NEW GUIDELINE FOR USING A TENS UNIT FOR LOWER BACK PAIN

Should you use a TENS unit for chronic low back pain? The American Academy of Neurology says no. A new guideline issued by the American Academy of Neurology finds that transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) is not recommended to treat chronic low-back pain that has persisted for three months or longer because research shows it is not effective.

A TENS unit is a portable, pocket-sized unit that applies a mild electrical current to the nerves through electrodes. Many people injured in car accidents, slip and falls, work injuries and other injuries have been using TENS units for pain relief for years. Researchers do not know how TENS may provide relief for pain. One theory is that nerves can only carry one signal at a time. The TENS stimulation may confuse the brain and block the real pain signal from getting through.

According to MedicalNewsToday.com, research on TENS for chronic low-back pain has produced conflicting results. For the guideline, the authors reviewed all of the evidence for low-back pain lasting three months or longer. It is important to note that acute low-back pain was not studied.
 
"The strongest evidence showed that there is no benefit for people using TENS for chronic low-back pain," said guideline author Richard M. Dubinsky, MD, MPH, of Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "Doctors should use clinical judgment regarding TENS use for chronic low-back pain. People who are currently using TENS for their low-back pain should discuss these findings with their doctors."

Back pain both acute and chronic is the second most common neurological ailment in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and is the most common cause of job-related disability. It is important to note that this new guideline does not discuss the use of a TENS unit shortly after a car accident or workers' compensation claim.

If you or a loved one is using a TENS unit for chronic low-back pain, talk to your doctor. You own doctor knows what may work for you rather than controlled studies. Rely on your doctor and follow his or her advice.

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