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

Muscle pain is one of the most common ailments in the world, and although most of the time it is usually related to "benign" causes and not very risky for the sufferer's health, its simple appearance on a constant basis can turn anyone's life into a real ordeal, affecting its quality.

Electrotherapy, both in its TENS and EMS modalities, is presented as a viable option to treat pain in case of muscular injuries, as well as to prevent it. It is non-invasive and above all it offers relief free from the consumption of painkillers and other drugs that could cause dependence and side effects quite counterproductive in the long term. That is why today we will teach you how to use these therapies to relieve any muscle pain you may suffer from.

How to use a TENS machine to relieve muscle pain?

Knowing that TENS will help you relieve pain, it's time to understand how it works. What it does is to provide an electrical discharge that directly influences the body's natural mechanisms to produce pain, which work as follows: once we receive a blow or any other damage to the muscles, the body produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin, endogenous opioids or acetylcholine.

These neurotransmitters reach the nerve receptors to report the noxious impulse, which send a signal to the spinal cord that will subsequently inform the brain of the damage that will be reflected in pain. All this happens very fast and what TENS does is to affect this whole process by limiting the speed at which these pain neurotransmitters are produced and also by altering the electrical signals of the aforementioned nerves.

This simple action makes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy has benefits such as:

• Increased pain threshold: since the nerves will need more neurotransmitters and in turn the body will stop producing them so quickly, which causes the patient's tolerance to increase. The muscle nerves in which this action is most effective are the femoral and tibial nerves in the legs, and the median, radial and ulnar nerves in the arm.
• Itreduces the production of pain neurotransmitters: substances necessary to send nerve signals to the brain such as serotonin or acetylcholine will be produced more slowly than normal. In this way, the brain does not reflect pain as intensely as it should.
• Contributes to cellular recovery: since the heat emanating from the currents used will dilate the blood vessels for greater oxygenation, which will considerably speed up the regeneration of damaged cells so that the body recovers more quickly.
• It influences the reciprocal innervation: which consists of the involuntary contraction and relaxation of the antagonist nerves when feeling pain, the first of these being counterproductive for the recovery of the muscle. With the relief generated during the TENS session, a total relaxation of the muscular tissues is achieved, which avoids damage due to the use of a muscle whose fibers are distended or contracted.

These benefits are very benevolent for the treatment of muscle injuries, especially in both the lower and upper extremities, and the back.

For this reason TENS therapy is ideal for relieving pain caused by injuries such as:

• Sciatica.
• Lumbago.
• Back pain.
• Cervicalgia.
• Muscle tears.
• Muscle strain.
• Muscle contracture
• Pinched nerves.

However, we must warn that this therapy only works to relieve pain, but in no way is it a curative method that can replace the treatment indicated by a specialist. Electrotherapy alone will not cure you, it will simply reduce the aches and pains to make your recovery period much more pleasant.

Best TENS machines for muscle injury recovery

Here are some of the best TENS units machines to relieve muscle aches and pains in a jiffy:

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 electrostimulator model SEM 43 of the Sanitas brand is one of the most versatile and efficient combinations of TENS and EMS technologies, through which you can apply low intensity currents for the relief of ailments of any kind, as well as more powerful electrical impulses to stimulate muscle development and relaxing massages to undo the tension of the muscles.

It has 50 preset programs, 44 modes of which are divided between TENS, EMS and therapeutic electrotherapy, 6 are fully customizable to offer a wide and varied treatment. It has a session timer function that you can program between 5 and 100 minutes, and an automatic shut-off function for optimal energy saving.

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.

How to use an EMS muscle stimulator for muscle hypertrophy?

As we mentioned above, the best medicine is prevention, and muscle electrostimulation is one of the best strengthening methods for muscles, which in turn will help avoid a lot of injuries.

Among the main benefits of EMS we can highlight:

• Strengthening of muscle fibers: with the regular use of EMS you will be able to strengthen your muscles thanks to the high and medium intensity currents that perfectly simulate weight training in the gym.
• Improves muscle response: as it improves the recruitment of muscle fibers that are necessary to perform any type of effort or movement that requires power to the muscles, a particularly valuable quality to improve the performance of hamstrings, quadriceps, biceps and triceps.
• Improves blood flow: blood vessels will dilate increasing the amount of blood flowing in them, which will increase oxygenation of tissues and assimilation of nutrients, making it even stronger.
• Prevents muscle injuries: these benefits together will reduce considerably the probability of suffering from muscle injuries such as cramps, strains or contractures, allowing you to have a healthier and more resistant musculature.
• Reduces the appearance of trigger points: the continuous use of EMS will improve the elasticity of the myofascial tissue to prevent it from shortening and the appearance of these pain points that can become a chronic problem.

Best EMS electrostimulators to strengthen and tone muscles

Below you will learn about the best EMS devices you can buy to keep your muscles healthy and strong, so that you prevent as many injuries as possible.

The versatile Compex SP 6.0 electrostimulator is one of the best options for increasing physical performance thanks to its 10 conditioning programs and 5 fitness training programs, allowing you to increase both the strength and volume of your muscles quickly and naturally, through electrical impulses that stimulate the growth of muscle fibers.

