TENS unit

[karen717]

I wondered if anyone has a TENS unit? My doc. gave me a scrip for one, but I haven't checked on it yet. My thought is that it would help those big muscles across my upper back that hurt SOOOOOOO bad. Any thoughts on these TENS units?

[feelingempty]

My dr. ordered one & i have JUST been using it on a daily basis recently.  It SEEMS 2 really help.  I could barely walk for OVER a wk. UNTIL i started using it. And within a day i could stand up straight & walk easier.    My only issue so far is the sticky pads just DON"T stick long enuff'.  It cost around $900 BUT w/ my insurance i only had to pay $90 for the unit.  And once  a month they mail me the electrodes/pads & I end up paying a whole $9 for em'.  I AM going 2 try the high humidity ones next month. SINCE it's SO humid, sticky & hot where i live.

I guess the unit works by sending a signal to our brains telling us it doens't hurt. I'm not real sure just how it all works i just now it does. *LOL* They gave me a sh*t load of info w/ it. And i've only read a bit thus far. My roomie is halarious & says it's ALL theory NO real hard core facts are based that it works. BUT i'm like, "oh well, as long as it gives me some relief i'm using it"! *LOL*

If u do get one give us some feedback i'd love to hear how it helps you!
THIS board IS addicting i gotta get some work done be4 i get busted. *LOL*  

Have a super weekend

[mcclos10]

What is a tens unit?  I have no idea what it is I don't think and would really like to know.

[karen717]

A TENS unit is a portable device you can wear on your belt or whatever. It has pads and wires. To the best of my knowledge, it sends vibrating pulses through the wires to the muscles where you put the pads. I guess you could compare it to what is sometimes used in physical therapy. (that's where I learned about it) You can control the intensity of the pulses. When they used one on my shoulders at PT, it really helped a lot. I know a portable unit is not the same, but works similarly.

[jenka]

a tens unit sends electrical pulses through 4 nodes into desired spots. resulting in muscle twitching and pain relief.

it is used to treat deep tissue damage, large muscle spasms, large/small muscle pains, and any pain associated.

these tens units are good but you have to turn them up to max.. best way they work however, the relief is only temporary as soon as you take the nodes off your back in pain.

[Toomanyadvil]

When I first used a TENS it was really beneficial. My condition worsened so it became less effective, but for most conditions its a great add on to treatment.
The electrical impulse that the TENS untit puts out is ment to confuse the pain signal thats being sent to your brain.

I hope you do decide to give it a try and as feelingempy mentioned sometimes your insurance will help cover a bit of the price.

TMA

[karen717]

I will look into getting it. I think my ins. will cover it. I have great ins. I'll let you know if it helps or not.

[sandee1818]

I was doing some research on them and seen where there are some sites you can get one for as little as 25 $. They are usually covered and are about 150$ but you will only have a co pay.

[karen717]

Again counting my blessings! What my insurance doesn't cover, my husband's picks up and pays as a secondary. I've been told it won't cost me anything so I have no reason not to go for it. Still, for some that ins. doesn't pay, that's good info. For those of us in pain, what's $25 for a little relief? Thank you for researching this.

[fluffypurrcat]

Hi, I have had a TENS unit for at least 5 years now, I worked better in the begginning and now I have a second one that they sent me for free. I have not had to pay for any of the units or the supplies as my injury is Workmans Comp. I was told they were both about a thousand dollars. My biggest problem is that the unit is not good if you are to wear it and walk arouond and do your daily businnes. The first time I sat on the bus I was wearing one, and unfortuantly one of the sticky pads stuck to my shirt and came undone, a big mistake. I got a big jolt and almost jumped out of my seat.
The wires have a hard time sticking if you are to walk around wearing one and have a tendancy to come undone or stick to your clothes, around the pants line, etc, and then you can get a big shock. Once you have been shocked, you are reluctnat to put it back on again. Like Toomanyadvil said, in the begginning it worked pretty well, but the more I have used it, the less it seems to work. It is mostly for short term use when I have a flare or bad muscle spasms. Luckily I never had to pay for it, so it is there when I want to.

If you can get your insurance company to spring for it, it is worth a try, even if it is only temporary, any pain releif is better than none. Good luck.         Fluffypurrcat

[Tuckamore]

I beleive anything that may help your pain (as long as it's legal) is worth a try. I have used a TENS unit in the past and it did not help me.  The electrical pulses that the unit puts out is meant to interfer with the electrial nerve impulses that normally exsist within our body. It's goal is to stop, change or slow the pain impulses that our brain recieves by confusing it with the artificial electrical pulses from thr TENS Unit asTMA said. My skin was so sensitive to the impulses that it just added to my pain, that said I have heard many others claim relief from the unit. I recommend that you "try it" before you buy it. Usually the PT Department of your local hospital will allow you to "rent" one of their units as long as it is RX by a physician. You may want to speak to your Doc regarding PT. I hope this info helps. Pain is no fun, to say the least. Take Care, Tuck