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Is a TENS unit contraindications cancer?

Is a TENS unit contraindications cancer?

(However, TENS can be used for labor pain.) Cancer. Do not apply electrodes to areas of the body where there is known or suspected cancer. Do not use TENS if you have undiagnosed pain and a history of cancer in the last 5 years.

Can I use a TENS unit if I have cancer?

While medication management remains the mainstay for the treatment of cancer pain, medications are often associated with undesired side effects. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) provides a potential adjunctive method for treating cancer pain with minimal side effects.

What are contraindications for using electrical stimulation?

Risks

  • Deep venous thrombosis or thrombophlebitis.
  • Hemorrhagic conditions.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Eyes, anterior neck, carotid sinus, head, reproductive organs.
  • Impaired cognition or communication.
  • Regenerating nerves.
  • Cardiac failure (local)
  • Damaged or at-risk skin (local)

What is the main contraindication for the use of a TENS machine?

It utilizes electrodes placed on the skin and which connect to the unit via wires to address pain in a target region. Pregnancy, epilepsy, and pacemaker are all contraindications for TENS.

Can a TENS unit reduce belly fat?

Surprisingly, without modifying their exercise or diet, the EMS did indeed cause significant effects on decreasing waist circumference, abdominal obesity, subcutaneous fat mass, and body fat percentage, leading the researchers to conclude: “The use of the high-frequency current therapy may be beneficial for reducing …

Can a TENS unit be harmful?

TENS is generally regarded as safe. But it has risks just like any other medical procedure. For example, if the electrical current is too high or the electrodes are placed on the wrong part of the body, it can burn or irritate the skin. The “danger zones” include the brain, heart, eyes, genitals, and throat.

Where shouldn’t you use a TENS unit?

Do not use TENS on:

  • Open wounds or rashes.
  • Swollen, red, infected, or inflamed skin.
  • Cancerous lesions, or close to them.
  • Skin that does not have normal sensation (feeling)
  • Any part of your head or face.
  • Any part of your throat.
  • Both sides of the chest or trunk at the same time.
  • Directly on your backbone.

When should you not use electrical stimulation?

You should avoid electrical stimulation if you have:

  1. A change in tissue sensation.
  2. Impaired mental status.
  3. Presence of an implanted electrical device (the e-stim could interfere with pacemakers or implanted pain stimulators)6.
  4. Malignant tissue.
  5. Wounds that are too moist.

What are the side effects of electrical stimulation?

The most common side effect with electrotherapy is skin irritation or rash, caused by the adhesives in the electrodes or the tape holding the electrodes in place. Overusing electrotherapy may cause a burning feeling in the skin. Directions about the duration of therapy should be followed closely to avoid a problem.

Where should you not put TENS electrodes?

Never place the pads over:

  1. the front or sides of your neck.
  2. your temples.
  3. your mouth or eyes.
  4. your chest and upper back at the same time.
  5. irritated, infected or broken skin.
  6. varicose veins.
  7. numb areas.

Can TENS damage nerves?

Can a TENS unit cause nerve damage? TENS unit is not known to cause any nerve damage. A backfire in the TENS unit might provoke an overreaction in the nerve causing some pain or discomfort, but the nerve itself is unlikely to be damaged.

Where should TENS pads not be placed?

Is there a case for e-stim in cancer patients?

There is actually a case for E-Stim and cancer pain. Cancer patients often have so much anxiety that Cortisol binds to their opiate receptors. This makes traditional opiates less effective.

When to use ultrasound and estim for cancer patients?

There is alot of controversy concerning the use of modalitites (ultrasound, estim, massage) for those patients with either active or a history of cancer in dealing with the referring physicians. We all want to provide the best care for our patients but without compromising safety.

Is there a case for electric stimulation and cancer pain?

And there is little in the way of biological theory that would give us a reason to avoid it. Many contraindications for modalities are just there from tradition and fear – nothing else. There is actually a case for E-Stim and cancer pain.

What happens when a modality is contraindicated for cancer?

If your primary resources say that the modality is contraindicated when a patient has cancer, you are potentially risking your career if you just go ahead and do it. One option here would be having a patient sign a consent form indicating that despite the risks and known statements of contraindication, he/she wishes the treatment to continue.