Ever wondered how a TENS unit can help with tennis elbow? For those dealing with the relentless pain of tennis elbow, finding effective relief can be a lifesaver. Using a TENS unit for tennis elbow pain relief is a non-invasive option that’s gaining popularity. Studies, like the TATE trial, show that TENS might be a suitable intervention for managing this condition.
Tennis elbow, a common and painful condition, can significantly affect your daily routine. Traditional treatments like rest and medication often take time to show results. That’s where a TENS unit comes in, offering a quicker alternative. Research indicates that adding TENS to usual care might not only provide pain relief but also reduce healthcare costs, a win-win situation for users (economic evaluation).
Looking for the best TENS unit for your tennis elbow pain? The market offers several options, but devices like the Omron Max Power Relief TENS unit stand out. With customizable settings and easy-to-use controls, it’s an ideal choice to help you get back to your game faster and with less pain.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, medically known as lateral epicondylitis, involves pain and inflammation around the outside of your elbow. It’s often caused by repetitive stress and overuse of the forearm muscles.
Causes of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is usually caused by activities that overwork the muscles and tendons of your forearm, leading to tears and inflammation. Common activities include playing tennis or other racquet sports, carpentry, painting, typing, or any repetitive wrist and arm movements. These actions put stress on the tendons that attach to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow, known as the lateral epicondyle.
Sometimes, even using tools like screwdrivers or cooking utensils can cause it. Age and occupation also play a role. People aged 30 to 50 are more likely to develop it, especially if their jobs involve repetitive arm and wrist movements.
Symptoms of Lateral Epicondylitis
The main symptom of tennis elbow is pain and tenderness around the lateral epicondyle, the bony bump on the outside of your elbow. This pain may extend down the forearm and worsen with activities such as gripping, lifting, or twisting the forearm.
Other symptoms can include a weak grip, stiffness in the elbow, and pain when lifting objects or shaking hands. The pain usually starts gradually and may worsen over weeks or months. It can become severe enough to interfere with basic daily activities like holding a cup or turning a doorknob.
How TENS Can Help
Using a TENS Unit can be a great way to manage elbow pain from tennis elbow. This device works by sending electrical impulses through electrodes placed on your skin. These impulses help reduce discomfort by blocking pain signals.
A TENS Machine is simple to use. You place adhesive pad electrodes around the area where you feel pain. Once you turn on the device, it sends small electrical pulses to stimulate your nerves.
Benefits
- Pain Relief: The stimulation from the TENS unit can release endorphins, your body’s natural painkiller.
- Improved Blood Circulation: Electrical impulses can increase blood flow, helping your body to heal.
- Non-invasive Therapy: It’s safe and doesn’t involve medications or surgery.
Our Experts’ Picks: Best TENS Units for Tennis Elbow Relief
If you’re struggling with tennis elbow, a TENS unit can offer great relief. Check out our list of the best TENS units to help ease your pain and speed up your recovery.
HealthmateForever TENS Unit
- Buttons are clearly labelled with words like "Neck", "Shoulder","Back", "Elbow", "Hip", "Ankle","Knee", "Foot/Hand", "Wrist",not "Pulse-Width", or "Waveform." The large LCD display with new featured backlight shows you at a glance exactly what you need for your targeted area, including the type of massage"Knead, Acu (Acupuncture), Tap, Cupping, Scraping (Gusha),Random" and the time left on the cycle.
- New Features: 15 modes, easy to select the right button to help pain relief, belt clip makes it portable. High Intensity - 4 outputs can output the same 20 levels of intensity, no matter you use 1 output or 4 outputs at the same time without dividing the strength by 8 pads.
- Effective - 9 Auto Stimulation Programs, Fully-adjustable Speed & Intensity, 6 Selectable Massage Settings, High-Frequency Pulses to Provide Pain Relief. -THE PACKAGE INCLUDES: 1 control unit; 4 sets of dual leads wires; 4 pair of inserted pin electrode pads (8 pcs pads); 1 pads holder 3 AAA batteries; 1 Application placement chart; 1 User Manual
| Pros: | Cons: |
Easy-to-read display and clear button labels Portable with a belt clip Customizable intensity and massage settings | May cause skin irritation for some users Requires AAA batteries for power Needs physician consultation for certain conditions |
The HealthmateForever TENS Unit stands out with its clearly labeled buttons. This makes it user-friendly, allowing you to target specific areas such as the elbow easily. The large LCD display with a backlight shows the settings and remaining time.
One of the best features is its portability. With a belt clip, you can carry it around without any hassle. Plus, the unit has 15 different modes and customizable settings for speed and intensity, which gives you flexibility in treatment.
It’s worth noting that some users might experience skin irritation from the electrical stimulation. Also, since the device runs on AAA batteries, you’ll have to keep spare ones on hand. For those with certain health conditions, it’s crucial to consult a doctor before using this device.
