Lower back pain is characterised by pains or aches situated from anywhere between
the base of the back of the ribs to the top of the legs. The pain can come on
slowly but more often than not, begins suddenly. It can be made even worse by
bending, sitting badly, turning in bed and even coughing or sneezing.
The usual cause of lower back pain is muscle stress and strain but it can also
originate from ligament, tendon or vertabrae damage, posture, feet positioning
amongst others.
Lower back pain is often described in three categories. Acute when it has
lasted less than 6 weeks, Sub-acute if it has lasted between 6 - 12 weeks
and chronic if it has lasted longer than 12 weeks.
Lower Back Pain: Does TENS work?
Naturally prevention is better than a cure. One should attempt to improve posture,
keep fit and avoid carrying heavy loads. Treatments often include pain killing
drugs, osteopathy, etc. However, TENS provides a useful pain killing alternative
or complementary form of relief.
TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a non-invasive,
drug-free method of relief. It is ideal for the treatment of lower
back pain. Pads are placed on or near the area of pain. TENS uses soothing
pulses that are sent via the pads through the skin and along the nerve fibres.
The pulses suppress pain signals to the brain. TENS also encourages the body to
produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins
and Encephalins.
In many cases, stimulation will greatly reduce or eliminate pain.
Relief may continue for several hours after the unit has been switched
off.