This therapy involves applying mild electrical pulses to the tibial nerve, which runs down the leg, through electrodes placed on the skin near the ankle. A small, battery-powered device called a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit generates these pulses. This technique is often employed for managing specific bladder and bowel conditions, including overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence. It can also be used for other conditions like pelvic pain.
Delivering controlled electrical stimulation to the tibial nerve is believed to influence neural pathways that control bladder and bowel function. This can lead to improvements in symptoms such as urgency, frequency, and incontinence. This non-invasive approach offers a potential alternative or complement to pharmaceutical interventions, and its relatively low-risk profile contributes to its appeal. While the exact mechanisms are still under investigation, the clinical use of this method has shown promising results for many individuals.
