How to Use a TENS / EMS Unit for Knee Pain Relief - Ask Doctor Jo
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2018
- A TENS / EMS Unit can be a great tool for helping to reduce and relieve knee pain. Here are some pad placements to relieve different types of knee pain. Purchase a Healthmate Forever TENS/EMS Unit here: amzn.to/2LYI5rL (affiliate link)
Some common knee and leg injuries that may benefit from a TENS/EMS unit include things like bursitis, tendonitis, strains, sprains, knee replacements (TKA), and arthritis pain.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) is used to help reduce pain and increase circulation. Basically the vibration of the TENS follows the same pathway as the pain pathway to the brain and helps cancel it out. It is a great alternative to pain medication. A TENS uses two or four electrodes with cross currents to surround the area. The deep vibration/massage helps relax the muscles and allow for healing. You should not get a muscle contraction when using TENS.
EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) is designed to treat more of the muscle area than the nerves. It helps activate the muscles to help healing, and regain strength in that muscle. EMS is uncomfortable, and you should get a contraction with this. To help with elbow strengthening, placing the electrodes over the wrist extensor muscles is a great option.
Healthmate Forever has a wide variety of TENS/EMS Units and pads. The unit I'm using in this video is the T12AB. Check out their full line of products and learn more at: amzn.to/2LYI5rL (affiliate link)
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DISCLAIMER: This content (the video, description, links, and comments) is not medical advice or a treatment plan and is intended for general education and demonstration purposes only. This content should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. Don’t use this content to avoid going to your own healthcare professional or to replace the advice they give you. Consult with your healthcare professional before doing anything contained in this content. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ask Doctor Jo, LLC, its officers, employees, and contractors for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. Ask Doctor Jo, LLC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this content. Use of this content is at your sole risk.
PRODUCT PLACEMENT DISCLAIMER: This video contains paid product placement. Thank you to Healthamate Forever for sponsoring this video and providing Doctor Jo with a free T12AB TENS/EMS Unit to use. - กีฬา
Purchase a Healthmate Forever TENS/EMS Unit here: amzn.to/2LYI5rL (affiliate link)
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another person with chronic pain who's helped tremendously from your kind videos, thank you
You're welcome.
Best explanation and demonstration of TENS and EMS.
I'm always drawn to chose this channel when I'm looking stretch info!!
Thank you 😊
You're welcome!
Very informative. I've used a TENS unit for awhile, but didn't really know what it did to actually work.
I haven't used my tens unit in years. This video was very helpful.
You just reduced my stress and changed my life! Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I purchased their tens unit at a convention and it's a life saver for my knee. Feels great. Helps with the swelling and pain. I use the knee setting on 4.
Where do u get one at?
Great explanation and information regarding the difference BTW the 2 types of units! I've had a tens used on my knee last year with only 2 pads and I've not seen a 4 pad til this. Very interesting re the cross placements. Thx
Thanks, and you’re welcome.
Great tour. Thanks a lot. Looking forward to seeing it all in a few days.... well prepared. Thanks again ❤
You're welcome.
Excellent information, clear, concise and thorough. Thank you
Thanks, and you're welcome.
Thanks for the clear helpful video
You're welcome.
Severe OA in both knees. Had no sleep with restless legs. I started using a TENS and a Shiatsu foot massage plate. Now I can get some sleep! Thanks.
Thanks for a great informative video. This helped me a lot!
You're welcome.
Dearest dearest Dr. Jo💖💖💖 HERE you are! I watched a vid of yours years ago after my PMD recommended that I get a TENS unit for home for all-over pain secondary to a hip situation, cuz dontcha know it's all connected. 😟😖😢 I remember you talking about making the X with the leads... I'd never heard that before, no instructions even came with the TENS, and I haven't heard about the X since. I was even able to apply the principle to some upper back/shoulder/neck pain years later and it worked like a charm. So this evening I'm up to here with this flippin' knee nonsense and look to see what I can learn on TH-cam about electrode placement. ...who should I find but the lovely and talented... YOU! After having lost you for so many years I have found you again. I just wanted to let you know that you taught me something years ago that I still apply today and you continue to teach me to this day. I only wish I didn't need you so much, if ya catch m'drift! 😋 With gratitude from the Southern California desert, MK 🙂❤☀️🌵
I'm glad it helped!
THANK U SO MUCH I DIDNT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS
You're welcome!
Very useful 👍
Very well explained and helpful
Thanks.
When is the best time to do this during the day while implementing the RICE method and training in the gym?
