Pain Treatment with ESTEM

Question 1

Motor Level stimulation (low-rate TENS)

Answer 1

Used for Chronic pain

• Greater than 150usec pulse duration
• 2-4

Question 2

Motor Level Stimulation

Answer 2

6 hours pain relief

• heat and cold commonly used
• no more than 2X a day at least 6 hours apart
• Do not wear while driving, in the shower, while sleeping or any combinations of the above
• Interferential or Premodulated IFC
• –1-10 bps or fixed 2-4 bps

Question 3

Burst Mode Stimulation

Answer 3

a finite series of pulses usually lasting a few milliseconds. Seen commonly in Russian current for strengthening as well as in motor level TENS. In motor level TENS applications, then intensity is great enough to elicit a muscle contraction
–Not Proven to be any better for pain than other types od TENS

Question 4

Burst vs. High Rate TENS

Answer 4

A controlled double blind study

Question 5

Typical Tens Unit

Modulation

Answer 5

Modulation: altering parameters such as pulse duration, frequency and intensity to avoid patient tolerance of treatment.

Question 6

Typical TENS UNIT

Answer 6

B=Burst
M=modulation
N/C= Normal/ conventional

Question 7

Daily treatment of TENS can cause analgesic tolerance by the 4th day

Answer 7

-meaning that the pt. will have less effect of pain relief with the same level of stimulus

Question 8

All these TENS parameters…does it really matter?

Answer 8

when using Tens Units for chronic pain it is more beneficial to use certain parameters or just allow for patient preference?