With the World Cup kicking off on the 14th June, many of us are getting active and exercising more than usual as we watch the incredibly athletic footballers of the world effortlessly run around for 90 minutes. However, our bodies may not be used to the sudden increase in activity and this is when strains or injuries can occur in muscles and joints. This kind of pain can keep you from exercise for weeks if not months and can incur costly physio sessions. So what if there was a device that helped to naturally ease the pain at a fraction of the cost of other products and services?
The Sport Tens 2 device, does exactly that. Utilising TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) the device relieves pain by helping the body to release natural painkillers (called endorphins) and by blocking pain signals to the brain. The device also uses EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) which provides intensive muscle contractions in order to react with specific nerves to acheive muscle tone.
TENS is recommended throughout the world by pain clinics and physiotherapy departments. Not only does TENS reduce your pain, it can also help you to reduce your need for painkillers. TENS is simply a means of stimulating your body’s own natural defences against pain, perfect for exercise inflicted injuries.
How Does TENS Work?
The TENS unit sends a tiny electric current into the skin through electrode pads which are usually placed near the source of the pain.. This current stimulates the sensory nerves, which carry touch and temperature signals. These nerves go to the same connections in the spine as the nerves carrying pain. A strong signal in the sensory nerve releases chemicals in the spine which stop the pain signal travelling up the spine to the brain. This is known as the “Pain Gate”. In the Pain Gate mode TENS provides relief while it is switched on. The effect may start to wear off after 1-2 hours. You can stop for an hour and then try again and the device can be used several times a day. You can use TENS as much, and as often, as you need. Even continuous treatment is fine, but electrodes should be re-positioned regularly (at least every 12 hours) to allow the skin to be exposed to air.
Endorphin Release Mode
At low frequency settings, TENS also causes a release of endorphins, the body’s natural morphine-like substances, which relaxes and relieves your pain. In Endorphin Release mode, the relief builds up over as much as 40 minutes, and can last for up to 4 hours after the unit is turned off. Most people will achieve a reduction in pain. Some find that their pain goes away completely while they are using TENS. Some users only feel better after repeated use, and over a long time period. The Endorphin Release mode works better when the intensity is high enough to cause small muscle contractions. After about 20 minutes with muscle contractions, the muscle may begin to ache . If this happens you should stop the session. Best results with endorphin release are achieved at between 20 and 40 minutes.
How Does EMS Help With Sports Training and Fitness?
EMS is widely recognised by healthcare professionals and sports individuals as a method of treatment for muscle rehabilitation, improving muscle endurance and preventing injury, along with helping to relieve muscle pain due to injury and over-training.
Why use an EMS device?
EMS produces intensive and effective muscular contraction by passing electrical stimulation through electrode pads placed on the skin in order to react with specific nerves supplying a particular muscle group. These muscle contractions retrain the muscles, increase their effectiveness and improve their condition.
Benefits of EMS Before and After Exercise:
- Improve muscle endurance and performance
- Provides muscle training to support the strengthening of certain muscles or muscle groups in order to achieve desired changes to body proportions
- Sports training – warm-up, strength, speed, power, resistance, endurance and recovery
- Rehabilitation in relation to sports injury
- Help prevent muscle atrophy
- Increasing local blood circulation