If you’re looking for a versatile and portable TENS unit with customizable options, this option might be perfect for you.
AUVON TENS Unit
- Professional TENS Machine: The AUVON Electric Massager can excite and stimulate the sensory nerves and muscles, activate the specific natural pain gate mechanism, relax your body and have pain management anytime you feel the need with our medical grade TENS electrotherapy pulse massager and accessories
- TENS Pads with Upgrade Gel: The low-impedance solid gel has been upgraded to the industry-leading adhesive, which can provide premium self-stick performance and easy clean-up after 45 uses for a longer lifespan. You may also find it quite easy to find compatible electrodes (2mm pigtail TENS Unit pads) on the market for you to choose from
- Upgrade 24 Choices for Pain Relief: The AUVON electronic TENS device has as many as 24 user-friendly pre-programmed massage modes and adjustable timing, making it much easier to use than other traditional electric therapy products, which may require you to set the pulse frequency and duration of each pulse manually (the 24 sub-mode choices are under the 6 massage modes)
| Pros: | Cons: |
Wide range of stimulation modes Long-lasting battery life Easy-to-find replacement pads | Small size can be hard to handle Limited number of electrode pads provided Requires frequent cleaning of pads for optimal use |
The AUVON TENS Unit offers a professional-grade solution to manage pain from tennis elbow. Its 24 massage modes are easy to navigate, making it less complicated for users who are new to TENS machines. The unit stimulates sensory nerves and muscles to provide relief.
One standout feature is its rechargeable lithium battery. With up to 10 hours of continuous use, you won’t need to constantly worry about replacing batteries. This is perfect for those who need longer pain relief sessions without interruption.
This device includes upgraded gel pads, which provide better stickiness and can last up to 45 uses. However, you’ll need to clean them often to maintain their stickiness, and you may find the unit’s compact size a bit tricky to handle. Even though only 8 electrode pads are supplied, finding compatible replacements is easy. These features make it an excellent tool for anyone dealing with tennis elbow.
MEDVICE TENS Unit
- PROFESSIONAL PAIN RELIEVER TENS UNIT - Clinically-proven, natural and effective tens device for easing pain without requiring the user to take medicine for problem areas such as the back, joints, neck, knees, shoulders, ankles, legs, wrists, and elbows. Enjoy relaxing massages with a FDA cleared tens machine.
- UPGRADED TENS UNIT PADS - The Low impedance Solid Gel has been upgraded to the industry leading Japanese adhesive, which can provide much better self-stick performance and easy clean up and longer lifespan. Standard snap connector lead wires & electrodes are classic and commonly used in medical area, which makes it easier for you to find compatible accessories.
- 16 PRE-PROGRAMMED MODES/INTENSITY ADJUSTMENT Our versatile muscle stimulator tens unit delivers 16 different massage modes and 20 strength levels. The ems unit modes range from Shiatsu/Deep Tissue to Low Intensity with Kneading/Knocking, Cupping, Acupuncture, and Tapping as other options.
| Pros: | Cons: |
16 different massage modes Rechargeable battery Portable design | Pads might lose stickiness over time Some settings may feel too intense Limited battery life |
This MEDVICE TENS Unit features 16 pre-programmed modes, giving you plenty of options to find the right one for your pain. Whether you need a deep tissue massage or something gentler, this device has you covered.
Its upgraded low impedance pads offer better self-stick performance and last longer, making it easy to maintain. The unit is also rechargeable, eliminating the need to constantly buy new batteries. You’ll appreciate the convenience of a portable design that includes a carrying bag for easy use on the go.
One potential downside is that the adhesive on the pads may wear out over time. Some users have also reported that certain settings can feel too intense, especially for beginners. Additionally, while the battery life is decent, it might not last as long as you’d like during extended sessions.
Overall, the MEDVICE TENS unit offers effective pain relief with an impressive range of features, making it a solid choice for managing your tennis elbow.
iSTIM EV-805 TENS EMS Device
- TENS: "Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation"- a non-invasive, drug free method of pain relief used by Physical Therapists and professional Doctors for over decades. By delivering stable pulses to the skin to stimulate nerve fibers, Tens unit could effectively block the pain signal to people’s brain. At the same times, increases natural endorphins, which is a natural pain reliever. In many cases, the reduction or elimination of pain lasts longer than the actual period of stimulation
- EMS: “Electrical Muscle Stimulation” is an internationally accepted and way of treating muscular injuries. It works by sending electronic pulses to the muscle needing treatment; this causes the muscle to exercise passively. When the muscle receives this signal it contracts as if the brain has sent the signal itself. As the signal strength increases, the muscle flexes as in physical exercise. Then when the pulse ceases, the muscle relaxes and the cycle starts over again.
