What most people call the shoulder is actually several joints along with tendons and muscles, all of which work together to enable a wide range of motion in the arm; from scratching your back, to throwing a rugby ball. The shoulder’s amazing mobility can come with a price, with overuse leading to several painful conditions affecting it when you move, or all of the time if you’re unlucky. And although most will simply require rest and pain medications, using a TENS machine is a drug-free way to regain  mobility, while also helping with pain and stiffness.

There are three main bones in the shoulder; the upper arm bone or humerus, the shoulder blade or scapula, and the collarbone or clavicle. The head of the upper arm bone fits neatly into a rounded socket in the shoulder blade called the glenoid, and a combination of muscles and tendons, called the rotator cuff, keep the arm bone in place. Two of the most common shoulder problems are tendon inflammation or a tendon tear called bursitis or tendinitis, often caused by day-to-day activities which includes using gym equipment and playing sports.

Bursitis affects the small, fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near your joints. Pain occurs when bursae become inflamed due to overuse or frequent repetitive motion, making daily activities such as brushing your hair or getting dressed difficult and painful.

Meanwhile, tendinitis is inflammation in one of the tendons of the shoulder. Tendons are cords that connect muscle to bone, and the ones in the shoulder which are most commonly affected in tendinitis include the four rotator cuff tendons and one of the biceps tendons. This painful condition can be acute, caused by activities such as repetitive overhead activities during work, or playing sports. It can also be chronic, due to degenerative diseases such as arthritis, or wear and tear due to age.

For common shoulder issues such as these, treatment generally involves rest, using pain medications, and sometimes physiotherapy to help improve shoulder strength and flexibility. However, a Hidow Shoulder Wrap used with a PainPod or Hidow machine will not only help to minimise pain but also encourages faster healing.

Specifically designed to fit the shoulder, this innovative wrap features larger silicone conductive pads allowing you to isolate the front, back or each side of the shoulder as needed. It works by sending gentle electrical pulses through pads attached to the affected area, blocking pain signals that would otherwise be sent to the brain, and encouraging the body to produce endorphins to reduce pain naturally. The Shoulder Wrap is one size, and it’s also portable allowing you to treat your shoulder anywhere.

For more information about the various PainPod and Hidow machines and accessories, click here.