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

Although all joints are of great importance for body mobility, the knee is one of the most important for daily tasks as well as for performance in highly competitive sports. It supports most of the body's weight in a static position and is subject to a great deal of stress most of the time.

For this reason, it is very common for this joint to suffer injuries of different types and levels of severity, which can cause pain. Therefore, in the following paragraphs, we will teach you how to use TENS and EMS electrical stimulation machines for the treatment of knee pain and injuries.

How to use a TENS machine to relieve knee pain?

The electrical discharges produced by TENS units (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) are designed to interact with the nerve endings responsible for the sensation of pain, thus mitigating and generating an analgesic effect in the patient.

This treatment also has a wide variety of benefits, among which we can highlight the following:

• Increase of the pain threshold: the electrical discharges produced by the TENS machines directly affect the nerve endings located in the branches of the vastus and saphenous nerves, through which it connects with the femoral nerve, mitigating the sensation of pain.
• Numbness of the nociceptors: by means of this technique, the groups of nerve endings located around the knee joint are immediately numbed, generating a sensation of instant relief in the patient.
• Improved blood supply: the heat generated by the discharges produced by the EMS machine results in a dilation of the blood vessels surrounding the joint, which produces an analgesic effect in the area that can last for several minutes after the session is over.
• Stimulation of reciprocal innervation: by means of this therapy, a simultaneous relaxation of the internal and external lateral ligaments is produced, generating a considerable relief in the patient.

All these advantages make TENS therapy the ideal option to alleviate ailments caused by injuries or disorders affecting the knee joint, which can range from dislocations to arthritis.

However, despite the versatility of the treatment, it is important to note that TENS is a therapy for treating the symptoms of injuries. That is to say, by means of it you will be able to treat the pain of an injury, but it will never be responsible for its healing. Recovery should be carried out by means approved by a specialist.

Best TENS machines for knee injury recovery

For the treatment of pain in different areas of the body, it is possible to find a large number of TENS units with different configurations, number and size of electrodes, designed to suit the region of the body to be treated, or the ailment in question. Here is a list of some of the best TENS machines for the treatment of knee joint pain:

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.

ROOTOK is a two-channel TENS unit, perfect for relieving and massaging all types of chronic pain: ideal for back pain, sciatica, knees and any other joint pain. The 16 pre-programmed massage modes and 20 intensity levels allow you to precisely adjust the amplitude and frequency of the impulses.

The backlit LCD digital display makes the screen clear and easy to read. Supplied with 8 high quality TENS electrode pads. Recharges via computer (USB cable included). Comes with detailed instructions and a TENS user manual containing guidelines for applying the electrodes to the TENS unit. Lightweight and robust.

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.

How to use an EMS muscle electro stimulator for knees?

Knees are mostly made up of bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage, so the effectiveness of EMS therapy on this will be very limited, as it is aimed at conditioning muscle tissue, plus the contractions can interfere with knee recovery in the case of certain injuries.

However, it is possible to take advantage of the benefits of EMS devices on the muscles adjacent to the knee, such as the hamstrings and gastrocnemius muscles.

Through this method, a wide variety of benefits can be realized, as described below:

• Increased joint stability: the electrical impulses generate contractions that increase the strength and resistance of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, soleus and tibialis anterior muscles responsible for stabilizing knee movement.
• Decreased risk of injury: as a result of the strengthening of the muscles, the resistance and elasticity of the knee increases, reducing the possibility of injury due to the increased stability provided by the muscles.
• Increased mobility: the strengthening and increased elasticity of the semimembranosus, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscles provide an increase in the range of motion of the joint.
• Shorter recovery time: EMS therapy is intended for muscle stimulation, which promotes the speed of recovery of muscle fibers, reducing recovery time from injuries such as tears or strains.

Best EMS electrostimulators for strengthening knee muscles and tendons

The use of muscle electrostimulation devices for knee mobility is one of the best ways for injury prevention and joint strengthening. For this, you need to use the right EMS machines, some of which are listed below:

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.

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.

TensCare has a wide range of products related to physiotherapy, including its TensCare Sports electro-stimulator, an electrotherapy unit that combines the best of TENS and EMS technologies, perfect for the relief of all types of ailments and the strengthening, rehabilitation and toning of muscles from the comfort of your own home.

It contains 28 preset programs and 8 manual programs that you can configure to suit your needs. This feature gives you fantastic coverage for natural pain relief of all kinds, and it has a powerful memory function that saves the last massage program that was used, so you can access it immediately.

