Pain control with electrical stimulation

A general study of the clinical effectiveness of massage by Ernst (1994) used numerous trials, with and without control groups. A variety of control interventions were used in the controlled studies including placebo, analgesics, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and so on. There were some positive effects of vibrational or manual massage, assessed as improvements in mobility, Doppler ow, expiratory volume, and reduced lymphedema in controlled studies. Improvements in musculoskeletal and phantom limb pain, but not cancer pain, were recorded in controlled studies. Uncontrolled studies were invariably positive. Adverse effects included thrombophlebitis and local in ammation or ulceration of the skin. 

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