How to use a TENS units & EMS machines for period pain & abdominal cramps? Placement of electrode pads

Period pain is possibly the ailment that all women in the world suffer the most during their lives, it can be considered as part of their life cycle, and although many get used to it, it never ceases to be an almost unbearable discomfort in some circumstances.

Fortunately, electrotherapy can be a great ally to help you eradicate the pain caused by cramps, menstruation or any other cause that is generating such discomfort in the lower abdominal area. That is why today we are going to show you how to use it to make your ailments disappear.

How to use TENS machines to relieve menstrual or belly pain?

As you may have noticed, the ideal therapy to relieve menstrual pain is TENS, so here we will show you in detail its benefits and how to use it to stop feeling that strong pain that ruins the days of menstruation.

Benefits

• Vasodilation: it will allow blood vessels to relax and dilate to allow more blood flow to the abdominal area, which will allow pain relief to be maintained even after your TENS session is over.
• Increases pain threshold: one of its greatest benefits is that unlike drugs it does not create dependence, so as you use TENS you will become more and more tolerant to menstrual pain, to the point that you will feel it as a mild discomfort without having to be glued to your electrotherapy device.
• Nerve and muscle relaxation: TENS is a healthy therapy for your nervous system as it strengthens it and helps it to relax, which will prevent other problems such as pinched nerves or neuropathies in the future.

What intensity to use?

One of the most important things to keep in mind to relieve your belly pain is the intensity of the current you should use. In this sense you have two options:

• 10Hz to 30Hz: you get a mild stimulation that will allow a relaxation of the nerves in case you have a pain that is not so intense.
• 40Hz to 80Hz: this is the frequency to use in case you have a very strong and intense pain that you cannot tolerate.

Best TENS units for menstrual pain relief

Here are a number of transcutaneous nerve stimulation machines that are ideal for treating all types of abdominal pain and cramps:

The Omega brand presents what is, to date, one of the most complete and ergonomic wireless muscle electrostimulation devices on the market. This is the Omega Wireless TENS unit, which features state-of-the-art TENS technology for pain relief, applied to almost any part of the body thanks to its ergonomic and adaptable design.

It has 6 modes of use and 20 levels of intensity, which can be adapted to any part of the body according to the intensity of the pain and the size of the treated area. It does not require the use of an application or cables to work, as its electrodes are automatically connected to the remote control of the device, which has a touch screen that allows you to visualise and control the modes of use in a very simple way.

The Acculove brand of physical therapy products provides its users with a professional quality electric massage unit that combines the best of TENS and EMS electrotherapy to create the most complete massage experience, all available in an incredibly compact machine that you can take anywhere you want and use at any time.

This device is powered by 3 AAA batteries that are included in the package. It does not require frequent changes or recharging, due to its efficient power consumption. Additionally, it has a dual channel function, so you can work different parts of the body simultaneously as required.

The WiTouch electrostimulation device is one of Hollywog's most popular and outstanding products, designed with high quality TENS technology, allowing you to apply it to any area of the body where you feel pain, with the aim of generating an instant sensation of relief. Its lightweight and compact design allows you to use it discreetly anytime, anywhere.

It features 4 effective and comprehensive electrotherapy programmes, including WiTouch's unique patented treatment programme; each programme offers 15 levels of intensity, with a professional-grade power output ranging from 0 - 100mA. The package includes the WiTouch device, 3 pairs of gel pads, 2 AAA batteries, a mini screwdriver to access the battery compartment and a quick start guide.

This electric massage unit provided by iReliev is one of the most versatile and, at the same time, simplest electrostimulation machines you can find, with 8 predefined modes of use 25 adjustable intensity levels, you can program it to fit your body's needs. Additionally, its dual channel function allows you to program more than one massage mode simultaneously to treat multiple areas of the body.

It has an interesting session timer function that allows you to adjust the duration of each therapy up to a maximum of 60 minutes. Its compact size allows it to be carried in your pocket, so you can take it with you from home to work, or on the road, and use it whenever you need it.

Easy@Home's compact TENS unit is one of the safest, most practical and versatile ways to treat muscle and nerve pain anywhere, thanks to its TENS and EMS electrical stimulation technology, designed for localised pain relief.

Its ergonomic design allows you to position the electrode almost anywhere on the body, so you can apply the electrical impulses to biceps, triceps, shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles and any other area requiring treatment. It has 6 modes of use and 20 intensity levels, which can be easily adjusted from the two-button control built into the pad.

The correct word to describe the effect of this compact electrostimulator from iReliev is "precision". It is a wireless device designed for the treatment of localised pain points. Due to its size and the fact that it does not require any wires to operate, it is completely discreet and can be used anywhere, while travelling and under clothing.

Its efficient use of TENS technology allows it to block pain signals before they reach the brain, making it a safe method of treating ailments. It also has a long-lasting lithium battery and an energy-efficient function, which switches the device off every 20 minutes. One of the best devices on the market in terms of portability, discretion and functionality.

