PEMF Vs TENS
The major difference between TENS and PEMF devices
Two kinds of electrotherapies that are used to treat the body are TENS and PEMF devices.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, requires the direct application of lowvoltage electrical currents to the skin. The word transcutaneous is an adjective that describes something that passes, enters, or is made by penetration through the skin.
A TENS machine involves the application of tiny electrodes to the affected area of skin with the aim of alleviating pain. The electrodes are supplied with mild electric current pulses by the TENS machine. It is believed that by stimulating various nerves and inducing the release of endorphins, the body's natural analgesics, TENS inhibits pain signals.
Conversely, PEMF, which stands for pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, delivers brief bursts of low-frequency, low-intensity electromagnetic energy. This form of energy is comparable to that present in your cells, and aids in the body's overall healing process by promoting cell regeneration, re-establishing circulation, and repairing damaged tissue. As blood flow is also increased to that area, this in turn accelerates nerve repair and may eliminate any accumulated toxins that are potentially responsible for pain caused by neuropathy, degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, or cellular damage.
In summary, the main differences between TENS and PEMF devices are:
Mechanism of application: While PEMF therapy employs magnetic fields of varying strengths that can be applied over clothing, TENS uses electrical impulses applied directly to the skin.
Type of healing: PEMF treats the underlying cause of pain, while TENS provides shortterm relief by stimulating the body's analgesic pathways.
Speed of treatment: TENS therapy is generally faster in temporarily reducing pain. PEMF may be slower as it deals with the cause but has the potential to yield greater long-term efficacy.
Portability: TENS devices need to be attached directly to the skin whereas some PEMF devices, like the Oska Pulse, can be worn discreetly under or over clothing.
Localized vs. holistic: TENS therapy is more localized, while PEMF therapy is more holistic.
It’s important to note that both TENS and PEMF therapies are safe to use. TENS devices have very few adverse effects and are well tolerated by most people. PEMF devices have no reported side effects and are more designed to deal with the root cause of pain by regenerating damaged tissue (cells) rather than blocking pain signals through the neuropathic pathways.