Cancer pain can result from the pressure of a tumor, or even as a result of radiation
or chemotherapy. These treatments may cause side-effects which can irritate healthy
tissue. This in turn may cause pain, inflammation and sensitive nerve endings.
Cancer Pain: Does TENS work?
Cancer pain can be alleviated by surgery, strong pain killers, alternative methods
such as acupuncture
and/or TENS.
TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a non-invasive,
drug-free method of pain relief. Pads are placed on or near the area of pain.
TENS uses soothing pulses that are sent via the pads through the skin and along
the nerve fibres. The pulses suppress pain signals to the brain. TENS also encourages
the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called
Endorphins and Encephalins.