Electric Stimulation as a Drug-Free Option for Managing MS Pain

One of the biggest ongoing threads we have in the forum I help admin revolves around the subject of pain.

We all know how pain can be disabling, or if not disabling, still influential over our moods, our ability to sleep, our energy levels, even the decisions we make. Pain is distracting, specific, invisible to others, and always an obstacle to normal living.

Some of my pain is related to MS (migraines, leg cramps, MS hugs, and L’Hermitte’s). However, most of my pain comes from the rheumatoid arthritis I’ve had my entire adult life. It’s there on a daily basis, affecting the body parts I use the most: my feet and hands.

Why not take aspirin, an NSAID, or other analgesic? As I age, I find it necessary to protect my liver; I take a DMT and know its potential for liver damage. I also take other medications that have no suitable drug-free alternatives. I would prefer to bust my arthritis pain by other means, if possible.

What is TENS?

I rediscovered TENS while at an event with a friend that had us sitting on bleachers for several hours. I noticed her using a device connected to a cable that had sensors she placed on her lower back. She told me it was a transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) unit she’d picked up at a trade show a few years ago, and it did wonders for her back problems.

I briefly recalled using such a unit to alleviate lower back pain while in labor over 20 years ago. I never imagined it could be a therapy to treat muscle and joint pain independent of a clinical setting.

I checked online and, sure enough, I found a wide range of TENS units available between $20 and $200, no prescription needed. The one I selected was under $50 and came with additional electrodes and remote control.

How a TENS unit works

TENS delivers short bursts or patterns of electricity that safely stimulate the nerves.

This application of neurostimulation can reduce the pain signals delivered from the pain source to the central nervous system, which helps to relax muscles and provides pain relief.

The use of TENS also stimulates endorphin production: These are our natural pain relief hormones.

A TENS unit is typically composed of:

• a master handheld control
• one or two patches that are lined with adhesive gel to help conduct electricity
• cables or receiver units that snap onto the patches, then deliver electrical pulses

You apply the patches to your skin on areas where you experience pain. Then you connect the master control with the patches by snapping on cables or remote receiver units. 

From the master handheld control, you can turn on the unit and set your therapy. Each unit is different, but they generally allow some range for adjustment so that you can set your treatment for the level of nerve stimulation you best tolerate.

TENS unit functionality varies widely, but the one I use offers patterns of stimulation that last about 30 minutes. Once the unit stops, I peel the electrode patch away, disassemble the unit, and I’m done.

I have been using my TENS unit about 4 times weekly for 6 weeks. I can say with confidence that for daily aches and pains in the muscles and joints, this therapy has made a difference.

What I’ve discovered:

• Relief is obvious, if temporary, in the areas where I’ve used the unit.
• The TENS unit does not fix the root cause of pain, but it can be used safely, day-to-day.
• TENS tends to make me sleepy (must be the endorphins), so I use it at bedtime to enjoy this secondary benefit.

If you decide to try TENS, please explicitly follow the directions that come with your unit. They pertain to electrode placement on the body. We’re talking about electrical currents, after all. Some places on the body should be avoided, such as near the heart and chest, neck, spine, or face.

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Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.