Doc Joe, Thank you for the video . I have Medial side inflammation due to O/A changes and ACL sprain. Lot of discomfort and pain in right knee. Will EMS help relieving pain permanently? Shall it be used until inflammation subsides?
Thank you. Every time I have a question I end up here. You are such a badass Doc ✌🏽🕉
Thanks! 😎
thanks this is great information
You're welcome.
Which way would I use it to reduce knee swelling from an old injury of a partially torn acl?
HI Doc Jo,
Can you use this for Crepitus on the knee?
Hi doctor Jo, does it work for meniscus torn too? Thank you
Can you use the TENS machine for pain relief following a medial collateral ligament sprain in the knee ?
Hi, great vid! Would it be ok to use my TENS on a reinjured hyperextended knee injury? Thank you in advance!
tnx, this is superb
You're welcome ,and thanks!
Very informative n helpful video. Thank you so much 😊🙏
Thanks, and you're welcome.
Thank you for the overview for the knee. Any thoughts on where to place the electro pads when you have a metal plate and screws due to a fractured lateral tibia plateau? Can you place the electrod pads over the metal plate? Thank you!
Which mode is best for patellar tendonitis?
Can I use it to reduce pain after arthroscopic mennisctomy surgery ?
Thanks
I got mine in the mail today and am wondering going buy percentages how many would the unit decrease the pain.
Hey Jo! I’m post MPFL reconstruction surgery about 4-5 weeks I’ve got a tens/ems unit where do you recommend placing pads for vmo stimulation and drainage? Thanks
Thanks for this really straightforward and helpful explanation! I have chondromalacia caused by patellar dysplasia. Would EMS be helpful in my case? I'm debating between buying simply a TENS Unit or getting a TENS/EMS Unit
You're welcome. EMS is usually only helpful if you can not contract the muscle yourself or if it's really hard to do so. It's more about retraining the muscles.
Is it ok to use TENS right away on an inflamed knee or is it best to wait a few days?
Thank you
You're welcome.
Are you able to put it right on the knee cap or no
Can you use a tens unit on a meniscus tear in your knee?
Will it help a lateral miniscus tear
Is it usefull in medial meniscus and MS is also be usefull Or not
Thanks
You're welcome, and thank you for your support!
Is this helpful for osteoarthritis knee pain?plzz repppp
Hi! Can I use it for pes anserine? Where should I place the pads? Thanks!
What is the result of this therapy dr?? Thanks
Can I use the two channels both my knee with one machine at the same time
I’ve ever had that treatment in Dubai and it really saved me for some good time without knee pain but the problem is that I don’t know which one I should buy because the one my doctor used I remember it was a huge setup of gadgets and wires .. if i send u the video can u help me out which one was it ?? Because i left Dubai long time
Is this safe to use for a person had some ORIF..with metal piece on the knee..??
I have miniscus tear grade 2 in leteral side nd grade 1 in medial side in my left knee.how i fix the the electrode in this way.i am watched your vedio but no information about in this case.plz guide me how i fix electrode on knee joint.Does not sit on the feet properly.
Waiting for ur reply 😊
Really enjoy your videos.. Thanks. I have a question.. I have tightness at the back of the bands at the bottom of my ham strings and behind my knee.. Would this help or do I need to place the pads behind?
Same problem in the same area after my meniscus surgery. Did you figure out where to place the pads?
I have screws in my tibia w a metal rod inside. I have inner knee pain over a screw. Will that interfere with the unit?
Will this promote actual healing of the knee including regrowth of cartilage? I heard that was possible. Or is it just a pain reliever?
It helps increase the circulation, which can help the healing process.
Hi! Is there any issue to use it if you have titanium screw in your knee!?
You are the best messed up my MCL during this pandemic and sadly my job let me go along with my insurance so i cant afford physical therapy and you just changed my life stay blessed stay safe
Thanks. Good luck with your recovery.
Thanks a ton. My quad and v. lateralis are both damaged from many falls from significant height, and while I'm familiar with eeg, ecg, and defib, the electrode placements on this one puzzled me a bit.
You're welcome. Good luck.
Would this be helpful for knee fat pad impingement? I injured my knee in March and it has improved very little. I have been going to physical therapy and working on quad and hamstring strengthening. I had relief with a cortisone shot for a brief time but now am back to icing daily.
Very nice
Thanks.
