I've heard about TENS units, but I don't have any personal experience with them. I've seen members here and there mention them, so I thought I'd start a thread and ask for people to please share their experience with them! I'm just trying to learn about the different options out there.

Thanks!

I know many on here like them and have found relief with them...I am not one of those people! PT tried it on my hand and it brought me to tears. It aggravated things and made my pain worse.

Nanc

I'll be interested to see how this thread progresses and how many people find the TENS helps...

I've actually got a unit from when I was pregnant, but I've been scared to try it on the CRPS. I've heard more negatives than positives, and I've read some research that doubts why on earth it would help CRPS given that it's action is to stimulate the nerves in the area - surely the LAST thing you would want in an area of your body already over-reacting to stimuli, and sending repeat pain signals to an area of your brain where that is over-reacting too! My physio (who has been very knowkedgeable about CRPS) was dead against it.

On the other hand, obviously some have had a good experience with it, so maybe it depends on the type of CRPS sensations you have, and how your brain reacts to the increased stimuli? I do get the impression it's a risk, and has the potential to make things worse.

I know the controversial Calmare treatment was found to be basically a TENS machine that pulsed more randomly.

Good thread!

Bram.

My TENS unit is one of the only things that makes a significant impact on my pain levels. I wear it every day and run the wires under my pants legs. It helps for my ankle because the pain is in a relatively small area and I can surround that area with the electrodes and it helps with the pain. When it's the more generalized burning pain over a large area...then it doesn't help much. On the other hand...when I get my bad bone crushing flares (which tend to be in a specific spot) then it can help with that pain even if it's in my upper body where the pain is more generalized as opposed to in a specific spot. Does that make sense?

When the pain is particularly bad then I will use the TENS in combination with a heating pad for the best relief.

If you are having any muscle spasms, cramping, or general achy soreness, I would recommend trying an IFc stim (interferential stimulation) over a TENS.

info & differences -
http://vitalityweb.com/backstore/Muscle-Stimulator.htm

adding..

Many PT places and/or chiropractors have TENS and IF stim available so you could try both to see which might help or not.

Then if it does help often you can buy one for at home for around 100.00 or so.

I bought this one on Amazon (for my RSI/TOS/CMP) -
http://www.amazon.com/4KTM-digital-i...ential+digital

I get some relief from using mine but having it on for more than 1/2 hr. is usually too much and I have learned that threshold. I use it with a heating pad. You can adjust the stimulation. Yes, too strong of a current would probably aggrivate it.
At least that is external and is instantly removable. I'm facing a SCS implant and that DOES SCARE ME!