It’s the things we use every day that need the most attention. Our hands and wrists are our number one tools. Many people rely on the strength of their hands for their job. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that carpal tunnel syndrome affects more than three million people in America each year. While there are many possible treatments, TENS Unit electrotherapy combats carpal tunnel syndrome in a safe and drug-free way.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel

The carpal tunnel is a small space in the wrist through which the median nerve passes. The median nerve controls the feeling and movement in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger. Various causes can put pressure on the carpal tunnel, making it smaller. This, in turn, puts pressure on the median nerve. This pressure causes pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the hand and fingers. This is the main side effect of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Pressure on the carpal tunnel can be caused by several things. Illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or hyperthyroidism may cause swelling. Pregnancy can also cause swelling and lead to temporary carpal tunnel syndrome. Another big cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is repetitive movements in the hand and wrist. Repetitive movements in the hand and wrist can lead to a Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and turn into carpal tunnel syndrome. Many people who use their hands every day for work are in danger of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Treatment of Carpal Tunnel

There are several ways to treat carpal tunnel. With care and patience, pain can be diminished. Icing the wrist brings relief. Many people also choose to wear a splint whenever they can to help take the pressure off of the carpal tunnel and the median nerve. Allowing the hands to rest between activities when possible will also help.

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) Units are gaining popularity as a way to treat this pain as well. TENS Unit combats carpal tunnel by preventing the pain signals from reaching the brain. It does this by sending gentle electrical impulses to the nerve endings through electrode pads. These impulses produce a massage-like, tingling sensation that replaces the pain. This electrotherapy treatment works wherever the electrode pads are placed.

TENS Unit Combats Carpal Tunnel

In addition to blocking pain signals, TENS Unit combats carpal tunnel syndrome by releasing endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural painkiller. Endorphins can be extremely effective when treating pain. For the best result, TENS Unit should be used at the onset of carpal tunnel pain. Drug-free and non-invasive, TENS Unit can be used as often as needed.

Thanks to its increasing popularity, home-use TENS Units are now readily available. They are easy and safe to use throughout the day. iReliev offers a unit that has two channels with four pads. This combination offers several different treatment options. For minor to medium carpal tunnel pain, place one pad on the palm and one pad on the inner wrist. For more extreme cases, you can also place one pad on the back of the hand and one on the back of the wrist. However, because the wrists and hands can be very sensitive, it is recommended to start with two. iReliev’s TENS Unit comes with multiple intensity settings and pre-programmed massage modes. Start at the lowest intensity and work your way up until you find what works best for you.