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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Paradise
Posts: 855
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Paradise
Posts: 855
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Quote:
Originally Posted by taliainpain
Thank you all for advice and helpful thoughts... there were alot of questions...
im including a picture of the electric stimuli machine.. which the dr called a tens unit and after some research I have found its not a tens unit... its a pic from online... I also included a new pic of my neck after this treatment...
on Wen. I have an appointment with a different Dr. I got a copy of the mri so i could see for myself whats going on. It says I have spinal canal stenosis due to a 3mm posterior disc protrusion at c5/6 and a hemangioma within T1.
The current dr has not explained what that means or what the options are or treatment. He just keeps hooking me up to this machine every monday, wens, and friday... Yesterday my migraine was so bad my entire face went numb and i was crying in pain. Nothing over the counter would touch it and I tried every suggestion people gave me to help it...
Im hoping the dr wens can direct me in the right direction
if anyone has any suggestions from past experiences... please... i welcome advice... i feel because of my age maybe people dont take me seriously...  |
Hi taliainpain,
The picture is likely of an inferential unit. Older vernacular was "Russian Stimulation." Conventional muscle stim units are set at around 90-100 Hz for pain control. Intensity is problematic as the tingling can be uncomfortable. With inferential, there are two channels each with two pads, total of four. It is a sine-wave type unit so there is no net current transfer to cause skin burn. For example, the "red" channel will operate at 4000 Hz and the black one at 4100 Hz. The pads are placed as an example, 12 and 6 o'clock for the red and 9 and 3 o'clock for the black. Where the currents intersect, sets up an "interference" current in the shape of a "cross" with the net difference of 100 Hz, hence the amount needed for pain control. The reason for all of this is theoretically current is much less obnoxious at 4000 Hz (skin resistence is less at higher frequencies) vs. 100 Hz so you can get more pain relief that is more comfortable. Some of these come with little "suction" devices as pads that probably do nothing more than hold the pads on your skin and make you look like you have been attacked by an octopus.
A 3mm disc protrusion is normal for some and surgical for others. It all depends on your complaints and clinical findings. True stensosis with a 3 mm protrusion suggests you have other issues, facet arthropathy, marginal spurring, etc. Vertebral hemangioma is rarely more than an incidental finding.
Since true "whiplash experts" are a rare breed to find, at least find a surgeon, ortho or neuro, who is spine fellowship trained to help assess your findings and guide you on what you need. A good neuorologist should be able to help you with both treatment and determine causation of your headaches. Nothing wrong with a competent chiropractor, especially if you find one who is board certified in orthopedics or neurology.They can (or should) also direct referral to medical specialist, if needed.
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