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

The lower back, that anatomical marvel that allows you to stabilize the body for firm, elegant and harmonious movements. Who would have thought in childhood that it could cause so many problems over the years? Because although it is a blessing, over the years it can become a real torment.

Luckily, electrotherapy appeared, and with it came TENS and EMS, two modalities that will help you alleviate all those ailments to which the lower back is exposed, and also to avoid them as much as possible. And today you are going to know them in detail so that you can learn how to take advantage of all the benefits they have for you.

How to use a TENS machine to relieve waist pain?

TENS electrotherapy is undoubtedly the best alternative to relieve low back pain without relying on drugs that can generate dependence or side effects. Several studies have proven its positive effects on the nerve endings of the sciatic nerve, spinal or femoral nerve to contain pain.

Among the most outstanding benefits we can mention:

• Increases the pain threshold: the sciatic and spinal nerves communicate with electrical discharges, and TENS therapy intercepts these signals to alter the nerve functions that communicate to the brain the noxious impulse that subsequently causes pain, causing the pain threshold to rise considerably.
• It affects the production of pain neurotransmitters: such as endogenous opioids or serotonin, which considerably delays the nerve communication from the lumbar area that subsequently reaches the brain so that you can feel pain, which translates into localized relief during and after electrotherapy sessions.
• Increases blood flow: by dilating the blood vessels as a result of the heat emanated by the TENS currents. This in turn activates a natural analgesic mechanism that increases the effectiveness of the therapy to provide longer lasting relief.
• Stimulates the production of endorphins: which is our body's natural analgesic hormone. This in turn will increase the feeling of relief, and enhance the effects of the therapy as it also reduces the production of serotonin and other pain neurotransmitters.

These benefits make transcutaneous nerve electrostimulation therapy tremendously effective in relieving pain caused by ailments such as:

• Sciatica.
• Low back pain.
• Nerve impingement.
• Muscle strains.
• Tendinitis.

However, while TENS is a good ally to treat lower back pain, you should keep in mind that this method will only relieve such pain as a symptom, which means that it is not a valid treatment to cure your injury. Therefore, TENS should only be used to make the recovery process more pleasant, without neglecting the medical treatment that your specialist has recommended.

Best TENS machines for the recovery of lumbar injuries

Below, you will learn about the best TENS machines you can purchase to take advantage of all the benefits it will bring you in the recovery of your lumbar injuries.

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 Hollywog WiTouch Pro is a muscle stimulator that helps relieve pain caused by injuries naturally and without the use of drugs with potential side effects. Its TENS electrostimulation technology stimulates the production of endorphins and provides a pleasant feeling of relief for all types of ailments caused by injury or illness.

With a size of 19 cm wide and 9 cm high, the WiTouch has the widest area of action on the market, with a current output strength of 0 - 110 mA for maximum effectiveness. It has a 2-button function that allows you to quickly change the device settings, and includes 3 reusable gel pads in the package you receive.

Omega has available this fantastic and compact electro stimulator, called Omega Wireless Remote for its wireless function. Each of the electrodes is operated by means of a remote control, through which you can adjust and switch between the 6 available massage modes, making it one of the most practical and easy to use models on the market.

Its low intensity electric impulses offer a complete recovery of muscular and nervous pains, and its reusable electrodes have a superior quality adhesive gel, long lasting and easy to apply, so that each session can be carried out in a very simple way.

The Health Mate Forever brand has one of the most advanced electro stimulator models available on the market, with 4-channel function and 15 modes of use that you can apply to various parts of the body simultaneously. Maximizing the efficiency of your workouts. Its simple and easy to understand design allows anyone to use it, and makes it much easier for you to program your sessions.

It also has a session timer that allows you to control the duration of the therapies. You will be able to set the time of each session in an interval between 10 and 80 minutes. The package includes 1 electro stimulator, 4 sets of guide wires, 4 pairs of electrodes, 1 electrode case, 3 AAA batteries, 1 pad positioning guide and 1 user manual.

How to use an EMS muscle electrostimulator for the lower back?

