Hi there, I'm new but I know Ali

The information Ali provided was actually what I sent her , its part of a presentation handout my physio gives to teach other physio's here about CRPS and TENS

They have done research that shows that most TENS machines do not go up to the required frequencies so are usually a waste of time, for the people they may help, they are not getting the right settings to try.

200Hz and 75 us pulse width is the usual settings they use here, the ones they have found work the best. I had to get a specific TENS machine that went up to 200Hz.

TENS can upset some people with RSD but if you havent tried it, it is worth a shot especially if you are not sure about the SCS, TENS is a non invasive treatment.
You have to remember that with a TENS, you are in control, the first settings you dont even feel anything as the current intensity is so small, if you find you cant tollerate it, the first thing to look into is what intensity you have the machine set to (some days I can feel it at about 8ma and others I have it over 14 before I feel anything). Now I'm not saying this is the only reason, your body may not tollerate it at all like some of the people on here but its important to make sure its not just because you have it on the wrong setting first.

I use my TENS sometimes for over 8 hours a day as I find it helps with my pain coupled with meds etc.

For starting to use the TENS, you may not notice any pain relief for a while, for me it took a couple of weeks to notice the pain relief but I could see how I was coping with my uni day much better rather than notice less pain.

If you are going to try out the TENS, make sure you start out slow, and dont put the electrode pads on or close to your pain areas. Also just use it for an hour the first day, 2 the next, 3 the next see what I'm saying. Your body needs to feel ok about the machine or else it will reject it. Play with where you place the electrode pads, maybe you will place them either side of your spinal canal you may need to place them higher or lower, it all depends on your pain and how they feel, it may take a couple of trials before you find the comfortable places.

I use mine a couple of times a week a the moment since I'm on summer break but when I go back to uni I will probably use it most days. It just fits in my pocket and I can turn it up when I need to and I find it a great help.

If you have any specific questions just ask, I'm more than happy to try and help if I can.