Electrical Stimulation for Hypermobility Pain: Part 1

Jan 13 8:20am | Hyett Farah | @hyettf95 | Comments (4)

We have posted previously on various modalities that can help with hypermobility pain in Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and HSD, such as Kinesio Taping. In this post, we will cover the growing interest in forms of electrical stimulation (E-stim) devices.

Chronic pain is a common challenge for people with hypermobility disorders, such as EDS and HSD. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one type of E-stim that offers a non-invasive way to manage pain and improve daily comfort.

TENS works by delivering mild electrical pulses through electrodes placed on the skin. These pulses stimulate sensory nerves, helping to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Additionally, TENS may boost the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and providing further relief.

For individuals with hypermobility, TENS can help ease muscle tension, reduce joint pain, and complement other therapies like physical therapy. It's easy to use at home with guidance from a healthcare provider.

If pain from hypermobility is interfering with your life, consider exploring TENS therapy—it’s a safe and effective tool for enhancing well-being.

Please share in the comments below if this has helped you!

Author: Dacre Knight, M.D., M.S., FACP

Interested in more newsfeed posts like this? Go to the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome blog.

lele90 | @lele90 | Jan 16 7:33pm

Thank you for this informative post! It's great to see practical solutions like TENS therapy being highlighted for those with EDS and HSD. I appreciate how you explained its benefits in managing chronic pain and improving daily comfort. For someone new to TENS, could you share tips on selecting the right device or any precautions to keep in mind? Looking forward to more content on this topic!

janma | @janma | Jan 19 7:15am

I hear about using TENS for EDS and fibromyalgia pain, however, it is never explained *how* to use it, or where to place the electrodes. I'd love to hear more.

edspain | @edspain | Mar 15 9:30pm

Thank you for this information. I actually have a TENS that I bought after my Total Hip Replacement and 3level ACDF surgeries(3 months apart) were creating all kinds of issues that others just didn’t have. Where should you put the pads? I have extreme pain, bone on bone thumbs, back pain, wrist pain…..I am 46 and just seeking a diagnosis. My daughter is 17 and has the same issues but in a younger body. Suspected POTS also. I just pray I can get in to Mayo sooner than later. The pain and fatigue is crippling me.

meganv | @meganv | 39 minutes ago

I use a TENS unit nearly daily. Placing the electrodes for pain relief is a process of trial and error for me. The units come with guides for different parts of the body. I use those as starting points but sometimes have to adjust the placement to meet my needs.

The stimulation pattern and strength are also adjustable, so experiment to find what works for you. When I get things dialed it, it really does release endorphins snd block pain signals.

Not everyone in my family can tolerate the sensations, but it’s worth trying.

I now have 2 units so that one is always charged. Mine are not fancy- they are relatively inexpensive units available without a prescription from a popular online retailer.

(It’s also fantastic for menstrual cramps!)