I highly recommend the TENS units - If used correctly and consistently they can change the way your brain processes pain signals - and truly for the time I am using the TENS it is many times like the pain is gone.

The pain does return once you are done with the TENS session but if you continue to use it everyday once or twice even three times a day - even if you aren't in terrible pain - you change the neurons in your brain and you perceive the pain differently - and for many the pain is reduced significantly.

It takes a long time to achieve long term results using TENS and great discipline - most people only use it when they are in pain or in response to a pain jag etc...most people do not use it daily for 15-30 min sessions twice a day or even three shorter sessions....

Do not get discouraged - just stick with it. It doesn't matter which settings you use - use which ever settings work for your pain at whatever intensity. Remember - more is not better. Do not use for more than one hour per session.

The big key to success is consistency and long term discipline - consider it as important as say eating or even breathing....

I would also recommend learning meditation and/or deep breathing exercises to do while using the TENS unit. I know you are rolling your eyes right now and think meditation is for the birds....and "those kinds of people" - I used to think the same thing....

I learned how to meditate without even realizing what I was doing - I started praying the Rosary which I never believed in - and found that after a while I would fall into this extremely relaxed state within seconds of starting the Rosary(the Rosary is a bunch of beads that you can use and you say a prayer for each bead - look up prayer beads on Google it is very interesting)

After about two years of doing these prayer beads I started going to the library and renting CDs on meditation or went on the internet and wanted to know how to do it.....I realized that I had taught myself meditation through using the prayer beads....

The meditation, however you do it, changed my life - It impacts every daily life situation you encountered and you become more at peace and able to process situations including pain much differently....

The big kep to pain management is perseverance - it is most likely going to be wtih you every day for the rest of your life - so you try to learn coping skills that you can use for many years.....like TENS and meditation etc.

I have had 12 majory spinal surgeries and 100s of surgical procedures beginning at age 12 - I am currently 48. I have had spinal pain pumps, stimulators and been on ever drug available for pain....the best results I have gotten have been from exercise, stretching, TENS and meditation plus pain meds (I do not recommend narcotic pain meds unless absolutely necessary and remember you will always needs more and more as time goes on to get pain management - it is a viscious cycle if you are not very careful.)

I pray that you will find some information in the email helpful with your journey. (I would also advise that your family learn about chronic pain and what you are going through - most people have great misconceptions about pain and if your family has a better understanding they can support you better.)

K in WIS