While muscle electrostimulation may seem unnecessary in the lower back, it is tremendously useful because the lumbar muscles are essential for the stability of our every movement. That is why EMS can be a great alternative to strengthen them.

In this way you will take advantage of great benefits of EMS such as the following:

• Strengthens the lumbar muscles: since EMS currents will add hours of muscle work that will result in a considerable strengthening of the fibers that make up the lumbar. This in turn will bring other benefits for the health of your back.
• Improve your posture: by strengthening the lumbar muscles you will notice an immediate improvement in your standing posture. It will be easier for you to keep your back perfectly upright since the fibers of these muscles will be noticeably strengthened.
• Avoid back pain: by improving your posture, you will reduce the tension accumulated in your back, which will prevent pain due to exhaustion of the dorsal, trapezius or scapula muscles, all thanks to the strengthening of the lumbar muscles.
• Increases blood flow: the currents used in EMS emanate heat that will dilate the blood vessels in the lumbar muscles. This will generate a chain reaction that will considerably improve the assimilation of nutrients from these muscles, helping to strengthen them even more.
• Prevents spinal injuries: having healthy and strong lumbar muscles will allow you to eliminate tension on the vertebrae of your back, which is related to the improvement you will notice in your posture. In this way, you will reduce to the maximum the probabilities of suffering from nerve impingement injuries and even herniated discs.
• Muscle relaxation: after an EMS therapy you will feel your lower back muscles much more relaxed, which will prevent them from getting injured due to accumulation of tension and stress, and could even help you to relieve pain due to myofascial trigger points.

Best EMS electrostimulators to strengthen lower back muscles

Now it's time for you to learn about some of the top EMS devices you can buy on the market for healthier and stronger lower back muscles.

This is the latest model in the SP series of electro-stimulators from Compex. The Compex SP 8.0 is the ideal exercise tool for professional athletes, offering a powerful EMS stimulation system that produces muscle contractions that increase strength, volume, tone and muscle elasticity, allowing you to use it before exercise to improve your performance, and after exercise to facilitate recovery.

It features MI tracking technology, which allows the SP 8.0 to perform a quick automatic muscle scan, and set the appropriate program according to the goal you want to achieve. This professional-grade training device will revolutionize the way you exercise, as it is designed for athletes who practice their discipline on a daily basis.

The physiotherapy brand Med-Fit has a large supply of mini electrostimulators, designed to apply TENS and EMS therapy on localized areas of the body. It has the capacity to give electric massages on different areas affected by pain, as well as to provoke high frequency impulses to generate muscular activity.

It has a rechargeable battery that provides an autonomy of up to 8 hours, and more than 1000 charges. You can charge it through its USB port, by means of the cable included in the package. In addition, you will find the mini electrostimulation unit, 1 butterfly electrode, 2 self-adhesive electrodes of 2x5 cm, 1 user manual and several guides for positioning the unit.

The PowerDot 2.0 is an intelligent electrical stimulation electrode that will allow you to apply TENS and EMS current shocks for both pain treatment and conditioning of different muscle groups. It includes more than 400 customised programmes that can be easily managed with the mobile app available for both Android and iOS.

The simple interface of the PowerDot app will guide you through everything you need to know to operate the electrodes efficiently. The purchase package includes 2 pre-loaded pods, 2 sets of electrodes with corresponding pads, 2 sets of cables and 2 micro USB charging cables, along with a carrying case so you can take your electrodes with you wherever you go.

Med-Fit's proprietary 4-channel electrostimulator features a powerful combination of TENS and EMS stimulation therapies that will give a new definition to your fitness routines. It has 20 modes of use, 19 of which are clinically proven TENS pain relief programs, and 11 are education, stimulation and muscle massage programs.

Its 4-channel function gives you the ability to apply 4 different therapies through 8 electrodes pads to different areas of the body, allowing you to treat them simultaneously with a specific mode of use for each area. Additionally, its long-lasting rechargeable battery will give you an autonomy of up to 10 continuous hours of use, and can be recharged a minimum of 1,000 times.

