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

The elbow is one of the most important joints for specialized athletes of any discipline, so they receive a lot of wear and tear when performing impact sports, and exercises performed with an incorrect technique.

For this reason, injuries and pain in this joint are extremely common. Fortunately, TENS and EMS electrostimulation therapies have considerable ability to help with these problems, which is why, in this article, we will teach you how to use TENS and EMS therapies to relieve any elbow ailments.

How to use a TENS machine to relieve elbow pain?

Since TENS units are specifically designed to treat the symptoms of chronic and acute injuries, it is an excellent option to perform therapies for joint pain affecting the elbow.

Among the main benefits of this therapy we can mention the following:

• Increases pain resistance: the discharges emitted by TENS machines directly affect the pain receptors located in the elbow, specifically in the median, ulnar and radial nerves, increasing resistance during the session and several minutes later.
• Increases blood circulation: the heat generated by the electric currents applied to the elbow generates dilation of the blood vessels surrounding the joint, generating a local analgesic effect and a sensation of relief that is maintained until several minutes after the TENS session is over.
• Avoids reciprocal innervation: TENS therapy generates a simultaneous relaxation in the ulnar collateral ligament, radial collateral ligament, annular ligament and the square ligament, reducing the sensation of pain.
• Limits the nerve endings that produce pain: by means of this therapy, the groups of nerve endings responsible for the sensation of pain in the elbow are suppressed, generating immediate relief in the patient.

In consequence of all these effects, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is an ideal treatment to relieve pain from a variety of elbow injuries, such as:

• Arthritis
• Dislocation
• Sprain
• Strain

However, it is necessary to emphasize the fact that TENS therapy is designed to relieve pain caused by injuries, not to cure them. This means that TENS electrotherapy will not serve as a means of healing for injuries, but rather to reduce symptoms and make recovery more pleasant.

Best TENS machines for elbow injury recovery

The popularity of this treatment and its effectiveness in reducing pain caused by injuries and disorders has led to the creation of a wide variety of TENS unit models. Here is a list of the best machines you can use to treat elbow pain:

From EOSVAP comes this wonderful wireless electrostimulation device, effective for back pain, sciatica, arthritis and muscular ailments although its range of function is so wide that it can be used almost anywhere on the body portability and rechargeable battery make it an excellent investment when it comes to pain relief.

It has 7 intensity levels and 5 massage modes for instant pain relief in a natural and completely drug-free way. Its rechargeable lithium battery provides 24 hours of continuous use on a single charge, and can be charged via its USB connectors. Undoubtedly a complete revolution in the massage experience that you can keep in your pocket and take anywhere thanks to its small size.

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.

The Moonssy electro-stimulator is one of the most versatile and widely used machines in the field of physiotherapy thanks to its innovative combination of TENS and EMS technologies, which give this electrotherapy unit a wide range of functions, from natural relief of ailments to stimulation of muscle growth.

It has 16 programmed modes and 20 intensity levels, ranging from acupuncture and shiatsu to vibration and tuina, among many other modalities designed to treat different types of pain, relieve stress and increase the production of endorphins to relieve pain in a completely natural way.

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.

How to use an EMS muscle electrostimulator for the elbow?

Unlike TENS, muscle electrostimulation is a training therapy, in which currents of between 70 Hz and 150 Hz are used to cause muscle contractions that stimulate their strength and elasticity, which is why it should only be used on areas composed of muscle.

In terms of its usefulness for elbow ailments, EMS is not an optimal therapy, since this is a joint that contains virtually no muscle. For this reason, a therapy that produces contractions may be counterproductive if the joint is undergoing rehabilitation for injury.

However, its usefulness can focus on strengthening the muscle groups responsible for the stability and mobility of the elbow, such as the coracobrachialis and anterior brachialis muscles, as well as the triceps brachii.

In this way, benefits such as the following can be realized:

• Increased muscle strength: The contractions caused in the muscles when using the shocks cause an increase in strength in the brachial muscles.
• Reduction of stress on the elbows: the increase in muscle strength allows a uniform distribution of weight along the arm, reducing the impact received by the elbow joint.
• Increased hypertrophy: the reduction of the recovery time of the muscle fibers in the triceps brachii generates an increase in muscle mass, reducing the tension produced when performing explosive movements involving the elbow, such as the bench press.
• Reduction of muscle tissue loss: sedentary lifestyles and chronic injuries, in addition to age, are very relevant factors that influence the loss of muscle tissue. The muscle contractions generated by EMS devices cause an activation of the muscle fibers which reduces the loss of mass.
• Increased blood supply: the vasodilation caused by the electrical impulses increases the capacity of the muscle to receive blood, which in turn generates an analgesic effect and reduces the recovery time of muscle fibers.

Best EMS electrostimulators for strengthening elbow muscles

While muscle electrostimulation is a contraindicated method for the treatment of elbow pain, you can take advantage of its benefits for the muscles surrounding the joint, which are the biceps brachii, the coracobrachialis muscle and the triceps brachii. The best devices you can use for this are the following:

The Compex Sport 4.0 is the ideal companion for competitive athletes, thanks to its application of EMS technology to increase physical performance in a natural way, while facilitating recovery. It also has the innovative MI technology, through which you can perform a scan of the muscle and know what frequency is appropriate for the treatment you want, greatly increasing the effectiveness of treatment.

