TENS Unit
 

Hi, just wondering if anyone has ever used a TENS unit. The PT suggested that I get a script for one from my OSS. I had a 2 level ACDF on 12/9/2010. I still get major neck and shoulder pain, knots and spasms. I have been on the computer alot of work. I am a teacher and tend to look down quite a bit or turn very quickly. My ROM has increased, but my strength is still quite poor. I use the cervical stim 4 hours a day. I went back to work on 2/14/2011 and started PT on 2/21/2011. I still have some swallowing issues, not major. Has anyone used the TENS for pain? How did is work? Was it worth it? Thanks for your responses.

My dad uses a TENS quite often for his DDD pain.
It basically helps to block or intercept the pain signal.

I love mine! I can get up to 8 electrodes on it. The only downsides are what to do with the wires in the ladies room! You may be able to do a search here to see other rsponses.

Tens unit / pt
 

Still no script from my OSS. I keep leaving messages and don't get a reply. Getting annoyed. My insurance company has also denied additional PT. I had 12 sessions, got 2 more (LOL) now no more. Very frustrated. Any suggestions.

Unfortunately, PT limits are limits. You could pay for 1 out of pocket to get a home exercise program established. Are you WC? Not that that matters much but the rules are different.

As far as a TENS unit is concerned, yu can still get one cheap. There are ways...

It looks like a Dr's signature isn't even needed anymore to buy a TENS or other stims online - here's an overview of some prices/models -
http://www.google.com/search?q=TENS&...=shop%3A1&aq=f


I bought an EMS stim years ago and did not need any dr approval.

PT TENS unit
 

Not sure what WC is, so I guess not. My brother in law broke his wrist around the same time I had my surgery and he had so much more PT without an issue. Not sure if it is my insurance to the PT location with the way they are writing up the reports. I have some at home exercises that I do now, but not enough to really increase my upper body strength. Paying out of pocket is expensive and I do not understand why I am having such a hard time. Prior to surgery it was never an issue. As far as the TENS unit, it would be covered 100% with the script. So I will just have to stop by the OSS office rather than call.
Thanks for your words of encouragement and advice.

Workers' Compensation.

Different injury - different treatment.

TENS unit
 

My husband has had a TENS unit from the VA for years. He had surgery on his foot, so hasn't used it for a while, but he says he received good relief. I had gotten it out the other day, as a matter of fact, to use it for my L4, L5 discs, and sciatic nerve pain. He just put it back on me-- two electrodes, anyway. (I had torn it up a bit when I was wearing it at a meeting and the unit, I guess, turned waaayyyy up!!!!:eek: I was up jumping around like a mad women, saying "Take it off, take it off!!" and pulling at the wires":Help:) I haven't used it since, until I read your post and thought I would give it another try. It's buzzing away now, though, and it is, at least, a distraction from the pain.

My sister is on Medicare due to SS disability was able to get an internal unit and she gets very good results. It really does block the nerves. She and I have just about the same neuro hx and sx, which leads us to believe that some of our problems are genetic, especially looking back at our father.

Good luck with your tens. I think you can be optimistc about getting some relief. I imagine you're very active with your teaching! God bless you for your contribution to our society and the physical struggles you have. :Good-Luck: Linda

WC - thank you for the info. I guess since my situation wasn't workman's comp. I didn't realize it.
Signed the paperwork at the OSS for the TENS unit. Called and stopped by the office since I was in the area. Hope it helps. Still no PT approved. Arguing with insurance. Such a joy. :)

I used one after I had my second back surgery. They put on in the operating room...I was in a body casts for six months and felt so good. I would put it down in front of my cast. We were out at night with friends and all out kids. My friends daughter pointed to my glow in the dark...right in the middle of my chest...she called me ET...silly.

All serious aside...it was the best...I highly recommend using on!

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/w...een/ETMoon.gif

I use mine daily, got a script from my Dr and it was covered 100%, according to my PT it cannot be placed directly on the titanium plate/screw or any kind of hardware just around that area, I use mine on my traps, between shoulder blades, biceps forearms and my lower back, I place my heating pads over the Tens pads as well, stimulation and heat at the same time, feels great!
Take care, Bunz

Hmmm... They should, at the very least, have given you one orientation session with a PT to explain the TENS unit and how to use it safely & effectively. I have one, and it's come in handy for some things. Finding the correct location for the 'trodes, and then the correct setting, are both critical variables to efficacy. It may take some considerable time & experimentation. Be patient, try to figure out a logical procedure, and stick with it.

