Abundant evidence indicates that TENS can be used effectively to alleviate certain pain syndromes. For patients suffering from chronic musculo-skeletal pain in particular, TENS offers an alternative means of pain management. This book addresses the need among physiotherapists for a practical manual on the application of this relatively new technique. Numerous illustrations provide guidelines for the choice of stimulation parameters, the selection of electrode positions, as well as other aspects related to technique. A brief introduction to the neurophysiological mechanisms of pain and the pain-relieving effects of TENS is also given. These special features make this comprehensive presentation of particular interest to physiotherapists and clinicians actively engaged in the management of patients suffering from pain.

1 The Neurophysiology of Pain

Pain Receptors
Pain Nerves
Dermatomes and Myotomes
Transmission in the Spinal Cord
Ascending Pathways
Pain from Different Organ Systems
Physiological Mechanisms of Pain Control
2 Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
General Principles for the Use of TENS
Indications for the Use of TENS
General Characteristics of TENS Units
Conventional High-Frequency TENS
Alternative Modes of TENS
The Neural Mechanisms of TENS in Alleviating Pain
Electrodes and Electrode Placements
Side Effects and Counterindications of TENS
3 TENS in Different Pain Syndromes
Post-operative Pain
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Low Back Pain
Arthritic Pain
Pain in the Chest
Fracture Pain
Deafferentation Pain
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Central Pain
Phantom Pain
Vascular Pain
Headaches
Dental Pain
Cancer Pain
Dysmenorrhea
Labour Pain
Bladder Pain
Pancreatic Pain
Psychogenic Pain
4 Additional Areas of Application of TENS and Different Modes of Electrical Stimulation
Sports Medicine
Improvement of Muscle Function
Wound and Fracture Healing
Treatment of Venous Stasis
Pruritus.