Great video. I had a left total knee replacement nearly a year ago (7th November 2017) and I'm still having problems with so much pain at night. I have a tens machine and was wondering were to put the pads and how much power to use as I have read that a tens machine can help after a tkr. Thank you.
You're welcome. I hope it helps.
Update?
Adura Mehlek I found that the tens machine did not really help me. I’m still not 100% 2 and a half years later
@@Animal649have you tried an IFT machine?
Does it work for Osgood schlatter?
I was given and Ems unit as a gift. I wanted to use it for arthritis knee pain. Can I use it for that instead of buying a Tens unit>
Where can I purchase the unit you are using in the video
What about pain on the inside of the knee ? Same placement ?
Can l use tens for a person who just had a hip replacement and is on recovery?
I was trying to use your affiliate link but i'm not using Amazon U.S. Check to see if you can get a Universal Affiliate Link
Would TENS be helpful after a fall while hiking, it's very difficult to bend the leg I fell on. Thank you for the video above!
You're welcome. It should help. Good luck.
I think I tore my acl I'm getting a mri in about a week can I use this meanwhile for recovery?
does this help when you have bone on bone
What for pain in the groen area ?
Can u use tens units as muscles stimulation? I just have hip's surgery and my leg muscles so weak and don't respond to exercises
What happens when it means I'm turning the unit all the way up and I don't feel too much does it mean the battery is going? But I do not have a low battery indication
Hi. Hope you and your family are healthy and safe.. Just wanted to ask can i use these TENS for arthritis.
Thank you. As long as you don't have any contraindications (those should be in the manual), it should be okay.
Can't buy it on Amazon, they state: "Available with an Amazon Business account and healthcare license. "
Thanks for the video! So clear and helpful! If I’m working out every day is it better to do the tens unit before or after a workout?
I’m wondering if it will make my muscles tighter or more relaxed?
You're welcome! Usually afterwards is best.
Thanks a million for all your videos, I’m a big fan, but too many tens in the market today, so my question is this which tens do you suggest or think is the best, kindly drop the link for me to purchase
You’re welcome, and thanks. They are all pretty much the same in how they work. It's more about what kind of "bells and whistles" you want. There's wireless, touch screen, combo units, or a simple wired one with none of that.
Dr Joe can I use it on the back of my knees as well? I have Chondralmalacia and patella tendinitis
TENS can be used on the back of the knees.
Im suffering from patella maltracking
What happens if TENS unit is placed on exactly beside kneecap horizontally
My physiotherapist did that and now my knee hurts
What can be done
Hey! I'm subscribed! Will this help with pain from osteoarthritis of the knees? I'm 47 and need two knee replacements.
Thanks! It might help temporarily with the pain to allow you to do some stretches and exercises that should help.
Jo, would you ever put an electrode directly on top of the patella for someone with retro patella pain?
No. The electrodes are not suppose to go directly over the pain. The currents go between the electrodes.
Can you use a tens unit if you have a whole knee replacement and if so, where can you put it? Also, is the EMS the SAME as the TENS, in that you can put the tens unit, on your stomach on the front of your legs and make it stronger so that their is muscle contraction and would it TONE up that muscle? You also didn't say that you should NOT put the tens on the BONY part of your knee or ankle, should you ice that muscle when you are done doing the EMS? Can you use the EMS after having surgery to strengthen the muscles and how many times a week should you use it? thank you
As long as you are cleared by your doctor, yes TENS can be used with knee replacements. It would be the same as in the video. No, EMS and TENS are not the same, and they should not be used interchangeably. EMS is for retraining injured muscles, it is not going to tone up already healthy muscles.
tens machine for muscular dystrophy is useful or not?
It might help for pain.
hey doctor jo .
i have a question i v been surfering from knee pain for 3 years now it all started after i felt hard on my knee and since then i ve been trying to fegure out what is reall ythe problem because i didnt know was it a sublexation of my patella or patella tendonitis lately after few new XRays the doctor says its a sublexation and suggested a surgery to try fix it but without a garanty that it will solve the problem .
PS i only started going to fisio thearypy and rehab for (twice a week) since 14 weeks now + some your exercise at home the other days of the week .
and honestly i am not up to a surgery if nothing is garanteed . what do you think doctor jo ?
thank you
Unfortunately, I really don't know since I can't evaluate you. What does your physio therapist think?
yeah well my therapist think that if its not chronic i should try alternative treatment as exercises and then at the end consider a surgery if physio treatment doesnt work .
thank you for the respons
You're welcome. Good luck.