Since learning Myofascial techniques, we probably use them more often than the TENS, but still glad I've got it for the tough cases. For spasms, I was taught to use the zapping settings - they're supposed to jolt the spasming muscle until it gives up and relaxes (and you really know when that happens). I use the buzzing settings for burning/constant pain.

Others may vary.

Doc

PT TENS unit
 

Well, with all of my fighting with insurance I got a whopping 6 additional sessions of PT. Starting right now with PT and trying to set up a detailed after care or at home program so I am not caught off guard. When I get the TENS unit the PT and the OSS said they would help me out. Still waiting to hear from the durable medical portion of my insurance plan. It is 4 months today that I had my surgery. Definitely glad that I had the surgery, just didn't realize the long recovery period. Silly me. ROM is pretty good, left and down, later in the day the right catches up. Going up or ear to shoulder is limited as is my strength. Still get muscle spasms, knots in my shoulders and down to my shoulder blades. At times I get the burning feeling from shoulder to shoulder (not pleasant). I just keep reminding myself this is treatable and took more than 5 years to finally have the surgery and it may take a year or more to get myself back to where I want to be.


************************************************** **
12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with plate, screws,
BMP & bone fragment filled cages
2/14/2011 trying to go back to work as a teacher
2/17/2011 starting PT
wearing bone stimulator 4 hours a day
DDD, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves
3 months saw a little bit of bone growth (YEAH)
4/9/2011 ROM much better, still achy and stiff in the am

:wink: thank you for writing that, the great thing about this forum is to read what others are going through and realize you're not alone (and that I'm normal.. LOL)

I'm at the 5 week post op mark, and was really starting to get frustrated at how long it was taking me to heal. I'm a little stronger everyday, but I still have pain. Reading your post and seeing that you are still not back to your usual self at the 4 month mark reminds me how long it actually takes to heal from this surgery. I'm probably pretty normal in my recovery then.

Thanks for the post, good luck with your PT, take lots of notes so you can do them yourself at home afterwards!!
Let me know how the tens works for you, I was thinking of requesting one for myself after my follow up with the surgeon in 3 weeks.

Cheers ~ here's to happy healing for both of us
:winky: Cathie

Hi Cathie,

Isn't that putting the cart before the horse? Hopefully you won't have need of one, but if you do, I'd suggest trying one during PT first.

Doc

yeah, you're probably right, but I spent a lot of time hooked up to a tens and IFC machine at my physio therapist's before surgery, so I know how much relief they give, and I've been having so many muscle spasms since surgery I'm expecting it will give me some relief from that. I'm trying to find a way to get off all the meds and I am a strong believer in PT and alternative therapies.

hopefully these damn muscle spasms and pain will stop soon, then I won't need to worry about it. :winky:

Recovery Time
 

There is no such reality as normal recovery. You are still very early in your recovery. It takes a long time to heal. Your body has been through major surgery and probably a long time of injury and pain prior.

I am hopeful that in one year post surgery I will have much more strength, great ROM and be able to complete takes without taking breaks due to pain, knots and spasms. I also want to be able to drive my son college in August (8 hours) and enjoy the achievement. Everyone is different.

At 6 weeks I was still very weak, no strength and very little ROM. At 10 weeks I think I saw a major difference with ROM and some strength. I only wore a soft collar after I think 4 weeks except all the time when I slept or in a car and at times when I was sore and achy. PT certainly helped. I try and complete a few exercises many times during the day. Just take your time and be careful with your neck. You only have one. I keep reminding my self of that.

I kept a journal of questions and symptoms that concerned me throughout my pre and post op time. I continue to. It is important to know what symptoms you have, when they happen (what were you doing prior to pain), how long they last and what helped alleviate them. I never thought that they recovery would take this long. I want to sleep well though the night, wake up without aches and pains and not limited ROM until I exercise. I thought I would be able to clean my house and do all the laundry without issues....not yet.

Time will tell. Again it is treatable.
************************************************** **
12/9/2010 ACDF C5-6 C6-7 with plate, screws,
BMP & bone fragment filled cages
2/14/2011 trying to go back to work as a teacher
2/17/2011 starting PT
wearing bone stimulator 4 hours a day
DDD, arthritis, herniated disks, pinched nerves
3 months saw a little bit of bone growth (YEAH)
4/9/2011 ROM much better, still achy and stiff in the am

I absolutely LOVE my tens unit... I would recommend it to anyone with chronic pain!