There are no direct reported attempts to reduce inflammation with TENS that I could find. However there seems a reasonable case to be made for a limited ability to reduce inflammation in the area being treated. Might be a good question to put to the Medical Advisor since I am definitely not a doctor and a little knowledge is a dangerous thing sometimes. Here's a little light reading that might apply. My interpretations of some of the information is
[bracketed and in italics]. :sheep:
For reference:
Chapter 8: Pain Modulation and Mechanisms
http://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s2/chapter08.html
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
http://www.mstrust.org.uk/professionals/information/wayahead/articles/09022005_01.jsp
"Secondly TENS may also excite higher centres causing the release of endogenous opioids. These opioids have a descending inhibitory effect at the dorsal horn binding to receptors on nociceptive afferent neurones [
nerves that sense pain], so inhibiting the release of substance P "[
tells the brain you're in pain]
Targeting peripheral opioid receptors to promote analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions
http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fphar.2013.00132/full
"Peripheral tissue injury causes a migration of opioid peptide-containing immune cells to the inflamed site. This migration appears to be both centrally and locally regulated.
Exogenously [externally] stimulated systemic inhibition of pain [for example with morphine] has been shown to decrease the recruitment of β-endorphin containing immune cells in inflamed tissue [fewer immune cells less inflammation?] (Schmitt et al., 2003; Heurich et al., 2007), thus suggesting a role for central regulation.
The arrows denote an increased expression within inflamed tissue of cell adhesion molecules, opioid receptors, endogenous opioid peptides, and receptors for ligands that trigger opioid release on the surface of immune cells (e.g., CXCR2, IL-1 receptors, CRF receptors).
This all enhances the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the peripheral opioid pathway in inflammatory conditions." see article for illustration
Targeting pain and inflammation by peripherally acting opioids (technical article written for pharmacists)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3779927/
"Opioids can reduce pain and inflammation by activating opioid receptors outside the central nervous system. Inflammation of peripheral tissue leads to upregulation of opioid receptors on peripheral sensory neurons and to local production of endogenous opioid peptides in immune cells."
