Electrical Nerve Stimulation Flashcards, test questions and answers

Discover flashcards, test exam answers, and assignments to help you learn more about Electrical Nerve Stimulation and other subjects. Don’t miss the chance to use them for more effective college education. Use our database of questions and answers on Electrical Nerve Stimulation and get quick solutions for your test.

What is Electrical Nerve Stimulation?

Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ENS) is a medical procedure that applies electrical current to the nerves to reduce or eliminate pain. This type of therapy has been used for many years, often as an alternative to surgery and other invasive treatments. It can be used on its own or in combination with other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy and medication.ENS works by targeting specific areas of the body where pain occurs. The electrical current stimulates the nerve endings in these areas, resulting in a reduction in both pain intensity and duration. It also helps promote muscle relaxation and increased circulation throughout the area being treated, which further reduces discomfort. In addition, it may help speed up healing time after an injury or surgery by increasing blood flow to affected tissues.The most common type of ENS is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This involves applying electrodes directly onto the skin overlying painful areas using adhesive pads connected to a small device called a TENS unit. As the TENS unit sends out low-voltage currents across these electrodes, it stimulates nerve fibers underneath causing them to send signals back into the brain that block out any sensations associated with pain from reaching consciousness level awareness. The stimulation can be adjusted based on patient comfort levels; however, it should not exceed levels that are considered safe for extended use over time (i.e., no more than 20 minutes at a time). Other forms of ENS include percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), direct current stimulation (DCS), spinal cord stimulation (SCS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Each type has different applications depending on its intended purpose some may be more suitable for certain types of chronic pain while others are better suited for acute pain relief or management of neuropathic disorders like fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis. Overall, ENS is considered safe when used properly and under appropriate medical supervision; however there have been reports of adverse side effects such as skin irritation at electrode sites and occasionally mild headaches during treatment sessions due to increased sensory input being sent into the brain from affected nerves being stimulated by electricity currents. Despite this risk factor though, studies have shown that it can be beneficial in providing long-term relief from various types of chronic pains including lower back pains and neck/shoulder aches among many others conditions related to musculoskeletal dysfunction.