Relief of acute musculoskeletal pain using transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation.

In the emergency department of Dover Air Force Base Hospital, a primary care facility for active duty, retired, and dependent patients, transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation was employed for six months as initial treatment for musculoskeletal pain in 34 patients with acute symptoms. Pain relief ranging from 0 to 100% was achieved in a variety of acute pain states. Only one patient did not obtain pain relief. Although some patients did not receive permanent relief from pain, a significant number of patients did benefit from this new modality.