topic Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit in Wellness

I just ordered a Tens Unit

June Lands — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 21:54:29 GMT

hope it will give me some temporary pain relief neck , shoulders, arms.... Before bedtime. I am desperate. PT is helping some....anyone else use a Tens Unit?

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

Nightowlz — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:04:52 GMT

Yes I do. I think it was your post about sleeping & pain & I replied I use it. Matter of fact I had it on my shoulder when I posted a reply & have it on my shoulder right now. It works for me. Hope it helps you out of some of your pain. I have to do something when I'm in a lot of pain as it makes me really nauseated. Be sure to look through the owners manual before you use it. It shows where to put the pads when you use it & where not to put them. There is one pic that shows do not put them on the neck or throat area. Don't use on face or chest area. I put one pad right up by my neck & one pad on my shoulder for my shoulder pain. Sometimes I have to move them around after turning it on to get them in the right spot to get more relief. Mine came with a dvd so hopefully yours will also.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

June Lands — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:26:11 GMT

Thank-You for replying! I imagine there is a learning curve to using it. You have been most helpful!

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

dooBdoo — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:45:09 GMT

I've used one for years. I used one for a while after a back injury, when I absolutely had to be at work and needed it as part of the PT and pain control (that one was on loan, since I didn't need it long-term). Later, at the advice of my physical therapist and physician (treatment for atypical chronic migraines) I purchased one to use on my upper back, shoulders, and back of the neck.

I always advise people to check with their doctor, because often if they prescribe the device your insurance will pay all or part of the cost.

In general, it's really better to learn to use a TENS unit with the help of a medical professional. I agree, be sure to follow the instructions, especially in placing electrodes in the neck area because you might cause a problem there.

It's an extremely helpful device in certain cases and when used properly.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

sfnative — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 02:29:26 GMT

I've used a TENS for several years now pre and post-op low back surgery. I have it on now, though I don't use it all the time and I don't wear it to bed, though I do know people who do.

It really helps me through these days prior to Christmas, when I'm so busy at the sewing machine, cutting out pattern pieces, sewing again, crocheting, knitting, sewing again. It's been heck the last few weeks, that's for sure!

I hope you receive great relief from your new unit. Take note not to order the really cheap electrodes, as they are gooey and the stuff gets all over your fingers and alcohol is needed to clean one's back of the goop as well.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

ANewHue — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 02:47:33 GMT

Yes I had a medical grade one for quite a few years but had problems with the pads. So I just purchased Tony Little's a few months ago and I love it! I misplaced one of the connectors and had to order one and their CS is excellent.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

Mom2Dogs — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:26:36 GMT

Yes I have one...both DH and I use it....

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

Kachina624 — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:49:36 GMT

I was prescribed one by PT for my back. After a couple month my insurance company bought it for me. It never did a thing for my back pain, although I gave it a long, fair trial.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

NYC Susan — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 05:33:59 GMT

On 12/18/2014 Kachina624 said: I was prescribed one by PT for my back. After a couple month my insurance company bought it for me. It never did a thing for my back pain, although I gave it a long, fair trial.

I had one this past summer, paid partially by my insurance company. I was given one-on-one instruction by a specialist in my doctor's office, and it was really pretty simple.

However, it did nothing for me so I ended up returning it. The CS reps told me that there is a high rate of returns.

Like you, Kachina, I felt that I had given it a long, fair trial.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

tuscaloosa — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 07:59:51 GMT

I have TMJ. While receiving physical therapy many years ago the head of the department gave me one of their units. It is medical grade. I order the pads online. It helps with the pain and I have also put it to other uses. Late at night after a podiatrist removed part of my toe nail I really was in pain. I used my tens unit for total pain relief.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

spent2much — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 08:14:50 GMT

I've been using a TENS for about 30 years. Don't know what I would have done without it (lower back pain). I buy them myself online now. Just listen to all the advice listed above - you need to be shown exactly where to put the pads (and where not to use them). I wish you the best!!!!!!!!!!

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

Abby Grace — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 12:33:37 GMT

I've been using a Tens unit for a few years as part of my pain relief strategy.Sometimes I get a little relief, and other times, I get almost total relief. I was taught how to use it in physical therapy, and use it at least once a week. Good luck in your search for relief!

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

emmysmom — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 18:10:40 GMT

Did you order it from HSN?? I need to try it..please post your results!

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

June Lands — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:10:19 GMT

On 12/19/2014 emmysmom said:
Did you order it from HSN?? I need to try it..please post your results!

