Pain Treatment by Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.

Edited by Ottoson D, Lundeberg T. Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany, Springer-Verlag, 1988, 130 pp, paper, illus, $29.95

This manual describes the clinical application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Chapter 1 covers the neurophysiology of pain, including information on pain receptors and nerves, neural transmission in the spinal cord, pain originating in organ systems, and physiological mechanisms of pain control.

The second chapter contains a discussion of the general principle of TENS, of indication and contraindication for TENS use, and of characteristics of TENS units. Illustrated are sites of stimulation for TENS electrode placement, including motor points, trigger points, and acupuncture points.

Chapter 3, the largest section of the manual, contains descriptions and illustrations of specific pain syndromes that can be alleviated by TENS, including postoperative, neck and shoulder, low back, arthritic, fracture, cancer, dysmenorrheal, dental, phantom, labor, bladder, pancreatic, and psychogenic pain syndromes. A reference list follows each description. The last chapter covers additional areas of TENS application, including sports medicine, improvement of muscle function, wound and fracture healing, treatment of venous stasis, and pruritus.

This book has a good flow and follows a logical sequence. The illustrations are an excellent supplement to the text. At the end of each chapter are an adequate reference list and a suggested reading list. Oriented toward physical therapy practitioners who use TENS in their practice, this manual is a good reference.