How to Use a TENS Unit for Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief

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Sciatic pain or sciatica is pain that radiates down the sciatic nerve. A TENS unit can be a good way to help relieve this pain.

It’s important to know where the sciatic nerve pain is originating from for the best treatment.

When the sciatic nerve is pressed, you might feel pain, numbness, tingling, shooting, or sharp pain. The nerve can get compressed at the spine or at the piriformis muscle. When it’s getting compressed at the spine, it can be from a herniated disc, stenosis, bone spurs, or degeneration. Once you know where the pain is originating from it is easier to target treatment areas.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be a good way to help relieve sciatic pain so stretches and exercises can be done that are needed to help the healing process. When TENS is used at the spine, it’s best to not feel any muscle contractions.

Wireless TENS units are a great option for the back and spine area because you don’t have to worry about getting the cords tangled. The iReliev TENS / EMS wireless unit is not only wireless, but it also has 14 different modes to help you get the best option for pain relief. Their large pads also make it easy to place over a larger area, like your back, to get the best coverage.

TENS units have channels (usually one or two), each channel controls two electrodes. With a wireless unit, often the channel has one larger electrode for easier placement. If you are using a wired TENS unit, you want each channel to cross in an X pattern to get the best coverage.

Other Ask Doctor Jo Videos:

iReliev Wireless TENS / EMS Therapeutic Wearable System Review

How to Use a Percussion Massager for Shoulder & Neck Pain Relief

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