How to use a TENS unit?

The TENS unit we ordered arrived today.  It has 4 electrodes.  Anyone know where to place the electrodes?  I read online for back of skull/neck/back of head pains to place them on the trapezius muscle...  Any suggestions?  Also anyone ever used one and thought it helped?

[selmaS]

Hi...never used one am I am curious as to if it helps ur DH......I have no idea as to how and where to place the leads......

U may get some direction from someone in the PT field...they tend to use these, but make sure they r aware of ur DH condition.

"selma"

[survivor08]

Well, I am sure you have figured it out by now, but just in case someone else is reading that wants to know the same thing I will tell you.

First know that the electrode pairs conduct off each other.  so the 2 with blue ends work together and the 2 white ends work together.  They need to be placed accordingly.  They dont need to be right beside each other to work, but here is a good way to understand it:

If you take the 2 with blue ends and put them horizontally, the current will flow horizontally; if you put them vertically, the current flows vertically.

Placement suggestions:  Try placing the pads directly over the most painful spots, turn on and SLOWLY go up in power to see how it feels.  You maight have to move the pads a bit away from the most painful spot as the nerves my travel in various directions.  If you get a "stinging" sensation, then MOVE the pads b/c that means it is directly over an irritated nerve and irritated nerves get even more irritated and take it out on you.

Dont place pads over the bones or on the neck------even though I will put them on my neck, they dont stick very well and cant turn the current up very much cuz .....ouch.

My TENS unit have saved me from jumping in front of a train countless times!!!  (LOL)  My two complaints are:  sometimes difficult to get a good placement as this changes daily, and pain relief is WONDERFUL but when I have to take them off, pain is right back..........

[mikeysmom1995]

I learned how to place mine on my back at the physical therapy facility where I went for my back. I had one of the girls put permanent marker marks where the pads were to be placed so my hubby could place them at home. I tell you that I got such relief from this, and it was especially comforting because you could get relief without the use of pain meds. Good luck, and I hope you figure it out and get some relief.
Barb :)

[*Stormy*]

I am definitely going to ask my PT about buying one of these when I see her on Friday.

For most of you, is this an effective way to deal with the pain instead of taking meds? Even if it is only temporary...it is better than nothing for me!!

Also, is there a limit on how often you can use it? (can you backpack it and have it on all day LOL....)

Carolyn

[mikeysmom1995]

Hi Carolyn,

I don't know if you could wear it all of the time, but I tell you that I got alot of relief from wearing it on my back, and it sure beats taking all of the pain meds all the time. I got lasting relief from it after wearing it for  a couple of weeks. By that I mean I would wear it every night for a couple of hours while I was watching TV laying down. I can give you a false sense of well being as I got so much relief, but the PT said not to think I could go out and run a marathon, I told her no problem marathons were not my thing. LOL
I just think that when you don't hurt that it helps you to heal faster, and I really do believe this was the case for me.
It is certainly worth asking your PT about. Let me know if you have anymore questions.
Barb :)

[*Stormy*]

Thanks Barb I really appreciate your insight. I am definitely going to ask her about it, I have to figure out where I can get my hands on one too. Right now I just take over the counter meds but they are not doing the job and that is preventing me from doing my PT exercises b/c I feel like I am in pain all the time. So, I have decided that to be successful in building up my weak muscles I have to do something about the pain. The problem is that I react very badly to most pain meds so I feel like I'm in a no win situation. It's either be in pain all the time or go around feeling like a zombie...not good choices!! So, I am hoping this may be an answer for me, some relief is better than none at all!
Carolyn

[survivor08]

Definately get one.  There are two kinds and I will be my best to explain both in a condensed manner.

1)Muscle stimulator - this was my first one.  It has 8 pads for treatment and they can be placed where ever you choose.  Or you can get a vest that has designated places for the pads and so you just put the vest on.  I have done it both ways but prefer to place pads where I need them.  

Pros:  it has 8 pads which covers a greater area; you can go all the way up to 99 on the amount of stimulation.  It is an effective way to increase muscle tone in the areas that are weak.

