my experience.

1. I had STS treatment.

2. It caused a MAJOR spread. Within 45 minutes pain level went from a 3 to a 10!!! (the person running this machine on me said they had never seen this happen but my body turned bright red and was swelling. they said that usually it gives some relief or none)

A. Machine was running correctly
B. Power levels were well within the perimeters
C. Pads have to be placed in a certain pre-established, pre-determined pattern as set forth by the manufacturer for the particular disease/ailment of the patient.
D. They run it on your legs for a set amount of time, then move the pads to your arms for a set amount of time.

3. My pain and spread have NEVER went back down and has since spread BODY WIDE!

4. This is a costly treatment... I was told it cost $1100.00 per treatment and they had me scheduled for 2 treatments per day for a month and then I would have to purchase my own machine for home treatments.

5. I had no other medical problems!!!

6. I must also say that this DID NOT HURT WHILE the machine was running on that particular part of my body. The flair started once the pads were removed...No, the pads themselves did not hurt as the RSD was not in the area where the pads had been placed.

I'm not telling anyone not to try this... just know the risks!!!

abbie

I wonder if it is like the Interferential stimulation machines?
the power signals interfere with each other so less chance of tingle/zap, stinging. These work deeper into the muscles/tissue too.

When my chiro got his INF stim he asked if they could use me as a guinea pig LOL - the tech/trainer for the stim company was there to train him.
The tech had him start at a fairly high setting instead of starting low and working up to my tolerance level. But they listened to me and turned it down fast.
A few times later I let him turn it so it was really flexing my muscles- it didn't hurt but I ended up with triggerpoints afterward-so lesson learned.
One time it flexed my shoulder muscles so much I thought it was gonna pop out of the socket.
So now we just keep it to low levels so it feels like a wonderful full back massage.
But in my case it's for the TOS and myofascial pain- so I don't know how it would apply to cases of RSD.

any time they turn any of those electric stimulator's up too high you will feel zapping , shock or stinging.

If you do it and you feel it is too high of a setting- demand they turn it down- just because those settings are the norm doesn't mean everyone can tolerate it.

I have a cheap muscle stim {EMS} for home use and it pretty much only works on the surface of the muscles compared to the INF stim my chiro uses.

hello, what exactly are trigger points and how did this cause them? thanks, jenny ( i am curious because i'm thinking about seeing chiropractor but not sure if i should? kind of scared) thanks, jenny

Hi jenny,
the first thing I will say is really check them out {as with any service person these days} to be sure they are well trained or have real knowledge and experience - don't go to any beginners.
Many times you can go for an evaluation {free or discounted} before committing to the one of your choice. ask about it.
Gentleness is a good thing- mine spec in geriatric care so he is.

I have some links on TRPs that can explain better than I can-
Triggerpoints and referred pain and stretching:
http://www.triggerpointbook.com/index.html
http://triggerpoints.net/_sgg/m1m1_1.htm
http://www.pressurepointer.com/pain_reference_chart.htm
http://altmedicine.about.com/library...ressure+points
http://www.drlowe.com./triggerpoint.htm

a very basic explanation of a Triggerpoint- a muscle can get so tight from overwork or static tension that a small knot {TrP} of tension will develop in it.

after I read more about chiropractic I wasn't as nervous about it-
and I feel I can trust the DC I chose-
Chiropractic care info- a good one can help with many symptoms:
http://www.upcspine.com/self.htm
http://www.uppercervical.org/subpag...b/about_faq.php
http://www.spineuniverse.com/index.html
http://www.coloradochiropractic.org/.../glossary.html