Treat Sciatic Pain using a TENS Machine

“Sciatica” refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg.

Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body and manifests itself as a moderate to severe pain in your back, buttocks, and legs. You may also feel weakness or numbness in these areas.

Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain, and often numbness in the affected leg.

Other causes of sciatica include irritation of the nerve from adjacent bone, tumors, muscle, internal bleeding, infections in or around the lumbar spine, spondylolisthesis, injury, spinal stenosis, cauda equina syndrome, osteophyte, and other causes.

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes compressed. Usually, it happens as a result of a herniated disk in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on a vertebra.

Some risks factors are:

• Age, especially people in their 30s and 40s
• Diabetes
• Overweight
• Lack of exercise
• Sleeping in too had or too soft mattresses
• Pregnancy
• Wearing high heels

Sciatica can be prevented by

• Regular exercises
• Maintaining proper posture while sitting
• Avoid heavy weightlifting or carrying or lifting heavy loads for long periods

Treatments for sciatic pain usually medication. There are many pain medications are available in the market, but effectiveness in suppressing sciatica pain has been controversial.

The good news is that there are better ways to relieve sciatic pain without taking any painkillers. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machines can help you to get relief from Sciatic Pain and you can use them at home whenever you like.

TENS machines are a safe, drug-free alternative that might help you reduce discomfort and gain some mobility from sciatica.

How can TENS relieve sciatica pain symptoms? A TENS machine generates electrical impulses through the skin. These pulses block the transmission of pain signals along nerves and also stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

When the TENS unit sends these electrical impulses to your body it stops the radiating pain and giving you the relief you seek.

TENS units are easy to use, very affordable and the electrode pads are the only part that you need to replace.

TENS Machines are simple to use:

1. Start with the TENS machine off
2. Clean the skin where the Gel Pads are to be applied with an alcohol or non-alcohol swab
3. Use two channels and place the pads as in the image below:
   

4. Turn on the TENS MACHINE and select the program. Most TENS MACHINES have a specific program to treat Sciatica

5.  Increase the intensity to a level which is felt but is remains comfortable

6. Repeat

You can use TENS throughout the day for as long as you needed but for the most part programs last 40 minutes.

There are many other benefits of using a TENS / EMS machine you can visit:

https://www.tensmachinesaustralia.com.au/ for more information or call us on 1300 361222.