The TensCare brand presents its innovative TensCare Alivia electrostimulator model, an electrical stimulation unit that uses muscle electrostimulator technology focused on strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, preventing problems such as incontinence, endometriosis pain, dysmenorrhea, menstrual pain and more.

The Alivia brand also has a specialized toning program for the pelvic floor that will allow you to strengthen this area with only 20 minutes of daily use, and has an innovative open circuit detection system that will calibrate the intensity of the electrical impulses to 0 if one of the electrodes becomes detached from the skin, protecting you against electric shocks.

Video: How to place the electrodes pads on the lower back?

Electrodes for lower back

• For low back pain: The placement of the electrodes in TENS will depend on the ailment we wish to treat. If we are suffering from localized low back pain, the first thing to do is to locate the point of pain as precisely as possible, and in doing so, enclose it in between two pads so that the current flows down the nerve and increases our pain threshold.
• Herniated disc pain: In case of pain due to a herniated disc, you must locate the affected vertebra and enclose it in the middle of the electrodes following the line of the spine, since the electrodes cannot be placed in different hemispheres as it may be counterproductive.
• For sacroiliitis pain: Another pain that we can contain with TENS is sacroiliitis. For this we place one pad on the iliac crest on the side where you feel the pain, while the other is located in the belly of the gluteus maximus as close to the rectum so that the current flows through the joint and thus relieves pain due to inflammation of the same.

More types of EMS stimulators and TENS machines you should know about

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for face pain and toothache? Placement of electrode pads (UK)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Most common types of lower back injuries

Before showing you the solutions, it is time for you to know the problems, because the lower back is exposed to a huge number of injuries that can be the cause of your pain. Among them we can highlight the following:

• Lumbago: this is the medical name given to pain in the lumbar area, which is usually related to lumbar muscle strains, inflamed ligaments or nerves. It usually manifests itself with a sharp pain that may spread to the upper part of your buttocks.
• Lumbar hernia: this is the name given to the slippage of one of the cartilaginous discs found in the middle of the vertebral discs that make up your lumbar area. This slippage causes it to bulge out of its original position, which usually causes pressure on one of the many nerves that pass through this section of the back. This is why the pain usually manifests itself when we try to perform a movement that involves flexing the torso.
• Arthrosis: this is a degenerative disease that generates wear and tear in the cartilaginous tissue that covers the bones. When it manifests itself in the lumbar area, as cartilage is lost, it generates wear and tear in the vertebral discs, which generates strong rheumatism.
• Sacroiliitis: the sacroiliac joints are those where the lower back joins the pelvis. This injury refers to the inflammation of these joints, which causes acute pain that may even spread to the buttocks.
• Nerve impingement: refers to the shortening or compression of one of the many nerves that flow throughout the spinal column and spinal cord, which may manifest itself in the lower back.

These are just some of the possible causes of your back pain, but the reality is that the list is much longer. For this reason you should always go to a specialist to rule out much more serious pathologies such as:

• Cancer or sarcomas.
• Severe kidney deficiency.
• Severe scoliosis.
• Osteoporosis.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Severe nerve pathologies.

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

Well, now that you know your rivals, it is time to introduce you to your partners. First of all, we have TENS electrotherapy or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which is based on the administration of low and medium intensity currents that reach the lumbar nerves with the objective of affecting the pain transmission process.

This can be achieved in several ways; reducing the production of pain neurotransmitters such as endogenous opioids, acetylcholine or serotonin, which are chemical substances that the body generates as a result of a stimulus that is harmful to the organism. As well as altering the nerve receptors to increase the amount of these neurotransmitters necessary for them to be activated, thus raising the patient's pain threshold.

Then we have EMS therapy , which uses medium and high intensity currents that pass through the nerves and reach the lumbar muscles directly, generating in them a contraction that simulates the one obtained naturally when performing strength exercises. It strengthens the musculature that gives stability to the lower back, which helps prevent soft tissue injuries.

What is the best way to treat low back pain? Well, obviously TENS therapy. This will be more effective since it will act on the pain receptors in the sciatic and spinal nerves to generate a relief that can be maintained even for several hours after the session.

Contraindications for the use of electrodes and electrotherapy