Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a central nervous system disorder that causes unpleasant sensations in the legs or other limbs and interferes with sleep. The exact cause of RLS is not known, and it may occur for no known reason or be the result of another underlying medical condition or treatment. A variety of treatments exist for RLS, including massage, hot compresses, mineral supplementation, medications and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS. A TENS unit is a device that is attached to the skin in order to send electrical signals to certain parts of the body. TENS is believed to help the symptoms of RLS by blocking pain signals.
Instructions
1. Know the symptoms of RLS before considering electric nerve stimulation therapy as a treatment. Symptoms include creeping, crawling or tingling sensations in the legs that are usually relieved by activity. The symptoms of RLS are typically worse in the evening and during periods of inactivity, and some sufferers may experience involuntary leg movements during sleep and have a family history of RLS.
2. Speak with your doctor about your symptoms and about using electric nerve stimulation as a treatment. Certain treatable medical conditions may be related to RLS symptoms, and your doctor may want to perform some tests to rule out those conditions before prescribing any sort of treatment. It is likely that you will be required to have your iron levels checked, and you may receive and EMG and EEG to check for unusual nerve activity in your legs and rule out epilepsy. TENS can be dangerous in those diagnosed with epilepsy.
3. Consult with your treating physician about the proper way to use TENS for relief of your RLS symptoms. Your doctor will discuss with you any risk factors and side effects related to your specific medical history.
4. Test the battery pack in your TENS unit to make certain it is fully charged before using the unit for the first time. Your TENS unit should have two control knobs. The first control knob controls the strength of the electrical signals, while the second knob controls the signal speed. The control knob should be in the "OFF" position before beginning treatment.
5. Carefully clean the entire area where the electrodes will be attached. It is best to use rubbing alcohol, as it leaves no residue and dries quickly. The skin should be completely dry before proceeding.
6. Place a thin coat of gel designed for use with your TENS unit on the bottom side of each electrode. If gel did not come with your prescription, call your doctor to ask which specific gel is right for your treatment. The gel enables the electrical signals to reach the nerves beneath the skin.
7. Put the electrodes on your legs and use tape to cover them. It is important that the electrodes remain firmly in place during treatment. If you are unable to reach the area being treated, have a friend or family member assist you.
8. Attach the pin connectors located on the end of the electrode wires to the electrodes. Then, plug the wires into the TENS unit.
9. Turn the control knobs to the prescribed or desired setting. Your doctor should have instructed you as to what settings are right for your specific treatment. If the electrical signals are strong enough, you should feel a tingling in the affected area.
10. Switch the TENS unit off after 15 or 30 minutes, or whatever length of time has been prescribed. You can then unplug the electrode wires from the unit. Remove the electrodes and wash the area where the electrodes were attached to your skin.
11. Clean the electrodes using soap and water to remove any remaining traces of gel. Never use alcohol to clean the electrodes, as this will damage the rubber. Remove the battery from your TENS unit and allow it to charge for your next treatment.
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