Does a TENS unit trump LED light therapy for pain relief?
Does a TENS unit trump LED light therapy for pain relief?
Before answering that question, it will help if you understand a little about the technology for light therapy and TENS.
What is light therapy?
Light therapy for pain relief uses high-intensity light sources such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) to deliver therapeutic strength light. The therapeutic lights can be embedded in a pad or other product. LED light therapy has been cleared by the FDA for pain relief and improving circulation. Therapeutic light therapy devices typically emit or shine:
- One or more colors
- For example mixtures such as red and infrared or blue and red
- May be delivered as pulses of light as opposed to continuous light
An LED light therapy treatment usually lasts from 20 to 30 minutes and initially may need to be repeated three or more times a week for 3-5 weeks. After pain relief is achieved, maintenance may be achieved with one or two treatments a week. Light therapy treatments can be given at home if the patient purchases a home unit.
What is a TENS unit?
TENS is the acronym for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It refers to a device that delivers electricity to the body using electrodes. The mini-doses of electricity block pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. The sensation from a TENS unit is not unpleasant. However, many TENS users must wear the cell-phone-size device under their clothes in order to activate it as necessary throughout the day to maintain pain relief. IS THIS TRUE? A typical patient that uses a TENS unit activates the unit several times a day.
What type of pain is LED light therapy used to treat?
Light therapy has been used successfully to treat pain caused by or located in:
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Diabetic ulcers
- Chemotherapy and radiation peripheral neuropathy
- Wound healing (especially in diabetes patients)
- Sports injuries
- Myofascial injury
- Osteoarthritis
- Joint inflammation
- Fibromyalgia
- Low back
- Neck
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
What type of pain is TENS used to treat?
TENS has been used successfully to treat pain from illnesses and conditions or in loctions such as:
- Osteoarthritis
- Joints
- Fibromyalgia
- Low back
- Neck
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
What’s the bottom line?
LED light therapy relieves pain by increasing circulation and delivering more blood and nutrients to the site of the pain. The light therapy helps the body to heal from the damage that is causing the pain. While light therapy may not cure the condition that is causing the pain, it can help manage the condition and reduce the pain. And, since it increases circulation to the damaged part of the body, it can help the body to resolve the condition.
TENS therapy uses electricity to create a barrier that masks the pain. It prevents the pain signal from getting to the brain. A TENS unit may not help the body heal from the illness or condition causing the pain.
It is ultimately up to the patient to decide whether TENS or LED light therapy is most beneficial for their unique situation. However, it is possible to use both a TENS unit for immediate blocking of pain signals and light therapy to allow the body to begin the healing process.
Explore LED light therapy
Reputable light therapy manufacturers recommend that you try it before purchasing one for home use. To find a clinic or professional that uses LED light therapy, click here.
Click here to read about how light therapy can be used to reduce pain for better results from physical therapy.