves blood circulation, relieves fatigue, improves immunity and sleep quality. 10 intensity levels allow precise adjustment of pulse amplitude and frequency, allowing optimal and sensitive control for pain relief; a pre-programmed timer can set a preset duration from 5 to 90 minutes.

The therapeutic device can be used by two users at the same time or by one user to relieve two locations. Treatment intensity is guaranteed at all times. It has 5 treatment modes (massage, acupuncture, tapping, scraping and cupping) to choose from to relieve headache, leg pain, shoulder pain, joint pain, stomach pain, hip pain and leg pain. Automatic treatment interruption, alarm if the electrode falls off.

Video: How to place electrodes pads on hands and wrists?

Electrodes for hands & arms

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What is carpal tunnel syndrome and what are the causes?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an ailment caused by excessive pressure on the median nerve. This nerve is a crucial part of both the innervation and motor function of the hand and wrist, and its condition can cause a variety of symptoms among which we can highlight:

• Numbness
• Stiffness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Muscle damage

This syndrome can occur for a variety of both genetic and environmental causes. Among its main causes we can highlight:

• Repetitive hand and wrist movements
• Constant use of vibrating hand tools
• Alcoholism
• Fractures
• Infections
• Obesity
• Abnormal calcium or protein deposits

What are the most common types of wrist pain?

The wrists are very resistant joints that can withstand quite considerable loads. However, prolonged and excessive strain can lead to a wide variety of wrist ailments and diseases.

The most common are the following:

• Ganglion cysts: are noncancerous nodules that can limit wrist mobility and cause considerable pain.
• Gout: is a form of arthritis caused by uric acid buildup in the joints.
• Fractures: are caused by trauma to any of the bones of the wrist, which break, causing a lot of pain and considerably limiting movement.
• Sprains: is an injury that affects tendons, muscles and ligaments that can cause other disorders.
• Osteoarthritis: one of the most common types of arthritis caused by wear and tear of the bones in the joints.
• Tendonitis: consists of inflammation of the tendons, caused mainly by overuse and performing activities with incorrect technique.

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

Electrotherapy is one of the best options for treating pain caused by disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome. However, it is necessary to make the distinction between the different electrotherapy modalities, as they are not all intended for the same purposes.

In the case of physical therapy, the most commonly used electrotherapy modalities are Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS).

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is a physiotherapeutic technique focused on the treatment of pain resulting from injury, trauma or disease. It is distinguishable by very specific characteristics, among which we can highlight:

• It interacts directly on the nerve branches of the median nerve, in order to mitigate the sensation of pain caused by pressure on it.
• It uses low frequency and intensity electric currents, which vary between 1 and 250 Hz.
• It is intended as a method to alleviate the symptoms of injuries and painful disorders, it is not a method to cure the origin of these symptoms.
• It is a widespread and versatile technique in the field of physiotherapy.

In contrast, EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) is defined less as a therapy and more as a low-impact fitness method, which is easily distinguished from TENS therapy by the following properties:

• It applies electric shocks of higher intensity than TENS, between 70 and 150 Hz.
• It interacts with the muscle tissue by means of contractions of different intensity.
• It can indirectly affect the nerves due to the intensity of the contractions.
• It is a widely used method to develop the musculature with minimal impact on the joints.

The optimal treatment for wrist pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), thanks to its numbing effect on the radial nerve and sensory branches of the median nerve, coupled with its ability to relax the fibrous tissue of the wrist, i.e., cartilage and ligament.

On the other hand, EMS therapy has a very limited effect on the wrist area because this modality interacts with muscle tissue, which is very scarce in this joint. In addition, the minimum frequencies of EMS devices are too high for the amount of fibrous tissue in the wrist, so their use can overstimulate this tissue and cause considerable pain in the joint.

Contraindications in the use of electrodes and electrotherapy