It also has 5 recovery massage programs, 8 pain management modes and 2 rehabilitation programs, through which the Compex SP 6.0 facilitates rapid physical recovery and promotes muscle relaxation after exercise. It is the best electric massage unit for athletes who practice their discipline more frequently than 3 times a week.

TensCare offers its users its newest and most versatile electrostimulation device that combines the most cutting-edge TENS and EMS technologies, offering a massage experience designed to relieve all types of ailments naturally and safely, through electrical impulses that stimulate the production of endorphins, along with the most innovative muscle strengthening technology that facilitates the toning and regeneration of muscles from the comfort of your home.

It has 6 programs specifically designed for various muscle groups of different sizes, as well as 2 customizable programs to suit your needs. It has functions specifically focused on user safety, so it has an open circuit detector, which means that if an electrode is detached from the skin, the current intensity will be set to 0 to avoid risky electric shocks.

The UseeShine electrostimulator from NinetinGel is the perfect combination of TENS and EMS electrostimulation technologies, which gives it the ability to offer a complete cycle of massages designed to relieve pain, reduce tension and relax muscles through electrical impulses that promote the release of endorphins and the production of muscle fibers.

It is incredibly easy to use, and features an innovative dual-channel function that allows you to simultaneously treat different parts of the body with different settings, along with a memory function that stores the last massage program used. Its ergonomic and portable design allows you to take it anywhere and use it very discreetly.

The UseeShine muscle stimulator is one of the best additions to fitness training. This EMS stimulation unit has 24 modes of use that will allow you to sculpt the muscles of your arms, legs, back, abs and more thanks to its high intensity electrical impulses that generate great activity in the muscle fibers.

Additionally, it has a TENS electrotherapy current function with which you will be able to treat most muscle, nerve and joint ailments instantly. Both technologies are combined in a compact device with 24 modes of use that will adapt to your needs.

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 the electrodes pads on any muscle?

Electrodes for buttocks

Electrodes for legs

Electrodes for calf

Electrodes for arms

Electrodes for forearms

Electrodes for back

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

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

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

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Most common types of muscle injuries

Muscle injuries are usually related mainly to hydration and nutrition, but also to overuse, too little rest and even age, as muscles lose elasticity in their tissues over the years.

Among the most common ailments we can mention:

• Overload: as its name suggests, this is an ailment that manifests itself when a muscle is overworked, causing its tissues to reach their limit, become inflamed and acquire a certain stiffness. It is characterized by a sharp pain when trying to use the affected muscle, but can also be accompanied by muscle spasms.
• Fibrillar rupture: this refers to the rupture of the fibers of a muscle, which can occur due to a strong blow, or even due to overloading them with work. This is a very common injury in athletes in disciplines such as soccer, basketball, boxing or tennis.
• Contusion: refers to the inflammation of a section of muscle tissue after receiving a strong blow. It manifests with acute pain, reddening of the skin covering the affected muscle and sometimes also with inflammation. It should always be checked by a specialist to know the exact extent of the damage and to verify that there is no fibrillar rupture.
• Cramps: this is an involuntary spasm of a muscle or a section of it for a few seconds or minutes, which causes severe pain in the affected area. It is related to poor hydration, but also, when it occurs without any physical activity, it may be due to circulatory problems, especially when it occurs in large muscle groups such as the back or thighs.
• Strain: this is an elongation produced when the muscle is forced to stretch more than it should, which generates a strong pain that can be maintained for several days, but the most striking thing about it is the obvious weakness of the muscle that generates instability and limits its functioning.
• Contracture: like a cramp, it is the contraction or shortening of a section of a muscle, with the difference that this usually lasts for much longer, generating other symptoms such as weakness, joint instability and limitations of movement.

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

To relieve muscle pain without using painkillers or other drugs, we have electrotherapy. First of all, we have the transcutaneous nerve stimulation or TENS for its acronym in English.

This focuses on stimulation at the nervous level, sending low and medium intensity discharges to achieve essentially two things; reduce the production and speed of transmission of substances such as serotonin or acetylcholine, two neurotransmitters that respond to noxious impulses to inform the brain of pain, and alter the muscle nerve receptors so that they need more of these substances.

As a result, the threshold of pain that a person can tolerate is raised considerably, which generates a feeling of relief that will be maintained during and after the session. So you won't need any drugs to confuse your nervous system, drugs that usually leave residues that cause dependency and hundreds of side effects.

Secondly, we have the muscular electrostimulation or EMS. This uses more intense currents that go directly to the muscle tissue, stimulating it to contract and thus simulating the behavior of the muscles during hours of training in the gym or when competing in high-impact sports.

In principle, the ideal therapy to combat pain is TENS, since it will provide relief due to its neurological effects, but we should not underestimate EMS therapy. With it we can strengthen muscles and avoid suffering muscle injuries that cause pain, which gives it a very valuable preventive value. And as they say in medicine "the best cure is prevention".

Contraindications for the use of electrodes and electrotherapy