Can a TENS unit help edema?
The use of the TENS Unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) and E-Stim (Electrical Stimulation) machines greatly enhance recuperation rates of physical therapy patients, as well as the common everyday worker. It has an overall sedative effect on chronic pain associated with inflammation and edema (swelling).
How does estim help edema?
Electrical stimulation for tissue repair (ESTR) helps reduce swelling, increase circulation, and speed up wound healing. Interferential current (IFC) stimulates nerves to reduce pain.
When should you not use estim?
Contraindications to electrical stimulation include:
- Altered tissue sensation.
- Impaired mental status.
- Presence of an implanted electrical device (the e-stim could interfere with pacemakers or implanted pain stimulators)
- Over malignant tissue.
- Over wounds that are overly moist.
Does estim reduce inflammation?
Electrical stimulation helps to prevent atrophy and build or maintain muscular strength, reduces inflammation, and improves range of motion. Different types of electrical stimulation are used in treating sprains, arthritis, chronic pain, and sciatica.
Is swelling and edema the same thing?
“Edema” is the medical term for swelling. Body parts swell from injury or inflammation.
How is edema treated?
Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart. More-severe edema may be treated with drugs that help your body expel excess fluid in the form of urine (diuretics). One of the most common diuretics is furosemide (Lasix).
What are the side effects of electrical stimulation?
Side effects include redness and irritation to the skin which typically clears with topical moisturizer in 24 to 48 hours. The electrical current may start off as a slight tingling sensation and build to a pulling sensation.
When should you not use electrical stimulation?
Answer
- Electrical Devices. The first red flag is use of a cardiac pacemaker or implanted electrical device.
- Malignant Tissue/Metastases. A second red flag that we want to be aware of is malignant tissue or the presence of metastases.
- Impaired/Absent Sensation.
- Epilepsy/Pregnancy.
- Thrombosis/Hemorrage.
- Cognition.
How many times a day can you use electrotherapy?
Use up to three times per day at a maximum. During each therapy, rate your pain before and after the session, 1 (low) to 10 (high) in order to gauge the true reduction of pain.
Will drinking more water help with edema?
1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn’t hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have.
What helps edema go away?
Lifestyle changes can help treat edema, including elevating the affected limb, exercise, reduced salt intake, and wearing compression socks. Severe edema can be treated with diuretics (medications that help expel excess fluid in urine).
What happens if edema is left untreated?
If left untreated, edema can lead to increasingly painful swelling, stiffness, difficulty walking, stretched or itchy skin, skin ulcers, scarring, and decreased blood circulation.
