Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for
back pain treatment involves wearing a small box over the painful area that directs mild electrical impulses to the nerves. The theory behind TENS is that stimulating the nervous system can modify the perception of pain. Early studies of TENS suggested it could elevate the levels of endorphins (the body's natural pain-numbing chemicals) in the spinal fluid. However, subsequent studies of its effectiveness against pain have produced mixed results.
Acupuncture
This ancient Chinese practice has been gaining increasing acceptance and popularity in the United States. Acupuncture is based on the theory that a life force called qi (pronounced chee) flows through the body along certain channels, which, if blocked, can cause illness. According to the theory, the insertion of thin needles at precise locations along these channels by practitioners can unblock the flow of qi, relieving pain and restoring health.
Although few Western-trained doctors would agree with the concept of blocked qi, some believe that inserting and then stimulating needles (by twisting or passing a low-voltage electrical current through them) may foster the production of the body's natural pain-numbing chemicals, such as endorphins, serotonin, and acetylcholine.
A consensus panel convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 concluded that there is clear evidence that this treatment is effective for some pain conditions, including postoperative dental pain. Although there is less convincing evidence to support using acupuncture for back pain and other pain conditions, the panel concluded that acupuncture may be effective when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for low back pain,
fibromyalgia, and several other conditions.
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