ABOUT TENS

What is pain?
Pain is the body's warning system. Pain is important because it signals an unusual condition in the body and alerts us before additional damage or injury can occur. However, long-lasting, persistent pain, often called chronic pain, once diagnosed serves no apparent purpose. These GEM-STIM TENS are developed to help relieve some types of chronic and acute pain.

What is T.E.N.S.?
T.E.N.S. (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) is a type of electrotherapy equipment that works by sending small electrical pulses through the skin via tens unit electrodes to the underlying peripheral nerves. T.E.N.S. is thought to work in two ways. First, "high frequency" continuous, mild, electrical activity blocks the pain signal traveling to the brain. Brain cells perceive pain. If the pain signal does not get through to the brain, the pain is not "felt." The second way is by stimulating the body's own natural pain-control mechanism. "Low frequency" or short bursts of mild electrical activity cause the body to release its own pain easers called beta endorphins. Ask your doctor or clinician for more details on this type of electrotherapy equipment.

Electric myostimulation has proven its high value as a method of pain therapy and is a great help to the experienced therapist.

With some indications, physicians can prescribe unit to patients for the use at home.

The unit is a dual-Channel electric stimulator for active treatment application, which is equipped with a Liquid Crystal Display indicating operation modes and output as well as an 8-bit micro computer for controlling the system.

The electronics of the unit create electric impulses: the intensity, duration, frequency per second and modulation of these impulses can be adjusted through the button or knob.

Read the operation manual before using the device.

Federal law ( USA ) restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. Observe your physician's precise instructions and let him show you where to apply the electrodes. For a successful therapy, the correct application of the electrodes is an important factor. Carefully write down the settings your physician recommended.

Indications for use
This device is a prescription device and only for symptomatic relief of chronic intractable pain.

Contraindications

• Any electrode placement that applies current to the carotid sinus (neck) region.
• Patients with implanted electronic devices (for example, a pacemaker) or metallic implants 
  should not undertake.
• Any electrode placement that causes current to flow transcerebrally. (through the head)
  The use of unit whenever pain symptoms are undiagnosed, unit etiology is determined.
• The use of TENS whenever pain syndromes are undiagnosed, until etiology is established.

Warnings

• The device must be kept out of reach of children.
• The safety of device for use during pregnancy or delivery has not been established.
• Do not place electrodes on front of the throat. This may result is spasms of the laryngeal
  and pharyngeal muscles.
• Do not place the electrodes over the carotid nerve.
• The device is not effective for pain of central origin (headaches).
• The device may interfere with electronic monitoring equipment (such as ECG monitors
  and ECG alarms).
• Electrodes should not be placed over the eyes, in the mouth, or internally.
• These devices have no curative value.
• TENS devices should be used only under the continued supervision of a physician.
• TENS is a symptomatic treatment and as such suppresses the sensation of pain which
  would otherwise serve as a protective mechanism.

Precautions/adverse Reactions

• Isolated cases of skin irritation may occur at the site of electrode placement following long-term application.
• Stimulation should be stopped and electrodes removed until the cause of the irritation can
  be determined.
• Effectiveness is highly dependent upon patient selection by a person qualified in the
  management of pain patients.
• If the device treatment becomes ineffective or unpleasant, stimulation should be
  discontinued until reevaluation by a physician/clinician.
• Always turn the device off before applying or removing electrodes.
• Skin irritation and electrode burns are potential adverse reactions.