Mar 10 2011
Try a TENS Unit for Arthritis Pain, Insomnia
Whether or not you have insomnia caused by arthritis or some other form of chronic pain depends in many respects on the kind of symptoms you have. Almost everyone has difficulty falling asleep at some point in his or her life, but if your difficulties show signs of becoming chronic, it may be time to talk to a doctor. An inability to sleep soundly through the night because of tossing and turning may be another symptom. Finally, some arthritis suffers may sleep relatively soundly, but wake up too early and are unable to fall back into sleep.
Pain isnt necessarily the only contributor to insomnia in people with arthritis. Stress can play a role, too. Some people are unable to sleep because of concerns about a doctors appointment scheduled for the next morning. Difficulty sleeping can also be the result of meds used to treat arthritis. Here, too, the cycle of dependency can be vicious. While medications may ease pain, they sometimes rob of us sleep. Cutting back on medication in favor of sleep can lead to a level of pain that makes it difficult to sleep, thus defeating our purpose.
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator, or tens unit, is an alternative to prescription medication that has helped many with arthritis find relief for their pain. A TENS unit is one of several kinds of electrotherapy devices that use very small doses of electric current to promote natural pain relief.
The TENS machine itself is a small electronic device that delivers current through electrodes placed on the skin. Unlike systemic drugs, which affect the entire body, electrotherapy targets pain exactly where it occurs. A modern TENS unit is easy to use and compact enough to provide quick and dependable pain relief at work, home or play.
While TENS is used to mask or hide pain on a superficial level, another kind of electrical stimulation device is thought to work on a more cellular level. The microcurrent produced by a mens unit – MENS is an acronym for Microcurrent Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulator – more closely approaches the strength of our own bodys electrical current. The direct flow of this electrical current through the body is thought to be a major contributor to health and well-being and in theory it is this electrical balance that is disrupted by an injury.
A TENS or MENS unit may be a drug-free option for treating the chornic pain and insomnnia of arthritis. Medical devices like these do require a prescription, so ask your doctor if electrotherapy may be right for you.
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