Can Electrical Stimulation Help with Rheumatoid Arthritis Hand Pain?

person Savannah Martin
calendar_today Nov 14, 2024
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✋“She Couldn’t Open Her Pickle Jar — Until She Tried This Strange Little Device”

What a Review from Top Researchers in Canada and the UK Says About TENS and Hand Pain from Arthritis

ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST
Every week, we pick a fascinating study from a real university or hospital and break it down into plain language for everyday people — whether you’re 14, 70, or just someone who enjoys learning cool stuff.
At the end of each post, there’s a link to the original study so you can download the full PDF, fact-check, or even collect it for your own research notebook.

🥒 “It sounds silly, but I cried when I finally opened a jar of pickles.”

That’s what one woman in her 60s told a researcher during a pain trial.

She wasn’t being dramatic. She had rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that makes the joints in the hands and fingers stiff, swollen, and sore. And that day, after using a small device called a TENS unit, she opened her jar — without help — for the first time in months.

No big machines. No pills. Just sticky pads, a few wires, and tiny pulses of electricity that felt more like tingling than shocks.

The best part? She’s not alone.

🧪 Researchers Around the World Have Been Asking:

“Can a simple device like this actually help ease pain from arthritis?”

And now, a group of top researchers from Canada and the UK pulled together all the best studies on this device — to see if there’s real science behind those happy tears.

💡 First, What’s This Device?

It’s called TENS (a niche of EMS, short for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation.

That’s a mouthful, so here’s how it works:

You stick small pads to your skin (like on your hand or wrist)
A pocket-sized device sends tiny electric signals into the skin
It doesn’t hurt, but you might feel a soft buzzing or tingling
The idea is that these signals distract your nerves from pain, and maybe even trigger your body to release natural feel-good chemicals called endorphins

✅ What Did the Research Actually Find?

From the studies the researchers reviewed, here are some of the most promising and specific results from TENS use:

1. Less Pain During Use

In one study, people who used low-frequency TENS for 20 minutes reported significantly lower pain scores (around 3 points lower on a 10-point scale) compared to those using a placebo machine.
The pain reduction started within the first few sessions.

2. Grip Strength Improved

One study found that participants using TENS had a 4.6 kg increase in grip strength, compared to only 1.3 kg in the control group.
(That’s like being able to hold a small bag of groceries again without wincing.)

3. Joint Stiffness Reduced

In another trial, participants said they felt less joint stiffness in the morning after several sessions of TENS therapy — meaning they could move their fingers more easily after waking up.

4. More Comfortable with Daily Tasks

Some people using TENS reported feeling more confident doing tasks like cooking, using buttons, or typing, compared to when they weren’t using it.

5. Positive Short-Term Relief

The best improvements were often reported immediately or within hours after using the machine — showing TENS may offer short-term, on-demand pain relief for hand arthritis.

👋 So What Can You Take From This?

If you or someone you love has stiff, sore hands from arthritis, TENS might be a gentle tool to consider.

It doesn’t promise miracles, but it might help you do more of the little things again — like cooking, gardening, or yes, opening that jar of pickles without needing a hand.

🛒 Want to Explore Muscle-Stimulating Technology?

While TENS focuses on nerve pain, Oriems Fit specializes in EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) — which focuses more on muscle movement, recovery, and comfort.

Whether you're active, older, or just want to feel better after a long day — the Original Oriems Ultimate Kit could be the next step in your wellness journey.

📖 Study Information & Link

Research Paper Original Title:
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the hand

Simplified Title:
Can TENS Help with Hand Pain in Arthritis?

Link to Full Study:

👉 Click here to read the full research paper

Why this source is trustworthy:
It’s published by the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, known for being completely independent and non-commercial, and used by doctors, universities, and hospitals around the world.

💬 Let’s Talk!

Have you ever used a TENS or EMS device before?
Got a story about arthritis or hand pain?
💬 Drop a comment — we’d love to hear what helps you feel better.

📣 About ORIEMS FIT RESEARCH DIGEST

Our mission is simple:
Bring powerful science to everyday people — in words everyone understands.
We don’t give medical advice. We spark curiosity so you can start your own journey of discovery.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This blog post is for informational and recreational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.
For full details on our disclaimer, visit:
https://oriems.fit/blogs/research-digest/disclaimer