| Jack Sandweiss 2005-04-25, 8:49 am |
| I'm curious. What do you mean by "shut down"? Is this the same as
habituation? Why wouldn't overstimulation result in sensitization (or
increased sensitivity), or can this be avoided by using correct voltage and
frequency settings in the TENS unit? Sensitization is sometimes discussed
as a factor in chronic pain. It would seem to me, that adding stimulation to
nerve fibers that are already transmitting pain impulses would be extremely
painful, at least while the unit was being used.
IF severe chronic pain is reflective of overstimulation of pain fibers, why
doesn't chronic pain go away on its own? Of course, if I knew that answer,
we wouldn't be having this discussion.
Then again, chronic pain may not be due to hyperexcited nerve fibers.
I've always been somewhat amazed at the success that some have with TENS,
and I've yet to hear a good explanation of "exactly" how it provides
relief. But, I will never argue with empiricism. Relief is relief.
Jack
Bob McConnell <rmcconne@NOSPAM.lightlink.com> wrote in message
news:spqg611g39ep3c6sik4vln9eg1tg7i8p0m@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 20 Apr 2005 18:41:10 -0700, "Jack Sandweiss"
> <sandweiss@dslextreme.com> wrote:
>
Doc's[vbcol=seagreen]
>
> One of the effects of the TENS unit is to over-stimulate a bundle of
> nerves so that it essentially shuts down from the overload. Since the
> pain sensors are the most sensitive, they shut down first. So the goal
> is to tune the device so it kills the pain but doesn't affect motor
> controls.
>
> Bob McConnell
> N2SPP
>
|