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TENS/EMS Machine

Posted , 8 users are following.

constance.de
constance.de

Someone on here mentioned TENS machines - whoever it was THANK YOU!

I decided to give it a try although I don't usually believe these, what I call, 'gimmicky' things.  And surprise surprise it works.  It's not miraculous, of course, but I think, given time, it will actually help my pains (hips, knees, ankles).  I've tried pain gels but had only slight to middling success.

If nothing else, it is totally relaxing.  Each pad goes on the pain areas for ten minutes, there are several levels.  I use it twice a day lying on my bed, so that is one hour of gentle massage per day.  That can't be bad, can it?

Thought others might like to try it.  It's perhaps a little expensive if it doesn't work for you, but 'nothing ventured..........'.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • faye______00403
    faye______00403 constance.de

    Posted

    IF you're in the U.S. you can usually buy one of these units from

    a local chiropractor.   It cost about $50 at mine.  Cheap enough to

    be worth a try to help with pain.

  • kimberly04963
    kimberly04963 constance.de

    Posted

    I think the TENS machine is best thing ever invented. I use mine every day for pain in my shoulders and lower back. My GP cut my prednisone dose by 5mg and now I'm crazy in pain. I've started taking 20mg on my own and will see new rheumi on Monday. I hate the side effects of the pred but I don't see me coming off it any time soon.
    • EileenH
      EileenH kimberly04963

      Posted

      The drop of 5mg is possibly as much to blame as the level you are now at - 5mg drops is for doses above 25mg and other sorts of illness where pred is required. In PMR it must be small reductions at a time - below 20mg 2.5mg is more than enough and 1mg far better.

      Look on it positively though - your rheumy would see you in full-on pain and you can tell them how much better you were on a higher dose. 

    • kimberly04963
      kimberly04963 EileenH

      Posted

      Yes I agree with you 100%. The docs here don't have any idea how to treat PMR. These young GPs trying to tackle things that's better left up to the specialists. Can't wait for Mon to arrive.
  • EileenH
    EileenH constance.de

    Posted

    If you are in the UK it is worth asking at your GP or the local hospital physio department whether they have one that you can borrow to see if it works for you before buying one for yourself. Some departments also have some for sale themselves - saving on cost as they have bulk buy discounts. 

    There is at least one that is designed for using on a continual basis  for period pain - it is small and portable, hooking onto a belt or in a bag. It is possible that one like that might be useful for people who want to use it while walking - just a thought.

  • lucy82013
    lucy82013 constance.de

    Posted

    Hi Constance

    It may have been me who mentioned the Tens machine. It is used widely by physios in the NHS on the instructions of consultant rheumatologists, Orthopaedic surgeons .That is my  experience anyway. May I just point out that there are contra indications to using a TENS which are listed on the instructions.Pharmacists are normally aware of these and it may be worthwhile speaking to the ppharmacist when considering buying the tens or to a dr or physio.

     for convenience sake.

    I somsetimes take one out with me just in case.

    Expensive. Well I paid about thirty pounds for the first one and £71 for the second one .

    I think that the TENS is based on interrupting the pain messages being transmitted to the brain. As you have pointed out the machine relieves spasms of muscles which of course also helps with pain relief.

    When I went to physio each week the physio would put a very large tens pad on my back and bandage it in place for 30 mins. Afterwards she taught me very gentle back, hip, ankle, neck, shoulder exercises.

    She lent me a small tens machine to use at home in between times. Obviously each individual should really seek advice from a physio or dr in case there are any contraindications in their particular case.

    anyway glad you have felt it helpful that is great news!! Lucy.

    • lucy82013
      lucy82013 constance.de

      Posted

      You are welcome. BTW a physio told me thhat the TENS can aggravate peripheral neuropathy, however I have learned that it is best to ask around.

      Has anyone heard about interferential tretatment? Hope I have spelt it correctly!!THey are supposed to be similar to tENs but at a deeper level. I don't know  whether they are suitable or not, I know nothing about them.

      BTW the more expensive TENS machine has electrodes that last longer. Swings and roundabouts situation I guess.

      There is also an Obstetric TENS. In reality it's usage is multi purpose.

      Lucy.

  • Sheilamac_Fife
    Sheilamac_Fife constance.de

    Posted

    I mentioned it at one point because I found it was the only thing that helped relieve the pain pre diagnosis and therefore pre Prednisolone. It enabled me to have some sort of a life....

    Lloyds Pharmacy had them on at a very reasonable price and the pharmacist's advice was very helpful. 

    So glad you find it useful!

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