I have quite a few problem areas (a few in my back, my right knee(almost under my knee cap on the bottom), my left calf and my hips.) can I use tens on all of my areas until they start feeling better for a few times a day? I am young and my doctors really do not take me serious when I say I have chronic daily pain. I purchased the omron pocket pain pro PM400 and it has 2 long pads.
The TENS will only be temporary relief. It should help control the pain to be able to do the stretches and exercises you need to do to get better.
I thought when muscle contracts I’m doing it right .. bruh thanks for TH-cam and doctor jo
You're welcome.
Will it help after partial menisectomy surgery
It should as long as you are cleared to use one.
Would it be best to cross the electrodes onto each hip too,? As I just bought the TENS unit for si /low back /hip pain.
Here is one for your low back: th-cam.com/video/cRfadxPlVNs/w-d-xo.html
AskDoctorJo Thamk you, I really appreciate your help. I just found you this afternoon.
You're welcome. Good luck.
I’m having slight knee pain and my calves feel as if they were getting stretched aggressively, this all started with my calf pain and escalated to that legs knee. Would the tens help with the pain for this?
Joseluis Ruvalcaba I would see a provider and ask that question because your calf pain might be associated with something that Tens/ electron stim could make worse. It’s good for all sorts of pain but calf pain could be a blood clot or and underlying symptom for another cause. :)
1.5 month post-op partial knee replacement. Going to PT twice/week and working out at home 4 times/day. Knee cap is still very stiff and very difficult to manipulate. Will the tens unit be a help for this?
It might help. It's definitely worth talking with your PT about it.
Hi Dr Jo,
My abductor pollicis brevis muscle in my right hand aches every day. I can feel it hurt just using my thumb to rotate my locker padlock. Any ideas to get this healed up? Recently I posted a video fixing my car engine. I dont think that helped matters. It has been aching for about a good 8 or so months. Thank you for your input! :)
Do you remember any kind of original injury to it?
AskDoctorJo
That's a great question! I'm going to try and pay closer attention to what aggravates this area. I got a hunch its pushups! And that could very well have been the trigger 8 or so months ago. Maybe I should give pushups a break for 6 weeks and switch over to just cable flies
It's definitely possible a repetitive motion like that could cause it.
If I have a whole knee replacement, can I still use a TENS unit a tall? Where would i put it? Can I put it higer on my thighs or on the sides of my legs for BURSITIS pain and on the buttocks as well? Thank you
That depends on how long you've had the replacement, if you had any complications, and if you've been cleared by your doctor/healthcare provider to use one. In general, as long as it TENS and not EMS, it can be used over hardware since it's stimulating the surface nerves and not contracting the muscles.
Do you know whether you can use tens for osteoarthritis in the knee whilst having steroid injections?
It should be fine, but you should check with your doctor giving you your injections to be sure.
I have a knee bursa.....4 months now. Had it drained twice, 2 shots of cortisone, ice, heat, Arnica, Voltaren, bracing, elevation and it's still there. I've moved my tens around all over my knee and leg and wondering if I can put one of the pads directly on the bursa sac which is slightly below the patella. Would this help it and make it go away or would it exacerbate it? P.s. I subscribed
It doesn't really help to put it right over the area since it is a current that goes between the electrodes. If there is any way you can get evaluated by a PT, that might really help. Sounds like something out of balance is causing it if none of those things are working.
@@AskDoctorJo Thank you. I'll schedule a visit with PT
You're welcome. Good luck!
You stated place the pads across....So how do you place the pads in the shoulder and neck? New to tens...Thanks!
The same way. I have several other videos for placements at the shoulder and neck too. You can find them at: th-cam.com/users/askdoctorjo
Hi very informative video, thank you. I've noticed that my unit has 2 channels, but there both different, I can have them both on number 6 for instance, and one channel is a lot stronger than the other, is this normal?
You're welcome. Units are different depending on the brand, so unfortunately, I don't know that answer. In general, if it's on the same number (mode) and on the same intensity, the channels should feel the same.
@@AskDoctorJo no problem, thank you 🙏
You're welcome.
Hi Dr. Jo
How can I use this for shoulder impingement & rotator cuff tendinopathy??
I am consulting a physiotherapist for the same and doing exercises suggested for the last 2 months. It started with my left shoulder which was very very painful at tge time esp with all external rotations. My therapist suggested some exercises using a theraband
(like wall slides for serratus activation etc). All exercises required using both arms unlike the isometric band exercises using one arm at a time.
