TENS – a treatment method for hard-to-heal wounds

A hard-to-heal wound is not an illness in itself but a symptom that can be caused by many different underlying conditions. The most common causes are impaired circulation in the veins or arteries. One in four patients with hard-to-heal leg ulcers has diabetes. For many people the wounds are so painful that they cause sleep problems and a fear of moving. TENS is sometimes used in healthcare as a complement for hard-to-heal wounds – always in consultation with and under the supervision of healthcare staff. TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. In this type of treatment, a stimulator sends impulses via electrodes on the skin around the wound. The idea is that the impulses affect how pain signals are perceived. Try it yourself! Rubbing an area that hurts usually feels good – or, as people have always done, you blow on the sore spot. Rubbing or blowing are other ways of blocking pain impulses. Healthcare research is also looking at whether the impulses can affect circulation around the wound. TENS can also stimulate muscle activity. Always consult a doctor or nurse before using TENS on wounds.

Source: http://www.fysioett.se/kategorier/sarlakning

Patient leaflets – wound healing M1021-6 TENS indication sheet – wound healing (DJO)

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