Alan Is Using The Tens Unit
 

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.

I'm with cyclops
 

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

I agree with Silverlady--
 

--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 wonder...
 

Why Alan is having so much pain, he needs a Tens?

Also, at PT they don't usually do TENs...they do IFc.

They are both electrical, look similar. But IFc is healing and TENs is only blocking.

So I for one don't understand what is going on here.

No problem using TENs for pain. But if Alan has that much to deal with,
I'd check with the doctor etc. Just My Opinion JMO.

The physical therapist opened the case of the TENS and set it to:

Pulse Width - 220
Pulse Rate 50 (It's a ProM-300 unit.

In the middle under TIMER there are two thingees and both of them are set to 30. So I gather they are both set to 30 minutes. What the pulse width and rate is, I have no idea.

The only reason that we have the TENS unit in our possession is that my friend's mother gave it to her daughter, and she lent it to us.

Alan still has neuropathy between his toes, and his feet burn (all the time as he puts it). It's only the intensity that changes (like with the weather).

If the weather is about the change and it's going to rain, he will say "oh my feet are doing a dance".

Then after the hard hard rain, he goes 'ah, I feel nothing".

Now if you all think that this TENS unit is not going to make a difference, I'll tell him.

One time, when he saw Dr. Theirl, Dr. Theirl told him to put the TENS unit on his lower back because he felt that's WHERE ALL OF ALAN'S PROBLEMS STEMMED FROM.

Only no one else agreed with him and every single doctor he saw said "it's not your back".

Then he had the spinal tap and they found protein in his spinal fluid. And I know that you can have more than one thing going on.

So TENS is a blocker??

Well, when he goes to the Physical Therapy, they put some electrodes on him, then they put some big kind of pad over his leg, they turn on the juice for 15 minutes, and he's in heaven. They put the electrodes on the bottom of the right calf. (the leg where he had the surgery). (I kind of thought this gadget was a souped up TENS UNIT). Then they do some ultrasound, then the guy comes in and massages his lower calf. I have no idea why they do this, but Alan loves it. I have told them that Alan's leg does not hurt. They know exactly where he has neuropathy. I believe this physical therapy has much to do with him stretching the muscle in his calf.



God, I can't believe how stupid I really am compared to all of you.

So does this TENS thing help with the burning in the feet (for diabetic neuropathy)??

And if Alan does get cramps from this gadget, do I put ice, or do I put warm compresses?

JUST WENT IN TO CHECK, AND HE'S OUT LIKE A LIGHT. He must have loved this thing because he's sleeping like a baby. Exactly how he slept during the physical therapy appointment.

I had 3 months of this....
 

A IFc treatment at the highest level you can stand (mine was 13) for 20-30 minutes with an ice pack over the spot (for me it was the sensitive groin area)...

Then the ultrasound.

I would certainly find out what they are doing at that PT. ( he would NOT be going to PT for only TENs....it has to be IFc= inferential current)

TENs is not harmful, but it does NOT have healing properties. And placement of the electrodes is different for IFc (usually).

I would NOT turn it up like they do at at PT for IFc treatments. Please ask the therapists for more detailed info. You might want to go there for clarity, at least once.

I've been to every single session with him. I do my own workouts (for my frozen shoulder). I have a ball there.

The top guy (don't know what your would call him at this place), but he's the one who set the tens machine and told me to leave it at that setting and he can do it for as long as he wanted to. He did tell me (Alan slept all through this discussion), he told me that Alan should start at the lowest session.

I told this to Alan but he wanted to do what he wanted to do.

I did tell him that if he used it again and turned the dial all the way to the right, that he would be a dead husband. He laughed.

He woke up and feels just dandy.

We're going there tomorrow. I shall get more detail on the electrodes with the big pad over it, (don't know if it's IFc).

Will update.

Melody

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.

electrostim
 

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

Hi Melody - Yes, the TENS Unit does help with the burning. It helps while you are using it and for awhile after (time varies). One thing I know about it is it is supposed to help with circulation. My doctors say that my circulation is fine... Also, you can use it while soaking a foot in water - have not tried that yet as the instructions do not make sense to me.:eek:

Cheryl

Cheryl

You can use it while soaking in WATER???

Me??? Don't think so!!

I'd be frightened half to death, that I'd be electrocuted.

Reminds me of A LONG LONG TIME ago, when I was working, I had gone to Bloomingdales and I went to their Bath and Body department and I purchased a home Jacuzzi. It was $100. Do you know how expensive $100 was 25 years ago??

The thing looked really cool. And since I LOVED whirlpools, and this thing turned your bathtub into a whirlpool, I figured "why the heck not"??

So I purchased it on my lunch hour, and took out the directions and showed everyone what the instruction booklet said.

WELL!!! I will never forge this part. On the left side of the instruction booklet there were all these DON'TS!!!!

DON'T IMMERSE THE CABLE IN WATER.

DON'T IMMERSE THIS PART OF THE UNIT IN WATER.

DON'T DO THIS.

DON'T DO THAT!!!

I just looked at the instruction manual and said to myself "oh lordy, can I really do this??"

The unit was to fit over the side of the bathtub and make all the water turn into whirling jets of warm water. Sounds good, right??

But my mind always went to the left side of the instruction booklet WITH ALL THE DON'TS!!!

There were more DON'Ts and DANGER!!!! then there were 'SAFE!!!!

So I looked at my fellow co-workers and said:

"Well, I'm going to try this gadget out tonight and if I don't show up for work tomorrow morning, you'll know that I electrocuted myself".

Everybody laughed.

So that night, I take it out of the box, I again look at all the DON'Ts, and I promptly got scared and put the unit back in the box all prepared to bring it to work and return it on my lunch hour.

I awoke the next morning with a fever and could not go to work.

Well you should have seen everybody calling my house thinking I electrocuted myself.

I never laughed so hard. I had to assure my boss that I didn't have burns all over my body.

I never used that thing, and now I'm told that I can put electrodes on my feet and put them in the water while using a tens unit???


I don't think so!!!! lol

Cheryl its not really complicated, you get a divided boot bath at a store like walgreens, fill it about half way with water and put some epsom salts in it, then take one red lead from the tens unit with the pad off and put it in one side of the foot bath and then take the black lead with the pad off and put it in the other side of the foot bath. It will not electrocute you , you will feel increased strength of electrical pulses over dry pads and the epsom salts will make your feet feel better as well.

Hey Joe - Thanks for the info. I think I might just try this since I cannot feel it when I crank the machine all the way up.

Melody, if you don't hear from me again - you will know why!:D

Cheryl

How much Epso Salts did you put in each side of the divided foot bath?

How much Epsom Salts did you put in each side of the divided foot bath?

i dont measure exactly but i would say a quarter cup or less.