Alternative therapies like massage, acupuncture, and acupressure have all shown great results in the area of pain management, particularly when related to muscles. Essentially, all three practices involve the application of pressure to the muscles, thus relieving aches and pains. In massage, human or mechanical forces are used to rub and knead muscles to relieve built-up tension. In acupuncture, thin needles are used to prick muscles in certain points, again with the aim to relieve built-up tension. Acupressure is based on the same principles as acupuncture, but instead of using needles, the pressure is applied to the human hand.

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Apart from just feel good relaxation and pain relief, all three modalities also come with long lists of other health benefits. One common benefit found across these therapies is the improving of circulation. This one benefit in itself results in a range of many other health benefits, like increasing energy levels, easing digestion, improving skin tone and elasticity, and boosting overall organ health, just to name a few. Another common benefit of these modalities is that they are all said to boost mood. Massage, acupuncture and acupressure are all completely natural ways to decreasing stress, anxiety and depression while improving emotional stability and mood. In fact, being completely natural, they are forms of therapy that are side effect free. Unlike modern medical drugs, you don’t have to worry about developing dependence or tolerance or other complications when going for a session of massage or acupuncture/pressure. The only downfall to these natural therapies might be the price. It can be costly to maintain regular visits to such therapists.

That’s where the Unimed TENS massager is so amazing. It works in a similar manner to massage, acupuncture and acupressure, and thus presents many similar benefits, including improving circulation and boosting emotional state and mood. But you only have to pay once! And you don’t have to make and keep appointments in a therapist’s office. Simply apply the electrode pads to pressure points on your body as you desire, and lay back to relax in the privacy of your own space. Not sure where those pressure points are? Don’t worry, the Unimed massagers come with a detailed instruction booklet that outlines the pressure points across the body and where you will receive the most benefit from the TENS electrodes. Try one today!

Heard the new saying, "sitting is the new smoking"? There is significant evidence that sitting for a prolonged time negatively affects our health, and is a social epidemic comparable to smoking.


People sit an average of 7-15 hours during the day, whether at work, in the car, or at home watching TV. But regardless of age, sex, weight, health or even whether someone gets plenty of exercise, the very act of sitting for long periods of time increases your risk of obesity, chronic disease and even premature death. Sitting increases the risk of disability, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental health issues like depression, to the extent that experts are labeling this modern-day health epidemic the “sitting disease.” The longer you sit, the greater your risks become.

When you sit:
<ul>
<li>electrical activity of your leg muscles shut off</li>
<li>calorie burning drops every minute</li>
<li>enzymes that help to break down fats drop by 90%</li>
<li>good cholesterol drops by 20% within 2 hours of sitting</li>
<li>insulin effectiveness drops by 24% and risk of diabetes rises within 24 hours</li>
</ul>
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Most people simply aren’t moving or even standing enough to counteract all the harmful effects of sitting for hours on end. It really is just like smoking. Smoking is bad for you even if you get lots of exercise. So is sitting too much. Ideally, you should not sit for longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Thus the impact of movement, even leisurely movement throughout the day, can be profound. If nothing else, just stand up every 20 minutes, stretch, then sit back down. Of course if you can take a quick walk, this is even better. You will improve your body’s physiological responses, lessen your chance of stroke and heart disease and improve your brain function.

Can’t get up to stretch or walk? Here is another great reason why the Unimed TENS Massager units are so invaluable. Have to drive long distances? Have a job where you are required to sit for extended periods? Taking a long flight? Simply attach the TENS electrodes to muscles on your back or legs, and the electrical impulses will allow your muscles to continue working, right there while you sit :)

Chronic pain affects about 100 million American adults, and costs our nation up to $635 billion each year (2012, National Institute of Health). Pain is officially a public health problem.

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Not surprisingly, pain medications are a go-to solution for most of us who experience such pain on a regular basis. But did you know that pain medications are actually highly overused? A consumer report published in the Washington Post (2011) reports a study that found one in four people who used over-the-counter pain relievers every day routinely took more than the recommended dose. This is very scary, since even nonprescription pain blockers can have serious side effects like kidney problems, stomach ulcers and bleeding, particularly when used persistently.

Pain medications can also cause physical dependence and even tolerance, requiring greater doses to continue their effectiveness. Considering also the financial cost of over the counter drugs, it’s not hard to see that this pain/pain medication cycle is a serious problem.

So what are your options? Of course the most obvious and beneficial option to your personal wellness and the public health is prevention. Leading a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise will ensure in most cases that your body works optimally, thus preventing pain. Other options include natural health therapies like herbal medicines, massage and acupuncture, which have all shown effectiveness against chronic pain.

Or you can use a Unimed TENS Massager. A once-off purchase of a Unimed Massager will give you hours and hours of pain relief and relaxation in the privacy of your own home, without the need for drugs and their side effects. Backed by a 5 year warranty, our TENS devices use state-of-the-art TENS and EMS technology to reduce your pain by blocking the pain messages sent from your achy muscles to your brain, whilst also causing the release of endorphins, or the “happy chemical” of the brain. This leaves you feeling relaxed, pain-free, drug-free, side-effect free, and with more dollars in your pocket :)