Well the day has finally come when we took out the TENS thing that my friend lent us. I was afraid to go near it. Didn't want to electrocute him.

Yesterday during his physical therapy appointment, I took it out to show the guy. He said "oh, this is great, us it wherever you have pain". I said "I have no idea how to use this thing". He took the hand-set part of it, opened it up, programmed it (I gather he set the pulse and the width and the timer thing). He closed it up, he showed me where to attach the electrodes and he said:

"get your own electrodes, you don't want to use anyone else's electrodes.

So he said 'just turn it on, give it to him, and let him adjus the dial he can turn it up further , but start at one.

So I bought 4 electrodes for $7.00 at the Medical Supply Store.

Today, I just put two on each of his lower calves (that's where they do it at the physical therapy place).

I turn the two little dials on the top and I started at one.

Alan said "give that thing to me," and he juiced it up to the last number. Which means he turned the dials as far to the right as they would go.

It went off after 30 minutes. He just asked me to put the electrodes on his lower back. So he's laying inside on the couch with these 4 electrodes on his lower back.

Now I have no idea if juicing it all the way to the right is what he's supposed to do but that's what he did.

I'll try it later on one of my knees. The guy said to me "you can keep this on as long as you need to".

So if anyone has success or tips as to where else I can place these (for example, Alan has neuropathy between certain toes), can I put these on the top of his feet?

Now that I know how to use these things, well I know how to use it!!!

Oh, I have an important question about my using it.

I have no problem putting it anywhere on my body (my arthritis), but since i don't like anything of a vibrating nature anywhere near my feet, well...when my feet burn, where do I place these electrodes? will it stop the burning?? or will it drive me nuts and vibrate my nerves??

I do not want that.

Thanks much

I had two, and honestly it didn't do much for pain but cranking it up would move an entire limb, and fast.

Perhaps mine had some beefed up voltage.

I did find that if I cranked it up too high, two days later, I hurt a ton....so tell Alan not to crank it up like that...my muscles would spasm.

Electrical stim has done zip for me in terms of pain control....it does work for some folks, but the darn thing buzzing like that was as obnoxious as pain...and did nothing to really relieve it. I had two TENS units over the years....one was prehistoric...that was a late 80's model they gave me after my car accident.

Keep in mind, I have a plethora of injuries, not to mention an interesting assortment of disease, so, I hate to discourage any one from trying something that may work for them.

Same rule applies, give it a try if it can't hurt.

here's some placement links -
http://site.lgmedsupply.com/Pdf/Elec...ementChart.pdf
http://www.vitalityweb.com/backstore/tensplacement.htm
http://www.eastcoastinternational.ie..._treatment.htm

and

[How Safe is Electrotherapy?

Contra-Indications - Circumstances in which you should NOT use T.E.N.S.
Remember that the current emitted from a T.E.N.S. unit travels through the skin between pairs of electrodes and only penetrates to a depth of 1-2 inches (to the level of the underlying nerve fibres). Such a small electrical current does not pose any danger. However, although electrotherapy is one of the safest treatments available, there are a few circumstances in which it should NOT be used:

DO NOT use T.E.N.S. in the following circumstances:

* If you are in your first trimester of pregnancy (it is okay to use during labor – please consult your doctor)
* If you have numbness or less feeling over a painful area
* If you have pre-existing lymphoedema. T.E.N.S. may affect lymphatic circulation, causing further fluid retention. Issues of skin integrity should also be considered]
more info-
http://www.queenwestphysio.ca/strate...rotherapy.html

Thanks, that is some good information....a lot of it has changed over the years, and I was unaware of a lot of the stuff. I don't think back in the 80's they had a real handle on using that modality.

I haven't used one since the mid 90's and at this time, would not consider it, as my issues are too widespread, and not yet definitively identified....plus, I go numb. No one has brought it up for me anyway.

After reading your post, I would be very wary.

TENS is always passed off as so harmless.

Mel,
Don't let him turn it up all the way. He will probably set off serious muscle spasms. It should be turned up to where it can just be barely felt. Turning it up all the way will also cause the body to be accustomed to it much faster and it won't do any good at all. I speak from experience.

Billye

Well, he didn't feel it until he turned it up all the way.

I will tell him exactly what you all said,

Then I will hit him in the head.


Melody

--especialy about starting at low settings, both so that one doesn't "habituate" away from any pain-blocking effect too rapidly, and so that muscle spasms are not produced.

I have a nice programmable four electrode portable TENS (with belt clip) that was originally prescribed through my physical therpaist for the meralgia parasthetica in my right thigh (which has been flaring recently, possibly with all the driving I've been doing), but I've used it over many parts of my body (though not the face and chest). The intensity levels for each electrode range from 1 to 36 and there are twelve pre-programmed patterns that can be chosen, ranging from pulses of various durations to continuous current. I generally use intensities ranging from around 5 to 12, though as the battery loses charge (they are rechargable) I have to ramp it up somewhat. In general, the fleshier the area (say, a thigh compared to a forearm), the higher the setting needs to be to get the same effect.

It does have a good effect for me as regards pain blockage, at least as long as it is on. TENS units take advantage of the nerve conduction fact that pain is the sensation that moves most slowly up and down the carrying fibers; overlaying another sensation, such as electrical vibration, over the pain one tends to block it from perception.

Electrode placement is a big experiment, especially as none of us have exactly the same pain or exactly the same neuroanatomy. Whenever I use it, I typically move the electrodes around, millimeter by millimeter, a number of times until I find an optimal spot.

I've used the TENS unit now for just under a year. I have never had any complications from using it. I use it on my feet which are totally numb and most always burning. I crank it all the way up - and I can barely feel it. I occasionally use it on my hands as well. This is a totally different situation - I can really feel it and it does make my fingers dance. Sometimes it is more effective than other times. My insurance paid for it and pays for all the supplies. The company sends me an order sheet monthly and I just check off what I need (if anything). It was prescribed to me by a physical therapist.

Cheryl:

Exactly what does this do for your feet?? Does it take away the burning??

Today, I accompanied Alan to the pysical therapist and I asked about the electrode thingee (with the big pads), that they put on his calf, and they put a big hot pack over it.

I asked them "what is this thing called"?. It's called a Low Voltage Stimulator.

It's not a Ifc. I made sure to ask this question.

It's supposed to stimulate healing.

I then asked about the TENS unit and told the guy what Alan did (revved it up to the highest thing on the dial). He said "Melody, it's powered by a 9 volt battery, don't worry, he can't hurt himself.". He did say that he should increase the thing slowly, and not to just turn it on and dial it to the highest number. Alan said he would do this.


Now today, I USED THE DARN THING.

My knee was killing me. I put the two pads where the chart said (I went to one of the links in one of the posts) and there's a chart that shows you where to place the electrodes.

I can laugh now, but honestly, I was afraid I would electrocute myself.

I v e r y s l o w l y turned it on, and started to dial the intensity.

I felt nothing till I got to 4, then I stopped at 5.

And I said 'Alan puts this thing on 8???, holy moly.

I also put it on my frozen shoulder.

I shall try it on my feet.

The weather is nuts and that's why I'm burning.

Going to Cornell on Friday.

is another electrical device for healing. I don't think it ocillates the way the IFc does, but it is not the same as TENs. I don't know why it is used instead of IFc, but it may have to do with tissue damage/surgery.

I had IFc and ultrasound myself. (tendon injury but no surgery)

This site gives definitions:
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/answers2...7162658AAfm73M