While my left shoulder has had significant relief with the exercises , my right shoulder which was never the problem & had no symptoms at all and what I called my good shoulder has really aggravated and is more painful than my left shoulder. It actually now tests positive for all shoulder impingment tests which was the case with my left shoulder.
I am at my all time low these days not able to understand why this happened. I religiously did my exercises, followed all the instructions by my therapist and have only ended up with a new problem. My therapist says the problem with my right shoulder is Gird. Whatever it is was not the case before i started these exercises. But then having had so much relief with the same exercises in my left shoulder, I dont know what conclusion to draw.
Please help
I have one for the shoulder coming out next week, so stay tuned. As far as your other shoulder starting to bother you, I don’t really know. GIRD doesn’t seem likely if all you were doing were exercises to help. Was your original pain in the left shoulder from an injury?
AskDoctorJo
No doc, didn't have any injury or trauma. I am a 37 yr old female, an active person with dancing being absolute my passion.
The problem started with gradual discomfort in my left shoulder (no pain in right at all). Consulted a doc who did the physical examination and ruled it as a muscle pull. But when it didnt improve and got worse that is when i consulted a diff doctor who ran an MRI.
Ever since have been taking physios. Am off all my workout and dance routine for the last 4 months.
Do you feel like you were overworking your "good" side while the other was healing? Sometimes if one side hurts, you end up overusing the other side. Other than that, I really don't know.
AskDoctorJo
No doc doesn't seem so. But thank u loaads for taking the time to revert
You're welcome. Hopefully your physiotherapist will be able to figure it out for you.
I have patellar tendonitis from playing volleyball. will the use of a tens unit around my knee help reduce pain and stiffness that comes after i play? thank you
It might help. Definitely worth trying.
@@AskDoctorJo any recommendations for devices?
It really just depends on how fancy you want to get with "bells and whistles." Healthmate Forever brand (the one I am using in the video) makes a variety of them from super simple (and cheaper) to more fancy, like wireless (but more expensive). But they all do about the same thing.
My mother had knee replacement surgery a few months ago. Is she fit to use it ? She has pain in both knee.
Just start with the lowest one.. If she can tolerate slowly increase that..
Can it work with TKR post op? There’s metal and plastic.
In general yes, but you should check with your doctor or physical therapist first.
Hey thanks for your video. I was wondering if you could talk about posterior labrum pain and what exercises to prevent it to torn if someone is at risk.
All the information that i can find are only about anterior labrum.
You're welcome. Labrum of the hip or shoulder?
Oh sorry, of the shoulder . Its hurst back of shoulder during bench pressing
Are you getting any popping, clicking, snapping, or clunking feelings? Any unstable feeling in your shoulder? That pain could be a few things besides the labrum unless you were already diagnosed with it. Does it just hurt when bench pressing?
Yes i have cluncking, yes mostly pushing like pushing heavy boxe sometime provoke the pain. I tried stretching, i tried rottator cuff strengthening (MOSTLY EXTERNAL BECAUSE I DONT FEEL ANYTHING DURING INTERNAL) and i did push up plus but i feel it in the back of the shoulder feels like my posterior shoulder is getting a workout. Could it be weakness in the front shoulder ? But it seems the symptoms if a posterior labrum
The exercises would really be the same. You are trying to generally strengthen the shoulder muscles around the joint to prevent instability. The labrum itself doesn't really heal if it's torn. So I think doing general rotator cuff strengthening and shoulder/scapular stabilization exercises should help.
What is the most appropriate function for those who have partial ACL rupture?
Do you mean for pain control?
@@AskDoctorJo I am referring to cicratization And strengthening.
TENS helps with pain control and circulation, and EMS helps with strengthening.
To strengthen the ligaments, what is the most appropriate function that I should select on the equipament?
You can't strengthen ligaments, just the muscles around the joints. As for muscles, unfortunately, I don't know since I can't evaluate you. If you can you should go see a physical therapist for an evaluation, and you can get answers to your questions.
I have Patella Alta (patellofemural syndrom) and i have a compex 5.0 unit. how can i use it for my knee? can u help me? thanks !
I have not used one of those before, but they all usually work similarly.
@@AskDoctorJo thanks . Whats the placement of the electrodes for patella alta? How often should i use it ? And what else can i do for ? Thanks a lot
You're welcome. I have many videos for TENS units, and I have a book as well with all that information. You can find all my videos at: th-cam.com/users/askdoctorjo, and you can find out more about my book at: www.askdoctorjo.com/book