Relieve Pain Naturally with OMRON TENS
What is Pain?
Pain is the body’s way of communicating to you a problem. It brings immediate attention to parts of your body where the sensation is felt. However, pain is also an awful emotional and physical experience. It has a long list of causes and is experienced in varying degrees in different individuals.
Prevalence of Pain in Singapore
Pain is a widespread issue in Singapore, affecting individuals of all ages. Conditions such as office syndrome, back pain, and menstrual cramps are common due to sedentary lifestyles, work-related stress, and physiological factors. Effective pain management is essential to improve quality of life and prevent long-term complications. Research indicates that 8.7% of Singapore's population experiences chronic pain (pain of at least 3 months' duration over the last 6 months), with higher prevalence among females (10.9%) and increasing age. [2] Another study found that 19.5% of individuals aged 60 and above in Singapore experienced pain in the past month. [3]
How to manage your pain effectively?
While pain medicine has been widely prescribed and consumed, these drugs may have side effects [4] when consumed regularly over a long period. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin may cause bleeding in the stomach when consumed for a long time. Other common NSAIDs like Ibuprofen and Naproxen can also damage the stomach and kidney if consumed regularly over a long period [5].
Other methods that may help relieve pain without medication relatively fast include invasive methods like acupuncture, or non-invasive methods like Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS).
TENS is a targeted drug-free non-invasive therapy designed to reduce and relieve muscle or joint pain. A TENS [6] machine usually comes in the form of a compact, battery-operated device that connects to gel pads. The gel pads are placed near the site of the pain (not directly on the pain area) and delivers gentle massage-like pulses to the body when the device is switched on.
TENS offers a targeted drug-free solution to relieve muscle & joint pain. TENS has been used since 1974, and is a pain therapy offered by various healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists and pain specialists today [7].
How do OMRON TENS devices relieve pain?
With technology from Japan, OMRON offers home based pain management solutions with its TENS range - compact, portable TENS devices for targeted pain relief. It is highly customizable, featuring intensity levels up to 20 and 9 therapy modes for different body areas as well as massage stimulation modes like tap, knead & rub. The OMRON’s TENS devices engage triple action to relieve your pain including:
- Stimulate your nerves and blocks pain signals to the brain
- Activates the release of endorphins into your body (=natural pain killers)
- Contracts and relaxes the muscles to help improve blood circulation and loosen tight muscles
OMRON also has its TENS pads undergo rigorous development to ensure extended usage which can be reused up to 150 times for Omron TENS HV-F013. It also has dual therapy with its Nerve Stimulator HV-F311 which integrates soothing heat and TENS technology. The heat warms and relaxes the muscles for soothing relief while improving blood circulation.
Here are some applications from OMRON TENS users:
- Shoulder tightness
- Sports recovery from sore muscles
- Period cramps
- General relaxation before sleep
How effective is TENS?
Some research and clinical trials have found TENS successful in reducing the pain caused by varying conditions [8]. Those who used TENS on top of their existing therapy sessions and medicine found a significant drop in pain levels and lesser need to consume pain relief medication [9]. However, TENS should be used in moderation as excessive use could cause adverse effects on the body.
Finding the pain relief that works for you
OMRON TENS devices provide a safe, non-invasive solution for managing both acute and chronic pain. With options like dual therapy of heat and TENS in the HV-F311 and the ultra-portable HV-F013 to bring out for work or travel, OMRON TENS devices offer tailored pain relief for diverse needs.
Content and information in this article are provided by OMRON and are for informational purposes only. For any doubts, please consult a healthcare professional.
Reference Materials:
- WebMD. Do I Have Chronic Pain? Available from: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/understanding-pain-management-chronic-pain Accessed December 20, 2024
- PubMed. Pain prevalence in Singapore. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19956814/ Accessed December 20, 2024
- PubMed Central. Prevalence and Correlates of Pain in People Aged 60 Years and above in Singapore: Results from the WiSE Study. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4921630/ Accessed December 20, 2024.
- Very well Health. NSAIDs for Chronic Pain: Risks of Long-Term Use. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/nsaids-for-chronic-pain-2564481 Accessed December 30, 2024
- National Kidney Foundation. Pain Medicines (Analgesics). Available from: https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/pain-medicines-analgesics Accessed December 30, 2024
- National Library of Medicine. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537188/ Accessed December 30, 2024
- PubMed Central. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: Mechanisms, Clinical Application and Evidence. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4589923/ Accessed December 30, 2024
- National Library of Medicine. Effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Hyperalgesia and Pain. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2746624/ Accessed December 30, 2024
- National Library of Medicine. Immediate Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain and Physical Performance in Individuals with Preradiographic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003999318313728 Accessed December 30, 2024
