Pain relief using electricity has been practiced since the time of the ancient Egyptians when electric fish were used to treat patients. More recently the treatment of pain using electricity (electroanalgesia) has included the following:
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- TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
Creates tingling sensation at peripheral nerves which distract the nerves from pain.
- Spinal column stimulation (SCS or DCS)
Electrodes implanted into spinal column and electrical signals interrupt pain signals.
- TSE (Transcutaneous Spinal Electroanalgesia)
A high power form of TENS which produces a mild sensation and allows electrical pulses to pass through the skin to the spinal cord.
- DEEP tens using Electronic Nerve Modulation - ENM
ENM is a new technology that is sensation free whilst allowing sufficiently high levels of electricity to pass via pads on the skin into the spinal column to achieve pain relief.
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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) was invented by a British doctor, Dr Pat Wall, who had previously described the “Gate Control” theory of pain. His idea was simple – to interfere with the passage of pain signals to the brain through the Central Nervous System. TENS achieves this by stimulating the nerves just under the skin to operate the Gate.
Another method of treating pain is Spinal Cord Stimulation, where fine electrode wires are surgically implanted directly into the spine. Spinal Cord Stimulation for chronic pain, like TENS, is based on the “Gate Control” theory of pain. In recent years attempts have been made to mimic the effect of Spinal Cord Stimulation without the need for an operation. This has resulted in the development of ENM technology, which provides DEEP tens therapy by passing a special waveform through to the spinal column via pads placed on the skin.
With DEEP tens an electrical impulse passes deeper into the tissues than traditional TENS to reach nearer to the Central Nervous System. This enables the “dose” of electricity to operate more directly without causing any tingling sensation. The advantages of this approach are clear. The therapy is applied more directly to the pain Gate and due to the absence of a tingle, the electrical impulse is able to operate more effectively.
In 2002 Dr John Royle, a General Practitioner with a special interest in pain relief, was studying a drug delivery system known as "iontophoresis". It occurred to him that by using the principles of this system and employing them to drug-free electroanalgesia, it should be possible to provide a more effective method of therapy. This work resulted in the development of Electronic Nerve Modulation technology that provides what is termed "DEEP tens" therapy. The new (ENM) device was first launched in March 2004 and has now helped thousands of pain suffererers. |
