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

In 2009, 50% of the world's population suffered from headaches constantly. By 2017, this number had risen to 75%, leaving a clear sign that more and more of us are affected by an ailment that, in itself, hides an uncertain number of causes.

In most cases, people turn to painkillers and other drugs to relieve pain, but TENS electrotherapy is a much more natural way to do it, without the risk of side effects. Below you will learn more about it and how it can help you neutralize your headaches and migraines.

How to use TENS machines for headache relief?

Using a TENS unit is quite simple, but we understand that it can be confusing at first. That is why we are going to show you below how to place the electrodes, and what intensity of current to use to relieve your headaches in just a few minutes.

Where to place the electrodes?

The placement of TENS electrodes on the skull follows the same principles as on other parts of the body. The first thing to do is to identify the point of pain and place the pads in an area where they "enclose" the pain so that the current flows through it.

Which current to use?

The voltage of the TENS currents is always the same, what we can modify is the frequency to be used, which can be between 1 Hz and 200 Hz. To treat headache we can use a frequency between 2 Hz and 4 Hz to stimulate the release of endorphins. While if we want to relieve more intense pain we can focus on the threshold of 80 Hz and 100 Hz.

Best TENS units to treat migraines

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.

This wireless electrostimulation unit brought to the public by DIGOT brand, is one of the most versatile devices thanks to its compact size, portability, power and included heat therapy function, which makes it the most recommended option for the treatment and relief of any type of ailment, from joint problems caused by arthritis to muscle pain caused by injuries.

It has 6 massage modes with 19 intensity levels, among which you can switch between heat therapy modes. Its adhesive gel pad is reusable up to 50 times, and its internal lithium battery will give you enough autonomy to withstand several sessions before the next charge.

The electric neck massager from physiotherapy brand FORTHiQ is one of the most precise electrostimulation units available, with an ergonomic design designed exclusively to fit the neck area and deliver TENS electrical impulses to the most sensitive areas, allowing for fast pain relief.

It has 6 modes of use and 15 intensity levels that allow access to deep neck tissue for complete relief of any type of ailment. It can be switched between TENS and effective heat therapy modes very easily thanks to its remote control, and its high capacity battery allows a battery life of up to 6 hours, with a charge of only 30 minutes.

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 PL-029K5 electrostimulation device of the Easy@Home brand is a TENS device that offers its users the professional quality required to effectively eliminate the sensation of pain produced by injuries or illnesses, stimulating the production of endorphins. This feature makes it ideal for the treatment of injuries, especially in the joints, back, abdomen, neuropathies and much more.

Thanks to this device, you will not need drugs or chemicals to produce the sensation of relief, since this will come thanks to the application of low-frequency electrical impulses, which interact with the nervous system. The device is compact, wireless and easy to control, thanks to its simple button design and has 6 modes of use and 20 levels of intensity.

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 Irest Massager brand brings for your use one of the best massage devices on the market. This is its classic mini TENS massage unit, which has 6 modes of use and is focused on relieving pain caused by injuries and diseases. It is particularly useful for joint ailments and neuropathies, although it can be used for almost any type of muscle or nerve pain.

It uses a combination of TENS and POMS technologies to apply low intensity electrical impulses to the affected area, which block pain signals, eliminating the sensation, and increasing the production of endorphins. It has 6 massage modalities and the package includes 1 control, 2 large electrodes, 2 small electrodes, 2 guide wires, 1 electrode and cable case and 1 massage treatment point guide.

The wireless electrotherapy device of the OSITO brand, offers its users the functions of TENS massage for the treatment of ailments of all kinds, and TENS electrical stimulation to improve physical condition by creating activity in the muscle fibers. It has 10 modes of use between TENS and EMS modes, with 25 levels of intensity in each one.

Its design is intended to be practical and portable, so you can even keep it in your pocket and use it anytime and anywhere, avoiding the possibility of tangled cables and allowing you to use it much more easily and quickly. It is undoubtedly one of the most complete options in terms of portable electrostimulation.

