TENS therapy for asthma

TENS therapy for asthma: A natural tool for managing inflammation and improving breathing

According to the Global Asthma Report (2014), South Africa has one of the highest mortality rates from asthma in the world—despite the fact that asthma is both treatable and manageable. The report attributed this largely to the over-reliance on short-term medication for symptom relief, rather than strategies focused on long-term prevention. As an emerging complementary therapy, TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) offers a non-invasive, drug-free approach to reducing inflammation and improving respiratory health in asthma sufferers.

What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. The condition is driven by the body’s production of inflammatory compounds like cytokines and leukotrienes in response to allergens or irritants. These compounds cause inflammation in lung tissue, leading to airway constriction, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing.
The medical goal in asthma management is to reduce inflammation in the airways to prevent attacks and improve lung function. This is the principle behind many conventional asthma medications. Interestingly, TENS therapy has also been shown to reduce inflammatory markers, offering a similar pathway for managing asthma—without drugs.

Inflammation and TENS therapy
Cytokines like interleukin-1 (IL-1) play a key role in allergic reactions and asthma. While many pharmaceutical treatments aim to suppress IL-1 and similar markers, research has demonstrated that TENS and PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) therapies may also reduce their presence in the body.
In a post-operative study on PEMF therapy, researchers found that patients who received treatment had 275% lower concentrations of IL-1 beta in their wounds compared to untreated patients. Though this data wasn’t collected from lung tissue, it supports a broader trend: these therapies help reduce systemic inflammation, which can, in turn, benefit asthma management.

Clinical studies on TENS therapy for asthma
Several studies have specifically examined TENS therapy’s effect on asthma symptoms and lung function. In a randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Respiratory Physiology, researchers found that TENS therapy reduced the decline in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) in asthma patients. FEV1 is a standard measure used to assess lung health. A drop in FEV1, especially after exercise, is a common symptom in asthma patients.
The study found that TENS therapy helped prevent this decline, enabling patients to exercise longer and at higher intensities without triggering asthma symptoms.
Another randomized trial involving COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) patients confirmed these findings. Patients treated with TENS therapy experienced improvements in FEV1, supporting the therapy’s relevance in a broader spectrum of respiratory conditions.

TENS therapy and quality of life
While improving lung function is vital, quality of life is just as important—especially for those living with a chronic condition like asthma. In a study focused on children with asthma, researchers found that after eight weeks of TENS therapy, patients reported significant improvements in quality of life, as measured by the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire.
Better breathing, improved sleep, and more freedom to engage in daily activities were among the benefits reported, showing that TENS therapy may offer more than just physiological improvement—it can also enhance emotional well-being.

Key benefits of TENS and PEMF therapy for asthma
TENS and PEMF therapies offer a wide range of advantages for asthma management:
✅ Non-invasive and drug-free
✅ Minimal to no side effects
✅ Reduces inflammatory markers linked to asthma
✅ Supports improved breathing and exercise capacity
✅ May enhance overall quality of life
✅ Cost-effective for long-term use

Final thoughts
While asthma medications remain essential in many treatment plans, therapies like TENS and PEMF present exciting complementary options. They work by reducing inflammation at the cellular level and improving lung function—without the need for medication or invasive procedures.
If you’re looking for a natural, effective, and science-backed way to support asthma management, TENS therapy may be a valuable tool to explore with your healthcare provider.hma: A natural tool for managing inflammation and improving breathing