The Compex Sport 4.0 has 10 conditioning programs, 5 recovery massage programs, 8 pain management programs, 2 rehabilitation programs and 5 fitness programs. All these features make it the perfect electrostimulator for athletes who practice their sport 3 to 4 times a week, for injury prevention and fast recovery from injuries.

Twenty intensity levels can be selected independently for each output to meet different massage needs, whether for leisure or sport. Two independent channels control the electrode pairs, so that two channels of the electric massager can be used simultaneously on different parts of the body. Includes high quality adhesive electrodes (replacement electrodes sold separately)

This combination device is ideal for pain relief and can also be used as a massager to relieve persistent tension. It is a non-pharmacological alternative to relieve pain and tension for people suffering from muscular, chronic, nerve and even some acute pain. For those who wish to tone and firm their muscles, the EMS mode of the device stimulates the muscles and improves their performance. For sedentary people, the device promotes local blood circulation.

The TechCare mini massager is one of the best and most practical tools to deal with acute and chronic ailments safely and without the use of medication. It is a device that combines TENS and EMS massage functions, applying low voltage electrical impulses to effectively block pain signals, as well as increase the natural production of endorphins, a natural painkiller.

It features 10 pre-programmed massage modes and 20 intensity levels that target different types of ailments and injuries. It has a session timer function that allows you to adjust the duration of the sessions and has a lithium battery that allows you to apply therapy for more than 20 consecutive hours.

The Smart Dot 2.0 is one of the best in a line of smart electro stimulators that automatically connect to your mobile phone and are controlled by an app. Its small size makes it completely portable, so you can use it to treat muscle recovery and ailment relief at any time, reducing recovery time and increasing your performance.

It has more than 10 preset programmes designed for muscle stimulation, improved recovery and pain relief, thanks to its revolutionary Smart TENS stimulation technology. The package includes a pre-loaded device, 2 sets of pads, 1 set of cables, 1 USB charger and a portable case.

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 on the elbow joint?

Electrodes for elbow

• For golfer's elbow: To begin with, the area of pain should be located in the middle of both pads, so if the pain is focused on the inside of the elbow, be sure to position the first electrode on the vastus medialis of the triceps brachii, and the second on the pronator teres muscle.
• For tennis elbow: In case the session is about tennis elbow, you should position one electrode on the head of the biceps brachii, while the second one should be on the upper part of the brachioradialis muscle, just on the border with the pronator teres.

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Most common types of elbow injuries

The elbow is among the most used joints in the body, as it is vitally important for arm mobility. These joints take a tremendous amount of impact in sports such as weightlifting and everyday activities, which can impact their function.

The most common injuries to the elbows are as follows:

• Lateral epicondylitis: is an elbow injury caused by wear and tear and overuse. It consists of an inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm with the outer part of the elbow, producing pain and sensitivity in this area.
• Medial epicondylitis: is an inflammation of the flexor pronator tendons that originates in the elbow, producing pain in the medial epicondyle when flexing or pronating the wrist.
• Olecranial bursitis: is an ailment that occurs in the back of the elbow due to inflammation in the region of the olecranon, where the triceps tendons are inserted. This injury causes swelling, pain when moving the elbow, inflammation of lymph nodes among other symptoms, and can be caused by infections, sudden blows and even sprains.
• Elbow fracture: an elbow fracture consists of the breakage of one or more of the three bones that make up the joint. Its most frequent causes are falls or direct impacts to the joint or twisting. The clearest symptoms to identify an elbow fracture are pain, swelling, stiffness and bruising.
• Elbow sprain: this injury occurs when, due to a fall or strong impact on the forearm, the joint is forced to perform a movement for which it is not naturally designed, which generates an exaggerated extension of the ligaments that compose it, causing them to tear partially or completely.

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

To understand how electrostimulation therapies can affect or benefit the treatment of elbow pain, it is necessary to clarify the differences between the two treatments to define their range of effect on elbow pain.

Firstly, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, abbreviated as TENS, is a treatment that seeks to reduce the nerve impulses that cause pain in the elbow joint, through the use of various types of currents of varying intensity, ranging from 1 to 250 Hz, which aim to increase the pain threshold. This is achieved by acting on the ulnar, radial and median nerves that pass through the joint and the entire upper extremity.

On the other hand, muscle electrostimulation or EMS is a stimulation technique used to generate contractions in the muscles that give stability to the elbow, such as the brachioradialis and carpal flexor, by means of a high intensity current, designed to mimic the nerve impulses that contract or relax a muscle. This therapy is used for aesthetic purposes, to increase and tone muscle mass, or to improve muscle performance

Knowing this, it can be affirmed that the most adequate therapy for the treatment of elbow pain is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, because by means of this therapy you can intercept the pain transmitters of the radial, median and ulnar nerves that flow through the joint. In addition to this, the amount of muscle in the elbow is very small, since it is formed by bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluids, so the use of this therapy is more efficient than EMS.

On the other hand, muscle electrostimulation therapy, or EMS, is contraindicated for the treatment of pain and during tendon injuries , since its main focus is on muscle training and rehabilitation after recovery from the injury, so its effectiveness is limited to areas with abundant muscle tissue. In addition to this, the muscle contractions generated by EMS shocks can be counterproductive for injuries that cause joint pain.

Contraindications to the use of electrodes and electrotherapy