Verity Medical NeuroTrac Operator's Manual - Electrode Placement

NeuroTrac™ TENS Operation Manual

12

The placement of electrodes is one of the most important parameters in

achieving effective pain relief using TENS. This is best left to your

Physiotherapist or Doctor to advise as to which location is most appropriate. It

may transpire that various positions need to be experimented with before the

user finds the most effective positioning. The positioning may be via the

contiguous, dermatome, myotome, motor, trigger or acupuncture points.

Dermatomes & Myotomes

These are areas of the body enervated by a single nerve root via the spinal

cord. Each nerve root serves a known area of the skin. The dermatomes are

named after the nerve root which serves it. For details of dermatome sites refer

to diagrams on pages 23 & 24.

Contiguous Placement

This form of electrode placement is the most common method used. It

involves placing the red lead [proximal] alongside the spine where the

dermatome [on which your pain lies] enters and exists. The black lead [distal]

is normally placed over or near to the pain site. Your Physiotherapist or

Doctor may direct the current to cross through the pain area or using the

‘bracket’ system allow the current to flow on either side of the pain site

through the nerve branches that supply the pain location.

Acupuncture Points

The placement of the red and black electrodes on the skin forms the electrical

circuit for TENS. It is the skin itself that creates the highest electrical

resistance to stimulation. The Physiotherapist or Doctor may consider using

acupuncture loci, which offer much lower resistance properties, as a more

effective site for placing the electrodes.

Accurately locating an acupuncture point can be difficult, please seek advice

from you doctor or physiotherapist.

Electrode Placement