Tens Unit Experience - YouLookFab Forum

As requested I am writing about my experience with the Tens Unit and my sciatic pain.

My husband picked this unit up on his Vegas trip and for a week I alternated heat and ice and wore a back brace with not much improvement. I asked him about trying it out and he gladly helped me.

I have no idea what settings he puts it on , but do know it is trial and error to find a comfort level that I will tolerate for 10-20 minutes. I do know that I like the kneading type rather than a pulsing motion.

After doing it the first time right before bed at a time of day when the pain was at it's worse level, I couldn't believe that it didn't hurt at all. I went to bed, pain free.... Let me just say that I was very skeptical of this machine and was just in such pain I was willing to try anything! The following morning I awoke with a very mild pain that built up as the day went on. Once again I used the Tens Unit for about 15 minutes, but this time I added it in behind my knee which was hurting from an injury exercising. Two days on me knee has done wonders... It is almost totally pain free! Going from a level of about 7 to that is wonderful....

I also have pain in my shoulder that goes along with my sciatica and used it there. Once again immediately after finishing treatment, I was astounded that the pain was gone and I mean completely gone... I did this before bed and went to sleep, awakening pain free, but alas like the sciatica in my lower back it comes back as the day progresses...

The most notable pain free experience has been that radiating pain down my buttocks , which I treated on the first day of usage and it has not returned at all.... Not a normal thing with my sciatica at all... It always radiates...

After day 3 of this I am sold on it's benefits since it worked on several areas. I am going to try to use it tomorrow before the sciatic pain begins and see what happens....

10 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

Wow! This sounds amazing. What is the name of your unit? I saw an infomercial with one by Dr. Ho that intrigued me but everything looks great in infomercials.
Two plus years ago I woke up in the night with the worst muscle spasm in my neck ever. I have no idea what triggered it. The pain was excruciating.....I couldn't even move. Couldn't even sit up on my own. I layed in bed crying then called for my husband. My head was frozen in place for days....couldn't turn side to side or up and down. The doctor gave me an anti-inflammatory and said it was muscular. It took several weeks to subside. But, it hasn't been right since. Varying amounts of discomfort....the muscles always feel tight and sore. Sometimes it gives me a headache. I wonder if a tens unit could get the muscles to relax since I don't seem to be able to relax them on my own.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

http://www.healthmateforever.c.....forever-hm...=

I am not sure if this is my exact model, but it looks like it compared to any other one on the site. My husband bought it in Vegas and it came with a stomach belt as well as massage shoes as well.

Marilyn, I am not big on making recommendations like this , but feel that after my experience that it couldn't hurt to try some version of this type of thing. Chronic pain is a terrible and I myself am willing to try anything to relieve it..

Thanks! I'll check that out and see what's available locally at the health care store. I'm willing to try anything as well. Chronic pain and stiffness are no fun and it has definitely affected my quality of life.

I hope you continue to have positive results with yours.

MsMaven

I've had PT treatments with Tens in the past, and I didn't know it could be used as a home treatment. I'm going to look into it, since I still have occasional pains from old injuries.

Thanks for sharing this information.

deb

I have a prescription TENS unit that I got after my arm surgeries. It really helps mask the pain. It really does help with nerve pain better than anything but acupuncture.

Anonymous

I'm so glad that worked for you. It didn't work for me, and I was in worse pain by the time I left the PT office. I think, though, that the person who was working with me didn't get it when I told him it's painful for me to lie down for very long. He had me on that table for a good long time, and my back was killing me. Of course, after that session I started going to a hospital-based PT office, where they came up with modified stretches that can be done without having to lie down.

Tracey I am happy to hear the TENS unit is helping you be pain free. My husband uses a TENS unit that he got via his orthopedist's office. He used it a lot initially but now only as needed. The unit itself is not really exoensive, but the pads are and good thing they are reusable. His unit came with a placement diagram depending on his pain issues.

My mom had one of these and she swore it did nothing, but I don't think she used it properly. I had a doctor's office use it on me for a nerve problem and it did nothing for me. But after I was properly diagnosed with an IT band issue, PT for my legs and stretching helped me overcome the problem.

What I want to emphasize is that while the TENS unit will help with pain issues, it does not necessarily address the issue that may be causing the pain. My husband does his stretches everyday and does strengthening exercises several times a week. He has bulging discs in his neck and lower back and had a major sciatica problem over a year ago for which he ended up getting an epidural and since then has been pain free for over a year.
@bettycrocker did your doctor ever get you on an aqua bed? My DH's PT office had him on one before getting stretched out. It is a heated water bed that has different rolling massage functions according to your pain level. My DH said that it immensely helped him as well, though he does not have the same issues you have.

A heated water bed with rolling massage functions sounds great! Heat and massage always seem to help me, but I've never been on one of those.

Sign me up for heated massaging water bed !

I agree that the Tens unit is by no means a cure to the actual problem. Helping the pain and peace ii offers makes it part of the solution.

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