What is Sciatica?
One of the most common questions we receive on a daily basis is if electrical stimulation can serve those suffering from sciatica. And the answer is absolutely.
Sciatica is often described as a pinched nerve (called the sciatic nerve) along the spinal column, but in reality it has more complications than just any pinched nerve. It usually occurs due to a herniated disk or a bone overgrowth.
The Solution
The good news is that there is a non-invasive and drug free way to relieve the pain associated with this! TENS (also known as e-stim) units specialize in blocking pain receptors in the brain by sending out electric waves that increase the body's production of endorphins- natural pain relief chemicals that occur naturally in the body.
Another way in which a TENS Unit can help the sciatic nerve is by encouraging circulation in the applied area. This is important because the increase of blood flow around the sciatic nerve can significantly reduce flare-ups and help maintain a healthy nerve system.
Pad Placement Recommendations
For the most efficient pain relief, the electrode pads should be placed around the point of injury. This might take a couple of tries, and you'll know you reaches the correct position because the relief is almost immediate.
In addition to electrical stimulation, there are many other ways to supplement your TENS Unit for optimal recovery. These ways include physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments and simply staying active to promote blood flow in the area of injury.
We recommend the Verve TENS Unit due to it's wide range of strength levels to fit your specific needs. It has 2 channels and 4 electrode pads, which allows the user to only affect the area that needs to be treated. Each channel's intensity can be controlled separately. With 12 programs and an adjustable timer, the unit allows you to customize the length of your session for the best results. Click the link above or visit massagetherapyconcepts.com to learn more.
Happy Healing!