Hi-Dow Electron Technology Co. Ltd. HD-5N-TX User Manual
2
INTRODUCTION TO TENS
EXPLANATION OF PAIN
Pain is a warning system and the body’s method of telling us that something is wrong. Pain is
important; without it abnormal conditions may go undetected, causing damage or injury to vital parts
of our bodies.
Even though pain is a necessary warning signal of trauma or malfunction in the body, nature may
have gone too far in its design. Aside from its value in diagnosis, long-lasting persistent pain serves
no useful purpose. Pain does not begin until coded message travels to the brain where it is decoded,
analyzed, and then reacted to. The pain message travels from the injured area along the small nerves
leading to the spinal cord. Here the message is switched to different nerves that travel up the spinal
cord to the brain. The pain message is then interpreted, referred back and the pain is felt.
EXPLANATION OF TENS
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a non-invasive, drug-free method of controlling pain.
TENS uses tiny electrical impulses sent through the skin to nerves to modify your pain perception.
TENS does not cure any physiological problem; it only helps control the pain. TENS does not work
for everyone; however, in most patients it is effective in reducing or eliminating the pain, allowing for
a return to normal activity.
HOW TENS WORKS
There is nothing “magic” about Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). TENS is
intended to be used to relieve pain. The TENS unit sends comfortable impulses through the skin that
stimulate the nerve (or nerves) in the treatment area. In many cases, this stimulation will greatly
reduce or eliminate the pain sensation the patient feels. Pain relief varies by individual patient, mode
selected for therapy, and the type of pain. In many patients, the reduction or elimination of pain lasts
longer than the actual period of stimulation (sometimes as much as three to four times longer). In
others, pain is only modified while stimulation actually occurs. You may discuss this with your
physician or therapist.
EXPLANATION OF EMS
Electrical Muscle Stimulation is an internationally accepted and proven way of treating muscular
injuries. It works by sending electronic pulses to the muscle needing treatment; this causes the
muscle to exercise passively to promote healing.
It is a product derived from the square waveform, originally invented by John Faraday in 1831.
Through the square wave pattern it is able to work directly on muscle motor neurons. EMS has low
frequency and this in conjunction with the square wave pattern allows direct work on muscle
groupings. This is being widely used in hospitals and sports clinics for the treatment of muscular
injuries and for the re-education of paralyzed muscles, to prevent atrophy in affected muscles and
improving muscle tone and blood circulation.
HOW EMS WORKS
EMS is intended to be used to increase blood circulation, loosen tight and knotted muscles,
stimulate muscle growth and also reduces stiffness in muscle joints. The EMS units send
comfortable impulses through the skin that stimulate the nerves in the treatment area. When the
muscle receives this signal it contracts as if the brain has sent the signal itself. As the signal
strength increases, the muscle flexes as in physical exercise. Then when the pulse ceases, the
muscle relaxes and the cycle starts over again, in a cycle of Stimulation, Contraction and Relaxation.
EMS is intended to be used to increase blood circulation, loosen tight and knotted muscles,
stimulate muscle growth and also reduces stiffness in muscle joints. The EMS units send
comfortable impulses through the skin that stimulate the nerves in the treatment area. When the
muscle receives this signal it contracts as if the brain has sent the signal itself. As the signal
strength increases, the muscle flexes as in physical exercise. Then when the pulse ceases, the
muscle relaxes and the cycle starts over again, in a cycle of Stimulation, Contraction and Relaxation.