Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition in which various joints become inflamed.
This inflammation leads to pain, stiffness, swelling and possible loss of function.
The problem lies with the protective sac which surrounds joints.
Th e sac contains a fluid which cushions joints and also supplies nutrients and
oxygen to cartilage (cartilage is made of collagen). When suffering from rheumatoid
arthritis, imflammation of the protective sac gradually destroys collagen and
hence the cartillage, narrowing the joint space and damaging the bone.
In Progressive rheumatoid arthritis the damage is accelerated when the sac fluid
and inflamed cells accumulate to form thickened tissue. This tissue produces enzymes
that destroy nearby cartilage, which in turn attracts more inflammatory cells,
therby perpetuating the whole process.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Does TENS work?
When treating the pain associated with Rheumatoid arthritis, TENS or Transcutaneous
Electrical Nerve Stimulation offers an excellent alternative to pain-killing drugs.
It is a non-invasive, drug-free method of pain relief. It is ideal for the treatment
of arthritis. 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 (controlled by the user at all times) 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.