If you live with chronic pain, you’ve probably heard it by now. Essential oils — the Holy Grail of healing. Right? Uh-huh. (Insert sarcasm here.) In the real world, a TENS unit is a much better option for pain relief.
Listen, I have no doubt that essential oils have their place. But do they actually reduce your pain substantially? Those who live with chronic pain day in and day out know better.
And that is true for much more than just essential oils. More exercise. A new diet. More sleep. Fresh air. And, of course, Yoga. You name it, everyone has advice on how to manage your pain.
However, none of these things make a real difference in day to day pain levels and those of us with chronic pain darn well know it.
You listen to their advice while internally rolling your eyes. You try your best to respond politely without telling them you have already been there, done that, and know it’s BS.
And it takes every bit of self-restraint in your body to not strangle them where they stand.
So, we’ve established what doesn’t work. Is there anything that actually does help to control chronic pain besides medications?
Actually, yes. Using a TENS unit relieves pain for thousands of chronic pain patients, and it could work for you too. If you haven’t tried one of these nifty devices yet, you should.
A TENS Unit Provides Real Relief
Essential oils and these other things just make you think that maybe you might feel a little better because of the placebo effect. But TENS units are different.
A TENS unit can provide actual pain relief. And scientific studies back that assertion up.
The same thing can’t be said of essential oils or most of the other mumbo jumbo. There’s a reason they aren’t used by true medical experts. They don’t work. Period.
Pseudo-science may claim they work. However, pseudo-science and science aren’t the same things.
When it comes to finding a way to ease chronic pain so that you can live your life, you want a treatment that is backed by science. You want something that actually works.
Granted, there are other ways to treat pain. Medications make it possible for many people who have chronic pain to live normal lives.
However, these powerful drugs aren’t the answer for everyone. For some people, medications just aren’t enough. Using a TENS unit can be a miracle treatment for these patients.
Whatever your reason for searching out a way to control your pain, I suspect that a TENS unit will help you more than shoving lavender up your nose.
How a TENS Unit Controls Pain
We’ve established that TENS units work. We also know that science has proven they work. But exactly how do they work?
The word “TENS” is really an abbreviation. It stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.
Okay, I admit it. That sounds a little scary at first. After all, nobody wants to be electrocuted. But it isn’t as bad as it sounds. I promise.
Using a TENS unit isn’t painful. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. The sensation from the “electrical stimulation” actually relieves your pain. But how?
A TENS unit uses pads that stick to your skin with an adhesive, much like a bandaid. Then, the TENS machine sends electricity through the pads to your skin.
The electrical pulses trigger your body to release endorphins, which are the feel-good chemicals in your brain. They also block your brain from picking up the pain signals your body is sending.
The best part about a TENS unit is that you can use it while you are exercising, working, or just trying to enjoy a little rest and relaxation.
These machines can relieve pain from injuries, arthritis, overuse, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions.
However, they aren’t for everyone. You should always talk to your doctor before beginning a new treatment plan. For example, people with certain kinds of implants shouldn’t use TENS machines.
Related Read: How To Use A TENS Unit Successfully
Best TENS Units to Buy
So, now you know that essential oils are a crock of bull — athough, you probably already knew that.
You also know that TENS units really do work for pain. And you’re all ready to give one of these little miracle machines a try. But how in the heck do you know which TENS unit to buy?
Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. As usual, which model is right for you depends on what exactly you’re looking for.
Do you want the Cadillac of TENS units no matter how much it costs? Or are you on a tight budget? Maybe you’re somewhere in between.
The good news is that there is a TENS unit that is right for you regardless of where you fall on this spectrum. Whether you have a ton of money to blow or are counting your pennies, you can find something that will work for you.
“Cadillac” Option
If you’re more concerned about how well a TENS unit works, the TruMedic Deluxe TENS Unit Electronic Pulse Massager TM-1000PRO is worth taking a look at.
This unit has a variety of preset massage options. Users can choose between massage, beat, or knead settings.
That way, you can find not only what works best for you, but also what works best for different areas of your body.
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“Middle of the Road” Option
If you still want a professional-grade TENS unit, make sure you take a look at the Sport TENS from Tewa.
This model has 8 preset therapy modes and a whopping 30 intensity levels, which makes it very easy to customize to your individual preferences.
The Sport TENS runs on three AAA batteries, so it’s easy to make sure it is ready to use wherever you are. No need to worry about making sure there is somewhere you can charge it up at.
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“Basic” option
Perhaps you just want to make sure that a TENS unit is the right choice for you before you spend too much money.
If that’s the case, you need to check out the TENS 7000. This unit gives you prescription-strength relief but it’s available over-the-counter.
It comes with two pairs of lead wires and a four-pack of reusable electrode pads. This device is powered by a nine-volt battery, so it’s ready to travel whenever you are.
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Don’t Waste Time on Essential Oils, Try a TENS Unit Instead
So, there you have it. You were right all along. If you want to try relaxing with aromatherapy, essential oils are great. But if you want to reduce your pain levels, they just aren’t going to do the trick.
To truly relieve your pain, you need something that actually works. Thanks to a multitude of scientific studies, we know for a fact that a TENS unit is capable of treating chronic pain.
Shop smart and spend your money on the option science has proven to work effectively.
Whether you choose to go with the most expensive option on our list or the cheapest (or a different machine altogether), you may find that trying out a TENS unit is the best decision you have ever made.
At the very least, it will be a better choice than spending your money on essential oils. How do I know this? Easy. Science says so.
Last update on 2023-03-07 at 03:25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API