Another poster on the thread said they bought Tony Littles off of HSN and was very pleased with it. I bought mine off of overstock.com based on lots of 5 star reviews.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

abbeythe 8th — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:15:19 GMT

On 12/18/2014 Kachina624 said: I was prescribed one by PT for my back. After a couple month my insurance company bought it for me. It never did a thing for my back pain, although I gave it a long, fair trial.

I had one prescribed for use on my back. I never noticed any significant relief.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

ANewHue — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 22:20:21 GMT

On 12/19/2014 emmysmom said:
Did you order it from HSN?? I need to try it..please post your results!

Yes I did purchase from HSN. I like the fact it came with the belt and it also came with a holder you can slide on your pants or shirt to hold the unit. My medical grade one had a clip that broke after not too many uses. It's light too, my other one although small it was heavy and was cumbersome and constantly fall off. There are many functions. CS was excellent when I recently called. This was a good purchase for me.

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

sfnative — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:36:30 GMT

On 12/18/2014 tuscaloosa said:
I have TMJ. While receiving physical therapy many years ago the head of the department gave me one of their units. It is medical grade. I order the pads online. It helps with the pain and I have also put it to other uses. Late at night after a podiatrist removed part of my toe nail I really was in pain. I used my tens unit for total pain relief.

O/P,

I had to come back to this thread and tuscaloosa's comment, which I have bolded above. There are many different grades or types of TENS units. I received mine from my pain specialist and it is "medical grade" and made by "BioMedical Life Systems." This unit is fantastic.

I need to tell you though that when I first started using it, the tingling irritated me. Not my skin - my conscious self. In the beginning, it was like a constant irritant that was affecting the mood I was in, so I stopped using it. Also, I didn't think it was doing any good. Fast forward 6 months when my back pain really, really increased and I had lots of painful spasm that prevented me from turning to the right or left. OMG, it was horrible. So I got out the TENS unit, and told myself to give it another go. I placed 4 electrodes on my back and started out at 2 bars. I was really comfortable with that. In about 2 weeks, I increased the level of stim to 3 bars, which is what I use most of the time now. For me, this was the break-through - a gradual break-in. Actually, this week and last weekend I've been doing a lot of sewing and have bumped the unit up to 4 bars. I could not have completed the 4 day project without my TENS unit, which in the beginning I thought was a waste of my co-payment.

I really hope you can find some relief. I has been a blessing for me!

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

dooBdoo — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 21:43:21 GMT

On 12/23/2014 sfnative said:
On 12/18/2014 tuscaloosa said:
I have TMJ. While receiving physical therapy many years ago the head of the department gave me one of their units. It is medical grade. I order the pads online. It helps with the pain and I have also put it to other uses. Late at night after a podiatrist removed part of my toe nail I really was in pain. I used my tens unit for total pain relief.

O/P,

I had to come back to this thread and tuscaloosa's comment, which I have bolded above.

There are many different grades or types of TENS units.

I received mine from my pain specialist and it is "medical grade" and made by "BioMedical Life Systems." This unit is fantastic.

I need to tell you though that when I first started using it, the tingling irritated me. Not my skin - my conscious self. In the beginning, it was like a constant irritant that was affecting the mood I was in, so I stopped using it. Also, I didn't think it was doing any good. Fast forward 6 months when my back pain really, really increased and I had lots of painful spasm that prevented me from turning to the right or left. OMG, it was horrible. So I got out the TENS unit, and told myself to give it another go. I placed 4 electrodes on my back and started out at 2 bars. I was really comfortable with that. In about 2 weeks, I increased the level of stim to 3 bars, which is what I use most of the time now. For me, this was the break-through - a gradual break-in. Actually, this week and last weekend I've been doing a lot of sewing and have bumped the unit up to 4 bars. I could not have completed the 4 day project without my TENS unit, which in the beginning I thought was a waste of my co-payment.

I really hope you can find some relief. I has been a blessing for me!

sfnative, this is such a good point worth repeating.

It's one of the reasons it's best to purchase a device after talking with a health care professional. That gives us a much better chance of getting the one that's well-suited to our needs, and sometimes insurance will cover all or part of the cost (and in some cases we can use one on loan to see if it's going to be worth the purchase).

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

esmeraldagooch — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 02:42:20 GMT

We have two units. You can get extra electrode pads cheap on eBay

Re: I just ordered a Tens Unit

esmeraldagooch — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 02:44:03 GMT

Our chiropractor sold ours to us.