Safe use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy

Author(s): E. Crothers, Y. Coldron, T. Cook, T. Watson & W. Notcutt - Pages: 22–26

Abstract

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used by pregnant women for many years without any reported side effects for either mother or baby. In clinical practice, TENS is not the first treatment of choice for women presenting with musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy. However, if pain remains a significant factor, then TENS is preferable to the use of strong medication that could cross the placental barrier and affect the foetus. When a pregnant woman presents with low back pain and/or pelvic girdle pain, including symphysis pubis dysfunction, TENS may be beneficial if the pain is persistent or is a hindrance to further improvement, especially when the alternative is medication that would cross the placental barrier. Although no side effects from the use of TENS during pregnancy have been reported in the literature, specific potential areas of concern are the induction of uterine contractions, the effects on foetal heart conduction and the possibility of teratogenic effects induced in the foetus. This paper presents guidelines for the safe use of TENS for musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy.

Keywords: musculoskeletal pain, pregnancy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.