Cons:  it only lasts 45 min then you have to wait about 2 hours to recharge it.  Many times I had it all the up to 99 and still wasnt strong enough.  The rechargeable battery will eventually give out on you, especially if you use it daily and you have to send the machine back to have it replaced and it is $$$. It is preset to a certain program by the specialist who brings it to you.  The programs are limited to choose from.  it is a rather large unit and not easily carried around if you are mobile.  When I say "large" it is about 8" tall and 5" wide.  I bought a fanny pack to hold it while I was using it.  I do everything with it on, train people, house work, etc. It beeps as you are running up the currents and you have to press the button for every single increase ex: 1,2,3,4,5,6,.......so if you run it up to 70 or 80 like i did, you have to press each button that many times and there are 4 buttons and each press beeps......hard to be inconspicuous with it.

TENS Unit:  it has 4 pads and goes up to 8 on amount of stimulation

Pros: I have never needed above 4 on the dial b/c it is so much stronger than the stimulator is so much more intense.  It runs off 9v batteries and comes with 2 rechargeable one so they can be replaced immediately when they run down.  Each battery can last up to 8 hours before needing recharged!!!!  It is a much smaller unit about 3" x 5" and has a built in clip for waist/belt. it hides easily b/c your top can cover it up if so desired.  You turn a dial to raise the current and no beeps when you do.  It also have 4 different programs to choose from.

Both of the above can be worn all day, every day as so desired, there are no side effects and certainly relieves muscle pain.  Highly recommended!

I dont wear mine very often anymore mainly b/c I FORGET I HAVE ONE AND/OR FORGET TO BRING IT WITH ME TO WORK UUUGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And b/c I hate it when I have to take it off b/c my pain is still there.  And it can be a pain in the bohunkus to get the pads on your back, in the right place by yourself.

I  

[mikeysmom1995]

Hey Carolyn,
My tens machine is a combination as well. I use it for the pain relief it gives me, but my son uses the the muscle stimulator part of it to strengthen his leg muscle from having 3 leg surgeries. I know that survivor 08 mentioned having 8 pads, but ours only has 4 pads when used for either the tens or the muscle stimulator.
I am not sure how it works in Canada but my son's PT wanted him to have the muscle stimulator to get his leg back in shape, but our insurance would only cover the combination unit which makes absolutely no sense since it is more expensive, so when I started my Pt for my back I was able to use my son's.
DS's Pt requested a script from the surgeon for the unit and then the PT ordered the unit for him.
I hope this helps you as I know what you mean about the pain meds, I don't like to take them either as I have a pretty low tolerance for most of them and end up drooling on the couch for half the day.
Barb :)

[*Stormy*]

Thanks guys that information is really helpful!! I really appreciate it.

In Canada things like that only get covered by extended health which we don't have being that my DH is self employed. So..I will be in it for the whole bundle! I'm sure I will be in for a shock when I hear the price. I will ask my PT which type she thinks is better for me as I do have a lot of muscle weakness as well...maybe I can work on both!

Carolyn

[survivor08]

My muscle stimulator cost a little ove $3000....IDR how much the TENS unit was for sure, but I am thinking it was around $2000?  Got both from RS Medical. I have the RS-4i and RS-TENS Plus.  They were both prescribed by my pain doctor so I didnt have any out of pocket expenses except for replacement pads and those are not very expensive.  The prices I stated above could be b/c insurance was paying for them, and might be less is no insurance help, idk.

here is there website:  http://www.rsmedical.com/default.asp

[*Stormy*]

Hi Everyone..

So I talked to my PT yesterday and she throught getting a TENS is a great idea for me. She actually tried to get me one for a free trial but I found out that they don't do that anymore. So..I am looking at either renting or buying. My PT thought that to buy they are under $200? That seems like a big jump from what survivor paid. Good point about the insurance though, maybe that's why. I'm going to call around today and see what I can find out.. Thanks again, your help was priceless!!

Carolyn