4. Tens Machine
A tens machine is a device that sends a small electric current through any area. You use it by attaching two slightly damp pads which will, in turn, be plugged into a device that has mains or battery power. The charge is very small, so this won’t cause any damage. However, the idea is that you will run it through the same area where you feel the pain, and this, in turn, will help to effectively ‘scramble’ the nerve that is causing the pain.
Remember, our bodies run on electricity. The signals carried by our nerves are electrical impulses. Thus, when you add more electrical impulses, you make it harder for the body to get a ‘read’ on what is going on. In this case, you are sending a message that might create the sensation of pins and needles, but it will hopefully obfuscate the actual pain.
Different people will find this option more or less effective, but it’s worth a try and at the very least, it should offer some distraction from the pain.
Don’t have a tens machine to hand? If you happen to own an ab trainer or another EMS training device, then you might be able to use that on a very low setting!