TENS (Transdermal Electro Neural Stimulation) helps by;

- Interfering directly with pain signals. The TENS unit substitutes its own frequency and pulse.

- Interfering indirectly with pain signals by a process called lateral inhibition. If you stimulate a nerve, the adjoining nerves are inhibited. Instead of coming from a point like your locus of pain, the TENS stimulation comes from one or more large (1-2 inch across) pads, or better yet, in a Epsom salts solution bath so that the pain locus is inhibited.

- Stimulating the production of endorphins, the body's own natural pain killer and healing agent, in the synapses where nerves meet.

- There is a large body of research that TENS and other micro-electrostimulation help heal nerves and reestablish synapses.

TENS and other electrostimulators don't irritate the nerves, they calm them down IF USED PROPERLY!!

I don't use exclamation points often, but this is important. Understand what you're doing before doing anything to the damaged nerves and nerve endings in your poor feet, legs, spine, hands, etc.

Somebody in the old forum, for example, reported that the ReBuilder had caused bad pain that lasted for days. It turns out that they had turned up the level as high as it goes. As the instructions say, you're supposed to start where you can't feel it, and slowly increase the level to where you feel a tingle but no pain.

The same principle applies to ANY therapy, including pain killers and supplements. If a little is good and good for you, a lot may make it worse and may be extremely harmful.

Thank you David.

Tomorrow Alan has his appointment with the neurologist. He's going to ask her about the TENS Unit.

We shall see!!!

Will update.

Melody

Im 60 and i really enjoyed Thanks Sue PS we are getting that
Texsa rain,going to have to watch it somemore tonight. Hope your all
ok.

you do not find yourself in a situation of 'floating away' ....not by choice!
What we think of firm earth does sometimes change? - j

Sounds like there are non-lethal alternatives to some of this pain - need to look into some of the OTC creams mentioned and also if insurance covers any of the electronic units? I know for my back - the doc said tens wasnt strong enough - mentioned another machine that might work but was very expensive and non-covered - so not an option for now..... for the buzzing legs - David - does tens really help that? The ice is something I can try - but at night cant imgine getting up at midnight and soaking my feet! (my head mybe!)

Its been suggested by several wise members I have genetic testing for drug intolerances - so am going to look into this with my doc as we may be able to find something I can tolerate.... (I'm the poster girl for adverse drug reactions)

So we keep moving forward and hoping to find the right combo for each of us!

TENS units can be stronger than you can stand, but the current stays pretty close to the skin. EMS gets deeper, but is better for muscles than nerves.

Interferential units are strong enough and the pulse frequency and wave-form is adjustable for both muscles and nerves. They get much deeper than TENS, EMS, or the ReBuilder. They're not expensive, but the supplies can add up. I got my interferential unit at>>>>> oops, I must have deleted all the links and email to it. This is the unit MrsD recommended, and several links to companies that sell it. My physical therapist uses the IF 4000 when his big unit is in use. It works great:

http://www.medicalproductsonline.org...ential-if.html
(high price - pay by Paypal*)
http://www.med1online.com/pc-12508-2...nit-77719.aspx
(low price...but no instruction manual, and a different brand name. It looks the same as the IF 4000)
http://www.tartangroup.com/store/ite...1&ITEM_ID=1779
http://fitnessproductsplus.com/ecom....25&gotopgnum=1
(good price for IF-4000, with manual and case - pay by Paypal*)
http://www.amazon.com/Channel-Interf...3064954&sr=8-2
http://www.egeneralmedical.com/dual-...tens-unit.html (web site of the company that supplies Amazon...selling the same unit for $30 less than Amazon - pay by Paypal*).

* Paying by Paypal offers very cheap return insurance if you feel more comfortable with that, and Paypal gives you an extra layer of security since you don't have to type in your credit card number again after you're registered with them. That being said, I've had nothing but good experiences with online medical supply vendors.

the 'accupoint' pen version...Let me tell you that DOES set off NERVES big time! If you mean the attach contacts and plug in kind, whole different kettle of fish.
I guess My concern would be regarding stimulation of one severely sensorily compromised and the ultimate safety of such contact instruments...IF one can feel NOTHING from a particular area [all nerve endings being compromised] any contacts could be doubly/triply-dangerous would they not?
IF it were my back, spine and related areas, it shouldn't be a problem, but with the peripheral areas...I have not found much to direct appropariate therapies other than the tens-accupoint...do you know of any particular research or feedback regarding this tool that might be beneficial?
For me it is the 'sensorily dead' peripherals...I found for a short term of PT that That Pen worked in waking up dead nerves...or dormant ones? It did wake them up BOLDLY! Justification for the appliance would be a whole other matter. According to one PTherapist, a script has to be written and 'instructions' given..I was the one who found the 'protocols' for the therapists in the 2 different handbooks..Duh. How hard can it be?
Issue for me is I do not have any 'breakthrough' pain...it is constant, unrelenting, unremitting, and unforgiving. Please articulate the differences...I believe some new folks here do not know of these differences.
I have done "Alexander, Feldenkrais, Rolfing, reflex, accupressure, T.E.A.M. techniques and a few others. Some experiences have been with national 'gurus' of these philosphies....and/or their acolytes... But I went in well versed and grounded as to what I viewed the pros and cons' of any approach to 'HEALING'. I still do. I will end here. - j