- iStim EV-805: Rechargeable Digital TENS EMS combo stimulator comes with 4 channels, 5 TENS modes, 3 EMS modes and 24 preset programs, sending comfortable impulses through the skin that stimulate the nerve fibers in the treatment area. Effectively Block the pain signal to your brain! Highly effective stimulation helps for treating chronic or acute pain (e.g. shoulder tension, back pain, arthritic, knee pain) and provides muscle relaxation and muscle strengthening.
| Pros: | Cons: |
Combines TENS and EMS functions Rechargeable and portable High-quality electrode pads | Bulky design Complex setup for beginners Higher price point |
The iSTIM EV-805 TENS EMS device offers a mix of pain relief and muscle stimulation, making it a great option for tennis elbow. The combination of TENS and EMS allows for targeted treatment. You can use TENS to manage pain and EMS to stimulate muscle recovery.
This device stands out for its rechargeable feature, which adds convenience and portability. You won’t be tied down by cords or the need for constant battery replacements. The high-quality Japanese electrode pads provide comfort and effective stimulation, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Despite its benefits, the iSTIM EV-805 has a few downsides. Its bulky design can make it less convenient for on-the-go use. The setup can be a bit complicated if you are new to these devices. Additionally, it’s priced higher compared to simpler units, which could be a consideration if you are on a tight budget.
Complementary Treatments and Exercises
Using a TENS unit for tennis elbow can be quite effective, especially when combined with other treatments and exercises. Physical therapy and specific stretches can greatly help in reducing pain and improving muscle strength.
Physical Therapy and Stretches
Physical therapy is essential in managing tennis elbow. Therapists often use techniques to improve muscle relaxation and promote the healing process. Performing simple forearm stretches can help increase your range of motion and provide relief.
For instance, a common stretch involves extending your arm with your palm facing down and gently pulling back on your fingers with your other hand. Hold this position for about 15-30 seconds. This stretches your extensor muscles and eases tension.
Other stretches include wrist flexor stretches where you extend your arm, palm up, and gently pull back your fingers. These stretches, when done regularly, can reduce pain and improve flexibility.
Strengthening Exercises for Recovery
Strengthening exercises play a crucial role in recovery from tennis elbow. Building strength in your forearm muscles helps support the joint and reduces the strain on your tendons. A simple exercise involves squeezing a soft ball or stress ball for a few seconds and then releasing. Repeat this for about 10-15 times.
Another exercise focuses on wrist extensions. With your arm resting on a table, hold a light weight or resistance band and slowly raise and lower your wrist. This targets the extensor muscles and strengthens them.
Additionally, consider reverse curls using light weights. With palms facing down, curl the weights up towards your shoulders. These exercises, when done correctly, enhance muscle strength and aid in faster recovery.
When to Avoid Using TENS
When considering TENS for tennis elbow, there are certain times you should avoid it.
Pregnancy: If you’re pregnant, it’s best to stay away from TENS unless your doctor says otherwise. The safety of TENS during pregnancy hasn’t been fully established.
Heart Issues: If you have heart problems or a pacemaker, using TENS might not be safe. The electrical stimulation could interfere with your heart’s function.
Infection or Open Wounds: Avoid placing TENS electrodes on infected areas or open wounds. This can cause irritation and potentially worsen the condition.
Epilepsy: If you have epilepsy, using TENS on your neck or head isn’t recommended. It could trigger a seizure.
Metal Implants: If you have metal implants in the area you want to treat with TENS, it’s wise to consult your doctor first. The electrical currents might interact with the metal.
Skin Sensitivity: If you have very sensitive skin or a known allergy to adhesives, TENS might cause irritation. Always test a small area first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using a TENS unit can be helpful for managing tennis elbow. It’s important to know how to position the pads, set the right frequency, and avoid common mistakes to get the best results.
How do you place TENS pads to relieve tennis elbow discomfort?
Correct pad placement is key. Place one pad on the outer part of the elbow where the pain is most intense. Position the other pad a few inches away, either above or below the first pad, along the muscle.
What frequency should a TENS machine be used to help with tennis elbow?
For tennis elbow, use a frequency between 2 to 10 Hz for pain relief. You can also try higher frequencies between 80 to 120 Hz for more intense pain. Always start with the lower end and adjust as needed.
Can a TENS unit be effective for managing other types of tendonitis, such as in the shoulder?
Yes, a TENS unit can help with different types of tendonitis, including in the shoulder. Just make sure to adjust the pad placement for the specific area and follow the same guidelines for frequency.
What are some mistakes to avoid when using a TENS unit for elbow pain relief?
Avoid placing pads on broken or irritated skin. Do not set the intensity too high as it can cause discomfort. Make sure the skin is clean and dry before applying the pads to ensure they stick well and work effectively.
Disclaimer: Last update on 2024-10-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
This content is provided solely for educational reasons and should not be seen as medical guidance. It’s important to consult with a healthcare expert prior to making any changes to your health regimen, including dietary adjustments or the use of supplements.
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