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.

Video: How to place electrodes pads to relieve headache pain?

Electrodes for head

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Are EMS machines effective for strengthening muscles and preventing headaches?

As we have discussed throughout the multiple articles on this website, EMS electrostimulation is designed to strengthen muscle mass and its use is not specific to pain relief. While EMS can strengthen certain parts of the neck and neck and thus avoid weaknesses that can trigger pain, for migraines and headaches are not the best option, for that we have the aforementioned TENS currents. They may be effective when the headache is about neck and cervical tensions

What are migraines and what are the causes?

Headache is any painful sensation anywhere in the skull. It is often called by various names around the world; such as migraine, a severe neurological disease that can cause disability or migraine, a form of intense headache that is accompanied by vomiting and dizziness, but the reality is that it is actually a symptom of these and other diseases, and often may not even have a pathological or malignant cause.

Among the most common causes, we can highlight the following:

• Stress: raises cortisol levels, which is manifested in the body with acute headaches, especially in the temples.
• Insomnia: not sleeping well has the same effect as the previous cause, raising cortisol levels and generating headache that may be accompanied by pain in the eye sockets.
• Sinusitis: prolonged nasal congestion generates tension in the upper part of the skull, which manifests itself with intense pain in the region of the forehead and temples that appears on a regular basis.
• Brain pathologies: any medical problem affecting the brain will manifest with pain in different areas of the head.
• Excessive use of medications: some medications can alter your organism so much that they generate headache as a side effect that begins to show days or weeks after starting their consumption.

The reality is that a headache can hide a countless number of causes, so it is always important to consult a specialist when these appear too regularly. This way you will be able to rule out severe pathologies such as the following:

• Migraine.
• STROKE.
• Cardiovascular accident.
• Brain tumor.
• Cerebral aneurysms.

What are the most common types of headaches?

Just as their causes can be varied, there is a wide range of ways to classify headaches. Below you will learn about the main ways in which this ailment presents itself in people who suffer from it.

• Migraine headache: it is an intense pain in one of your temples, which is accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, altered vision and dizziness.
• Tension pain: this is a dull, persistent pain felt in both temples and forehead, usually caused by stress, lack of sleep or anxiety. It may be accompanied by tenderness in the face and neck, or pain in the eye socket.
• Cluster pain: is an intense and very repetitive pain that may occur several times a day. People describe it as a burning in the forehead and eye socket that may be accompanied by watery eyes, swollen eyelids and nasal congestion.
• Exertional headache: a feeling of tension in the whole head or in the temples that is very common after extensive exertion such as running, jumping or lifting heavy weights.
• Hypnic pain: a sharp pain in the temples that usually appears for no apparent reason, very common in people over 50 years old. It is known as "alarm clock pain" because it can start while you sleep and wake you up during the night, interrupting the sleep cycle.

There are 6 other types of headaches that are considered secondary because they manifest in a similar way to the previous ones, but are directly related to other conditions.

These are:

• Pain due to excessive medication.
• Menstrual pain.
• Sinus pain.
• Headache due to caffeine excess.
• Headache due to traumatic brain injury.
• Hangover headache.

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

Electrotherapy is an option that has gained popularity to treat various pains, including headaches, by offering quick relief without the use of drugs of any kind. Among them we have TENS and EMS, which are the best known at present.

TENS or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a therapy that uses high and medium intensity currents, which when used on the skull, directly alter the way in which pain is generated and perceived in the brain. In this way, a sensation of relief is generated because the patient's resistance to pain is directly increased.

EMS or muscular electrostimulation is different, since it focuses on strengthening and toning the muscles, so although it can be used to relieve tension in the cervical area, it is not very effective for treating headaches due to the aforementioned causes.

So to relieve headache pain, without a doubt what you should buy is a TENS stimulation device, since it is designed exclusively for this purpose.

Contraindications in the use of the electrodes and electrotherapy