Is she considering using a TENS machine to help manage nerve pain or discomfort related to lung cancer treatment?
A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine is a device that uses mild electrical currents to help relieve nerve pain, and it has been studied as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral Show Full Answer
Is she considering using a TENS machine to help manage nerve pain or discomfort related to lung cancer treatment?
A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine is a device that uses mild electrical currents to help relieve nerve pain, and it has been studied as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) — nerve pain caused by chemo.
Research has compared TENS to a more advanced treatment called scrambler therapy. The findings showed that TENS did provide some benefit, but scrambler therapy outperformed it, with twice as many people experiencing improvements in pain, numbness, and tingling.
So while TENS may offer some relief, it's worth knowing there are more effective options available. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Always check with her oncologist before trying a TENS machine
- TENS is generally considered safe, but her doctor needs to rule out any reasons it might not be suitable for her
- If TENS doesn't provide enough relief, her doctor can refer her to a pain management or palliative care specialist for more advanced treatments like scrambler therapy
It's always best to loop in her care team first — they can help find the right approach for her specific situation.
3 days ago
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