Electricity is used in many areas of medicine. Most of the time it is used to power medical equipment, but a newer trend is to use electrical currents to treat pain. From old techniques to new ones, electricity is being used more and more as an alternative to treat many pain conditions. Below is a look at how electricity is being used.
TENs
A TENs unit is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This technique uses a small battery powered pack to transmit an electrical signal between skin patches. Usually two or four patches are used and a variety of electrical signals can be programmed. The patches are placed around the painful area, often the neck, shoulders, or low back and the signals are used to block the transmission of pain sensation. Pain related to tight muscles and sometimes spine pain can be effectively managed with TENs unit. Computer chips and miniaturization has allowed a small battery pack to deliver a wide variety of electrical signals superficially to block pain.
Cefaly
This is a trade name device for cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of the head for migraines. It is a headband type device that is battery powered and available by prescription only. It has been approved by the FDA. The device is supposed to generate a small current that will stimulate the trigeminal nerve peripherally. The unit runs for 20 minutes and stops automatically. Trials over in Europe indicated that the frequency and intensity of migraines were reduced by using this device.
Alpha-Stim Aid
This is another prescription cranial electrical stimulation device. This device has electrodes that attach to the earlobes and it passes a low level current between them. Apparently studies have shown the device to help decrease pain, improve moods and sleep quality. The device is used at night and the low level currents affect the brain’s normal electrical signals, and according to the manufacturer, studies have shown reduction in pain, anxiety and improved sleep after only five treatments.
Spring TMS
This is a transcutaneous magnetic stimulator used by prescription to treat migraine headaches. At the onset of a migraine headache, the magnet stimulator is placed on the back of the head, at the top of the neck. When turned on the unit delivers short magnet pulses to the back of the head, to the occiput region of the cortex. Within 2 hours, this affects the electrical activity in the brain and in about 38% of those treated, the migraine is gone.