Electrodes and Tens Machines

Tens unit electrodes and pads are designed to last for 20 to 30 uses. Replacement electrodes for your tens machine come in various shapes and sizes. So you can get electrodes and pads for different parts of the body.

Tens machine electrodes are inexpensive to replace, and gels and fixers can also be purchased cheaply.

Single channel v. dual channel Tens Machines

When choosing a tens machine, it is important to consider the type of pain you are suffering.

A single channel tens machine is suitable for pain relief in small isolated areas, such as your foot, your wrist or your hand.

A dual channel tens machine enables you to relieve pain over a much wider area. So it is suitable for relieving pain in larger parts of your body, such as legs, arms, shoulders, back, and neck.

Precautions to take when using a Tens Machine

You should avoid using tens units if you have any of the previously mentioned medical problems, such as epilepsy. Also you cannot use a tens machine if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator.

You should also use extreme caution when placing the electrodes on your body. The tens machine pads should never be placed on the area of your back or chest which is closest to your heart (your left hand side).

Avoid placing tens unit electrodes on broken or damaged skin, over known tumours, and over the eyes or throat.

Tens machines are electrical items, so you should never use them in or near to water.

A comparison of Tens Machines’ features

Meditens XP: This is a dual channel, general use tens unit. It is simple to use and it has five different pre-set programs, include a pain gate control program, and an endorphin release program.

This small, digital tens machine is hand held. It is also portable, which makes it easy to take with you when you travel.

Elle Tens: This dual channel maternity tens unit is designed to use for labour pains. It is also suitable for post-natal pain relief, so it will be useful after the birth too.

The Elle tens machine has preset programs, and a boost button for pain relief in the later stages of labour. The boost button will give you a burst of pain-relieving power. This is useful when you are experiencing frequent contractions and the pain is more acute.

The labour tens machine also has a belt clip and neck cord, allowing you to stay mobile during labour.

Femme Elite Tens Machine: This tens pain relief machine is perfect if you suffer from period pains and back pain. It is also great for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles after you’ve had a baby. You can even get rid of some of that post baby flab by using it to tone abdominal and thigh muscles.

This digital tens unit is compact and easy to use. It has 4 tens programs, 3 muscle toning programs, and 3 pelvic floor programs.

Points to remember if you are considering a Tens Machine

Tens units are safe to use, and you don’t get the potentially dangerous side effects that are caused by many painkillers.

You should not use tens machines if you suffer from certain medical conditions, or if you have a pacemaker.

Check with your GP first if you’re not sure whether it is safe for you to use a tens pain relief machine.

If you need a labour tens machine, remember to order it several weeks in advance. That way, you get plenty of time to get used to it before the birth. Plus you will already have your tens unit at home, if you go into labour early.