Med-Fit is a powerful brand of electro-stimulation devices focused on fitness, which uses the latest in EMS technology to stimulate the production of muscle fibers to tone and strengthen different muscle groups. Its simple design and friendly and straightforward interface will allow you to apply and program it very easily, and its 12 preset modes will allow you a wide range of muscle stimulation.

The delivery includes a total of 16 high quality gel pads that guarantee a perfect adherence to the skin, and it works well for the conditioning of large muscle groups. It is FDA certified and meets all required medical specifications, making it a completely safe device.

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.

Video: How to place electrodes pads on the knee?

Electrodes for knee

• For sprained knee: A sprained knee can cause damage or pressure on the tibial nerve, in which case, the first electrode should be positioned on the tibial nerve, while the second electrode will be placed on the anterior branch of the obturator nerve, which covers the inner lateral aspect of the knee.
• For osteoarthritis of the knee: For osteoarthritis, the most appropriate areas to position the electrodes vary depending on the area where the pain is centered. If the pain is located in the area over the patella, the electrodes should be positioned on the medial vastus nerve and the lateral femorocutaneous nerve.
• For cruciate ligaments: When the cruciate ligaments are torn, there will be severe pain on the lateral sides of the knee accompanied by swelling.

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Most common types of knee injuries

The knee joint is constantly under a great deal of stress, as it continually supports the weight of the body, as well as bearing the brunt of the lifting when lifting heavy objects.

As a result, the knee is a joint that is very vulnerable to a large number of injuries, among which we can highlight:

• Anterior cruciate ligament injury: this injury consists of a tear, rupture or sprain of this ligament, which is part of the tissue that joins the femur to the tibia. It is a very common injury in athletes that is produced by trauma or the impact produced by abrupt changes of direction. Its main symptoms are severe pain, swelling, loss of mobility and a snapping sensation in the knee.
• Meniscus tear: this is the tearing of the cartilage that gives stability to the knee, which is caused by sudden turns or excessive weight lifting, activities generally related to sports. A meniscus tear causes symptoms such as pain, swelling, limited range of motion and instability.
• Fractures: occur when a bone in or near the knee is broken. It can occur in the patella, or the tibia and femur in the areas where they meet the knee. The main cause of this injury is trauma caused by falls or accidents and can cause extreme pain, swelling, inability to move the knee and walking.
• Patellar tendonitis: it is a very common ailment among athletes, which consists of an injury in the patellar tendon, caused by tension or excessive load exerted on the knee, and very common among athletes whose disciplines involve jumping. It is usually accompanied mainly by pain of variable intensity in the joint.
• Knee bursitis: it consists of the inflammation of the bursa, a small sac filled with liquid that cushions the friction points of the knee and reduces the friction in the joint. There are several bursae that can become inflamed and the symptoms depend on which one it is, although in general, the affected part can produce pain when moving, swelling or tenderness, in addition to a sensation of warmth. It occurs as a consequence of frequent pressure on the knee, trauma or overload.

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

The treatment of the knee by means of electrical stimulation therapies is very effective, however, it is necessary to keep in mind that, although both therapies work with electrical stimuli, they have crucial differences.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy is a type of physical therapy aimed at treating pain caused by injury, disease and trauma. To treat knee pain, electrical currents with an intensity of between 1 Hz and 250 Hz are used, which interact with the nerve endings of the pain receptors located in the vastus medialis, tibial nerve and saphenous nerve, generating a sensation of relief in the joint.

Muscle electrostimulation, or EMS, is a physical therapy method for the recovery of muscle mass after a period of inactivity or an alternative training method to increase the size and elasticity of the muscles. These machine use electrical currents of between 70 and 150 Hz which, when applied to the muscles surrounding the knee, generate a rapid cycle of muscle contraction and relaxation, leading to improved stability and a reduction in the likelihood of future injury.

With this in mind, it is clear that the ideal method for dealing with knee pain is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS, since it is focused on treating pain through interaction with nociceptors located in the nerve branches of the knee joint, increasing pain resistance, mitigating pain sensation and providing relief of varying duration to the patient.

In contrast, EMS therapy is not a viable option for the treatment of knee pain, specifically due to the fact that its primary function is not pain treatment, but physical conditioning, so its use on the knee joint would be of little use at best, due to the lack of muscle tissue in this area. In the worst case, the contractions provoked by EMS devices can produce complications and increase the sensation of pain.

Contraindications to the use of electrodes and electrotherapy