Pain Relief in Sports Injuries - Application of TENS to Acupuncture Points

Abstract

Twenty-two athletes were treated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for complaints of pain that interfered with or prevented participation in sports activities. Stimulation sites were selected according to “trigger” or “acupuncture” points. Conditions treated were musculotendinous syndromes of the chronic exertion type. Results showed that 18 of 22 subjects returned to full sports activity following a course of TENS. Fifteen indicated complete pain relief. Four showed a good improvement of greater than 50% reduction in pain scores. One subject indicated fair improvement of 30% to 50% reduction in pain scores and two subjects indicated poor response of less than 30% reduction in pain scores. Six subjects experienced a recurrence of pain 10 days to 2 months after return to full sports activity. Five described it to be of a mild nature. Four underwent further TENS treatment with good results. No adverse reactions caused by TENS were observed in this study. TENS stimulation of acupuncture points may be effective in the therapy of painful sports injuries of the athletic exertion type.

Key Words

musculotendinous injuries - acupuncture points - pain