If you suffer from the pain of sciatica, you may be wondering if a TENS unit can be used for sciatica pain relief. The answer is yes. TENS units can relieve sciatica pain—even the radiating, shooting, and often-times debilitating pain. It is a safe, non-addictive pain relief alternative that could help you increase mobility and reduce discomfort.
If you suffer from sciatica pain, you know exactly how uncomfortable it can be. The radiating pain can feel hot or throbbing. The discomfort can spread through your back, buttocks, legs, feet, and ankles.
Read more: Massage Gun for Sciatica
However, there is no reason to continue to suffer. Using a TENS unit for sciatica pain offers relief that is safe, non-addictive, and potentially more effective than traditional remedies. You can also use this therapy at home or on the go. It is available anytime you need it.
Zarifa's cutting-edge TENS Units
Zarifa has built the most technologically advanced wearable massagers on the market: The TENS PRO V and TENS PRO VI. These wearable massage machines are equipped with both TENS and EMS technology. This dual technology is revolutionary. It can help you recover and heal without turning to harmful and addictive prescription medications.
The TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) technology transmits a low-voltage electrical current to interrupt and block nerve signals before they get to your brain.
The EMS (Electronic Muscle Stimulation) technology provides the type of stimulation you expect from a massager and reduces muscle spasms while increasing blood circulation, breaking up lactic acid, stimulating muscle fiber, and re-educating your muscles.
You can find separate TENS units and EMS units. However, pairing these technologies together delivers superior medical benefits. Combined, they can help you through rehabilitation so you can recover faster. For chronic pain sufferers, having one unit simplifies life and makes finding relief more enjoyable.
What is sciatica pain?
The sciatic nerve extends from the back down the legs. When it becomes inflamed or impacted, pain radiates from the area around the nerve. Sciatica is a condition in which pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve. This pressure then causes pain down the back and into the legs and ankles.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica can be caused by several conditions including a herniated disc or stenosis. Herniated discs protrude out from the vertebrae in the back. The tough, fibrous material in the disc pushes against the sciatic nerve. This pressure causes shooting pain in the buttocks and down the legs.
When discs bulge, they create pressure on the sciatic nerve, which in turn causes sciatic nerve pain.
What else can be done to relieve sciatica pain?
Sciatica pain can be quite difficult to relieve. This type of pain is very unpleasant, and it is typically chronic. If a herniated disc is causing sciatica pain, exercise or even everyday activity can intensify the pain. In these cases, minimizing activity can reduce flare-ups.
Physical therapy could also help strengthen the back muscles, which may limit disc inflammation. It is critical to consult your doctor and physical therapist about a therapy routine for sciatica.
Something as simple as sitting can also aggravate a herniated disc. Avoid sitting for long periods. When you do need to sit, make sure to get up and walk around every half hour or more, if possible. Sitting places pressure on the discs in the back, which then further aggravates the sciatica condition.
How can a TENS unit relieve sciatica pain?
TENS units send low-voltage electrical pulses to your skin. This pulse does two things. First, it moves across your skin, the machine stimulates your nerves. This causes the production of endorphins, a natural pain killer your body produces. Second, it can also confuse, misdirect, or even block pain signals from entering your nervous system.
When the TENS unit sends these electrical pulses through your body, it can reduce the pain you are feeling from sciatica, giving you relief from the discomfort.
Using a TENS unit for sciatica pain relief
Using a TENS machine for sciatica is straightforward. It’s like how you would use it for many other types of pain. To start the TENS therapy, you’ll have to apply oxygen sensor pads (which come with your portable TENS unit) to your body. These pads are small and light. They easily fit under your clothes for full discretion. Our proprietary oxygen pads combine with silver circuits that deliver precise and controlled high-powered neurostimulation.
You have a lot of options when it comes to deciding which pain therapy you’d like to enjoy. The PRO V has 12 pain therapy options, and the PRO VI has 18 pain therapy options. These include the following:
- Cupping
- Tapping
- Scraping
- Kneading
- Acupuncture
- Thai Massage
- Foot Massage
- Relax Massage
- Sport Massage
- Hand Massage
- Combo Massage
- Korean Massage
- Shiatsu Massage
- Swedish Massage
Adjust the unit until you feel pain relief. It may take several tries with different settings until you find the right frequency to ease your specific pain. Positioning the oxygen pads properly on specific areas of your lower back can better ease the pain.
Where do you place electrodes to relieve sciatica pain?
The oxygen pad placement is critical when using TENS therapy to relieve sciatica pain. For best results, position them on your lower back near the specific area of pain. Adjust the settings as necessary and move the oxygen pads around to achieve the most relief from your pain. You should begin to feel relief almost immediately after you have achieved the right settings and pad placement.
Zarifa’s wearable TENS units are safe to use for all-day pain relief. With their sleek designs, you can easily slip both the TENS PRO V and TENS PRO VI into your pocket, purse, or belt loop. You can get drug-free pain relief all day and night.
Zarifa has made the best portable TENS unit on the market. You’ll notice a difference in how your body and mind feel when you use a Zarifa massager equipped with TENS and EMS technology.
All Zarifa USA products are HSA and FSA eligible. This means you can contribute your health savings funds towards the purchase of any of our products!
