Can a Tens Machine help with Neck Pain?
By Tens Machine UK Content Team . Last Updated Tuesday, 23rd July 2024
Can a Tens Machine help with Neck Pain?
Neck pain is a major issue leading to both short-term and long-term absence from work, affecting 4 in 10 people in the UK. Women are more commonly affected by neck pain than men, particularly those working in clerical, service, or agricultural industries.
As people search for quick and easy pain relief, especially for recurring neck pain, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machines have gained popularity. TENS machines offer several advantages: they provide instant pain relief, are low-cost, and are portable, giving users a convenient and discreet option for managing their pain.
The neck is particularly vulnerable to injury from car accidents, sports, recreational activities, falls, or any incidents that force the neck to move beyond its normal range. Other common causes of neck pain include poor posture, jerking the neck during exercise, sleeping in an unusual position, and prolonged periods of desk work.
How can a Tens Machine help relieve Neck Pain
A TENS machine has become a popular tool for relieving neck pain due to its non-invasive nature and portability. Customers often consider whether the device is wireless or wired when making a choice.
TENS machines deliver a low voltage current through sticky pads, known as electrodes, placed directly on the skin around the treatment area. The machine works by stimulating nerve fibres and blocking pain signals from reaching the brain, which results in pain relief. Additionally, TENS machines encourage the production of endorphins, enhancing pain relief.
These devices also have a history of improving blood circulation in the painful area, promoting healing, and reducing inflammation. A major benefit of TENS devices is their ease of use and affordability. Regular use of a TENS machine can also help reduce the need for pain relief medication.
Can a Tens Machine improve Recovery Time?
It is possible that a Tens Machine can help improve recovery time for neck pain, as it can address a number of key factors that help improve healing and recovery time of neck pain.
These factors being:
- Improved Blood Circulation - Improving blood circulation to an affected area brings more oxygen and nutrients to the tissue, which typically aids in the healing process but one major point is that it can help reduce inflammation, which is a common cause for prolonged pain and issue in neck pain.
- Reduction in Neck Pain - Tens Machines give almost immediate relief when the electrodes are placed in the correct areas, giving you the ability to maintain daily activities.
- Range of Motion - On top of pain relief and possible muscle relaxation, you may find it a little easier when it comes to stretches and range of motion of your neck, especially motion that is crucial for preventing recurring neck stiffness.
- Prevents Muscle Spasms - Tens machines can help with reducing muscle spasms, but also further injury or possible strain to your neck, which as a result will help improve recovery time - relaxed and less tensed muscles are more likely to heal faster than those that are strained or tense.
What are the benefits of using a Tens Machine?
A TENS machine offers numerous benefits, particularly for those seeking neck pain relief. These devices have a primary purpose: pain relief. They achieve this by reducing inflammation, alleviating pain around the affected area via electrodes, and relieving muscle tension, which contributes to better recovery times and reduced pain.
TENS machines are accessible to everyone due to their portability, affordability, and customizable settings. They are also very simple to use. A significant advantage is that TENS can be used in conjunction with physical therapy exercises, enhancing their effectiveness and aiding in recovery.
For more information on choosing the right TENS machine
What are the typical causes for Neck Pain
There are a number of causes for neck pain, from the very minor things to a little more serious / painful causes.
- Injury - Falls, Blows, Whiplash, all giving you sudden painful neck pain, and it can be all around the neck or at certain angles.
- Muscle Strains - These can be due to repetitive movements or activities for example: lifting heavy objects or even painting the ceiling at a strange angle, can lead to neck strains. Similar to the above, sudden movements can lead to strains in the neck muscles.
- Old Age or Degenerative Conditions - Osteoarthritis can lead to wear and tear of cartilage in the neck, but a more age related condition is cervical spondylosis which is changes in the cervical spine, such as degenerating discs or bone spur which typically can lead to neck pain.
- Medical Conditions - There are three that immediately spring to mind, Meningitis which is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, causing severe neck pain and stiffness. Another is Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and pain in the neck joints. Last one is Fibromyalgia a chronic condition that is charactised by widespread pain across the body, this also includes neck pain but is more rare than the ones above when associated with specific neck pain.
- More Psychological Factors - Tension and general stress can lead to muscle tension in the neck, shoulders and even cause pain. Many aim to relieve this type of stress with working out or massages, however other factors like depression can also be associated with neck pain.
Tens Electrode Placement for Neck Pain
Proper tens electrode placement is very important when it comes to effective use of a TENS machine and relieving neck pain.
There are a few instructions to follow in your book that you receive along with your Tens Machine, however here are a few tips to help with neck pain placement of electrodes:
- For the first point, identify the pain point / area: Determine where the main pain is, this will guide you in placing the electrodes (do not place on the front of the neck).
- Once identified, clean and dry the skin, then place the electrode on top of the skin - the cleaning and drying of the area will help the electrodes stick better.
- One point to mention is that you should NOT place the electrodes on the spine at any point, only place them on the muscles around the painful area.
- Another important tip is to ensure electrode distance - electrodes need to be at least an inch apart from each other, otherwise if they’re too close, they may not work as effectively.
Further Tips for Use:
Once you’ve placed the electrodes on your skin and connected them to your Tens device, start with a low intensity and gradually increase to a comfortable level. If you aim to move your electrodes slightly, turn off the machine before doing so.
Typical TENS sessions can be between 20 to 60 minutes, however it’s really customer preference. You can use a TENS device several times a day for long or short periods if you find pain relief in doing so, however others may use it less frequently.
DO check under your skin for any irritation or redness, as irritation has been known to happen during use of TENS treatment if frequently being used.