Is E-stim Safe for me?

One of the benefits of E-stim is it is generally safe and has relatively few contraindications giving rise to the potential for at home self-administration. Although relatively safe, any use of electricity can be harmful if missused and as such patient education is paramount.

It is the responsibility of the practitioner clinically to adhere to all contraindications and precautions when administering e-stim but also to explain the risks and appropriate dosage to patients who choose to continue e-stim treatments at home in a self-administered manner.

We acknowledge that these contraindications and precautions are of a general nature relating to e-stim. Fibromyalgia patients however, need to take additional precautions including the consideration of altered sensitivity, stimulation and patient preferences. Other chronic pain conditions elicited from non-musculoskeletal origins may also have additional precautions and consultation with your therapist or Doctor should be sort prior to any application. 

                         Contraindications:

1. DO NOT apply to the thoracic area of a patient with arrhythmia, congestive

heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, and other heart conditions.

2. DO NOT apply anywhere on the body of a patient with a implanted cardiac

pacemaker or defibrillator.

3. DO NOT apply through the carotid sinus area or the cranial region.

4. DO NOT apply through cancerous (malignant) tissue or internal bleeding areas.

5. DO NOT apply over abdomen during pregnancy.

6. DO NOT apply whilst patients are performing strong muscle contractions.

7. DO NOT apply near or touching surgically inserted metal.

8. DO NOT apply to a patient with undiagnosed pain.

9. DO NOT apply to patients who cannot provide adequate feedback concerning the level of

stimulation (infants, individuals with mental disorders and unreliable patients).

           Precautions:

USE CAUTION WHEN….
Applying at high amplitude directly over areas where bone is superficial.	Applying in areas of excessive adipose tissue.
Applying within 3 feet of a transmitting cellular phone or two-way radio.	Applying in the region of the urinary bladder.
Applying over scar tissue or areas of broken or irritated skin.

 References

Johnson, Mark, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and TENS-like devices: do they provide pain relief?, Pain Reviews Journal, Vol 8/3-4, 2001

D Carroll, RA Moore, HJ McQuay, F Fairman, M Tramèr & G Leijon, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for chronic pain, Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive and mSupportive Care Group, APR 2008