This wireless mini massager, brought to you by TENS MAKER, is one of the most compact and versatile ways to combat aches and pains caused by illness and injury with 15 levels of intensity to suit any type of pain. Its compact size and discretion make it totally portable, so you can make use of this amazing device at any time and place.

Upon purchase, you will receive not one, but two TENS devices, along with 4 gel pads, 2 sets of interchangeable batteries, 1 storage case and 1 instruction manual. This is one of the best cordless massage machines you will find, providing immediate relief for any type of ailment.

The Techcare massager belt features cutting-edge technology in the field of electrostimulation for fat loss and abdominal muscle toning. It is compatible with the best TENS and EMS units on the market, and is one of the most sought after options for lower back pain relief as well as abdominal definition.

The package includes only the electro massage garment, so you will need a TENS or EMS electrotherapy unit to use it. Its compatibility with both types of electrotherapy makes it the ideal choice for both fitness and treatment of various ailments.

This device is one of the best creations of the COMPEX brand of products. It is an electrotherapy belt ideal for the treatment of ailments and physical conditioning thanks to the application of TENS or EMS electrostimulation, which also includes the thermotherapy function.

The belt does not require connection to operate, which makes it portable and practical, in addition to having a low-profile design for use at any time. It is powered by a lithium battery and has 8 modes of use that cover a wide range of intensities.

The AUVON electro stimulator is at the forefront of electro stimulation technology, combining TENS and EMS stimulation technologies to obtain one of the most complete treatments for acute and chronic pain, caused by injuries or illnesses, as well as an incredible complement for physical conditioning thanks to its muscle stimulation technology.

It has 20 modes of use that apply different types of massages oriented to treat a wide variety of ailments, and with its independent channel control mode you will have the possibility of configuring different programs for each of the channels individually, to apply different types of massages in various areas of the body.

Video: How to place electrodes pads on the abdominals?

Electrodes for abdomen

• Period pain: For menstrual pain, the electrodes are placed in the lower abdomen between the navel and the genital area, always prioritizing that the electrodes enclose the painful area.
• Cramps: Cramps can be felt in any area of the abdomen, although they occur more regularly in the lateral sections. Whatever their position, what you should do is to enclose the area of pain between the electrodes. If you have 4, the ideal is to place them in a diamond shape surrounding the point of pain and if you have only 2, place them in the middle of both.

More types of EMS electrostimulators and TENS machines you should know

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What are the causes of period pain?

Belly pain is undoubtedly one of the most common, especially in women, and although it is often attributed to a menstrual process, the truth is that it can have other causes that we will mention below.

• Colic: these are an accumulation of air in some abdominal area, which causes discomfort that depending on the amount of accumulated gases may be of lesser or greater intensity.
• Constipation: when eses accumulate for many days, they begin to generate pressure in the intestines that manifests itself as pain in the pelvic area. It is also very common for them to generate gas, which in turn causes cramping.
• Menstruation: this female biological process is one of the most common causes of belly pain, which is generated by the so-called menstrual cramps that have their origin in gases emanating from the bleeding characteristic of this process.
• Abdominal hernia: this is an opening in the abdominal walls that allows the tissue of an organ to protrude outward, which generates pain. Unlike the previous causes, this is a mostly active pain that manifests itself when the patient performs any activity that requires considerable effort in the abdominal area.
• Stomach infection: a stomach infection can generate wounds in the walls of the stomach that manifest with an intense and unbearable pain throughout the abdominal area.
• Indigestion: poorly digested food in the intestinal tract generates a large amount of gases that are highly likely to cause cramps in the abdominal area that generate a lot of pain.

What is electrotherapy and how can it help relieve menstrual pain?

Electrotherapy is a technique that consists of applying electricity to a person's body in order to generate a reaction in the body. It is a method that has been implemented for several decades, and today has hundreds of studies that confirm its effectiveness in relieving pain and strengthening muscles. Although there are more than 5 modalities, the most popular for everyday use are the following.

TENS

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation is nothing more than a form of electrotherapy that administers low-intensity, high-frequency currents to the body, acting directly on the nerves. In the case of menstrual pain, it acts on the enteric nervous system which is responsible for all intestinal processes, for it is there where the pain receptors of the entire abdominal region, including the belly, are located.

What TENS therapy does is that it alters the production of pain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, so that this is reduced, while "numbing" the pain receptors of these substances, but requiring a greater amount of these to send a signal of intense pain to the brain. Both effects have the perfect synergy to alleviate your "suffering".

EMS

The second popular form of electrotherapy is electro muscle stimulation. This, unlike the previous one, uses higher intensity and lower frequency currents, which go directly to the abdominal muscles to generate a contraction similar to the one you generate naturally when you train your core in the gym.

This does not have any pain relief function, but focuses mainly on strengthening and toning the muscles, so it will not help you to relieve your belly aches, although it will help you to have a flat and toned abdomen.

Contraindications in the use of electrodes pads and electrotherapy