Tens Unit Therapy for Sciatica Pain
Sciatic pain is one of the most prevalent problems faced by people. Sciatic pain is the pain and discomfort that radiates along the sciatic nerve. The nerve is present from the lower back, runs through the hips, buttocks and down each the leg.
This is the largest nerve in the human body. The sciatic nerve has many important purposes. It connects the spinal cord with the legs. It also keeps the leg and foot muscles together. Any kind of inconvenience that occurs along the nerve is the reason behind sciatica pain.
Main Causes of Sciatica Pain:
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Cervical Spinal Stenosis: This is a condition that is commonly found in older people. The spinal cord is made up of a series of bones that support the human body. The spinal cord runs through the vertebrae.
With old age, the vertebrae shrink which does not leave enough space for the spinal cord. This results in pain, numbness or a tingling sensation.
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Lumbar Herniated Disc: The discs in the spinal cord have a soft inner material and a fibrous outer layer. In conditions like the lumbar herniated disc, the inner layer leaks because rupture of some sort, causing discomfort and a feeling of itchiness.
Patients suffering from this condition also complain of pinching like pain. This problem is also known with various names like slipped disc, ruptured disc, burning disc or pinched nerve. All the problems have the same root cause and commonly result in sciatica pain.
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Degenerative Disk Disease: Degeneration is common with old age. In some cases, degeneration leads to the inflammatory proteins leaking from the interior of the vertebrae affecting the nerve roots.
This is another cause of sciatica pain. Deterioration of the discs, especially in the lower back of the body, can cause severe sciatic pain.
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Isthmic Spondylolisthesis: This occurs when there is a fracture in one disc which causes it to slip and fall onto another one. This is also called the slip disc problem.
When this happens, the sciatic nerve can get pinched as there is no place, resulting in pain.
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Muscle Strain and Pregnancy: Inflammation in the lower back due to excessive strain can give pain.
During pregnancy, many women gain weight and go through hormonal changes which can give rise to sciatica pain as well.
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Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: At the end of the spine there is a sacroiliac joint present. When there is excessive stress on the joint, it can put pressure on the nerve called L5, which is similar to sciatica nerve pain. Another of such conditions is the Piriformis syndrome.
In rare cases, a tumor can press onto the sciatica nerve which causes pain. Infection also is not very common but a possible explanation for such pain.
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Fracture: any fracture in the lumbar vertebrae will mostly have the side effect of sciatica pain as the fracture may affect the nerve by causing trauma.
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Fractures can also make bones weaker causing any of the above conditions.
What is TENS?
A TENS machine is a handy and trustable product. The machine is powered with the help of batteries and has to connections with electrodes as their ends. These electrodes are placed in the area of pain, and electrical impulses are sent from the machine. The Intensity of these impulses can be changed by the user. The TENS machine makes use of these electrical impulses to for pain-relief.
TENS Unit for Sciatica Pain
TENS machine relieves sciatica pain like any other. There are two reasons why this machine gives instant relief from pain. The electronic impulses which are sent locally cause the blood vessels in that area to expand. Hence, more blood is pumped locally, and it also encourages the production of endorphins. Endorphins are natural pain killers of the body.
The root of the problem has a faster chance of curing when this occurs. The impulses also distract the nerves from sending the pain signals to the spinal cord or the brain. As a consequence, during the time that the machine is used, the patient does not feel any pain.
Just like any other area, in sciatica pain, the TENS machine electrodes should be placed in the local area of pain. It is important to identify where exactly the pain originates from such that the electrodes can be placed correctly.
This gives maximum results when used properly. When there is a pain in the lower back or the buttocks, the electrodes should be places where the radiating pain is originating from. In cases of leg pain, the electrodes should be placed on the back of the leg to find instant relief.
Usually, you won’t experience any side effects while using the Tens unit. It can also be carried easily as it is small. It is affordable to buy but highly effective in its capability to cure sciatica pain.
