Thank you all for advice and helpful thoughts... there were alot of questions...

im including a picture of the electric stimuli machine.. which the dr called a tens unit and after some research I have found its not a tens unit... its a pic from online... I also included a new pic of my neck after this treatment...

on Wen. I have an appointment with a different Dr. I got a copy of the mri so i could see for myself whats going on. It says I have spinal canal stenosis due to a 3mm posterior disc protrusion at c5/6 and a hemangioma within T1.

The current dr has not explained what that means or what the options are or treatment. He just keeps hooking me up to this machine every monday, wens, and friday... Yesterday my migraine was so bad my entire face went numb and i was crying in pain. Nothing over the counter would touch it and I tried every suggestion people gave me to help it...

Im hoping the dr wens can direct me in the right direction

if anyone has any suggestions from past experiences... please... i welcome advice... i feel because of my age maybe people dont take me seriously...

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Hi taliainpain,

The picture is likely of an inferential unit. Older vernacular was "Russian Stimulation." Conventional muscle stim units are set at around 90-100 Hz for pain control. Intensity is problematic as the tingling can be uncomfortable. With inferential, there are two channels each with two pads, total of four. It is a sine-wave type unit so there is no net current transfer to cause skin burn. For example, the "red" channel will operate at 4000 Hz and the black one at 4100 Hz. The pads are placed as an example, 12 and 6 o'clock for the red and 9 and 3 o'clock for the black. Where the currents intersect, sets up an "interference" current in the shape of a "cross" with the net difference of 100 Hz, hence the amount needed for pain control. The reason for all of this is theoretically current is much less obnoxious at 4000 Hz (skin resistence is less at higher frequencies) vs. 100 Hz so you can get more pain relief that is more comfortable. Some of these come with little "suction" devices as pads that probably do nothing more than hold the pads on your skin and make you look like you have been attacked by an octopus.

A 3mm disc protrusion is normal for some and surgical for others. It all depends on your complaints and clinical findings. True stensosis with a 3 mm protrusion suggests you have other issues, facet arthropathy, marginal spurring, etc. Vertebral hemangioma is rarely more than an incidental finding.

Since true "whiplash experts" are a rare breed to find, at least find a surgeon, ortho or neuro, who is spine fellowship trained to help assess your findings and guide you on what you need. A good neuorologist should be able to help you with both treatment and determine causation of your headaches. Nothing wrong with a competent chiropractor, especially if you find one who is board certified in orthopedics or neurology.They can (or should) also direct referral to medical specialist, if needed.

Well, I have to say when I got IFc I was given disposable electrode pads each visit.

Those suction cup thingeys look evil. I wonder if you are allergic to the material, or if they are latex? Or something similar?

I wouldn't go back there and allow them again. IFc can be given a different way. IFc was very effective for my pain from a tendon injury. In 3 visits + ultrasound, my pain was down from 8 to a 2 or so. I had suffered with it for 4 weeks on vacation too. Only with Lidoderms to take the edge off. (in the boonies)

Here is more info on the machine-
[This machine (ProElec DT 2000) has been a breakthrough in electromedicine, combining all known forms of electromedical therapy, in addition to this new revolutionary therapy. It is the most sophisticated form of electrotherapy available. ]
http://www.drmarkwheaton.com/electrotherapy.html

so it just depends on how the person sets it up - it can do all types of e therapies.

Did you tell/ask the DC about your skin reactions?
And I would ask again what type of e stim therapy he is using on you.

If he says TENS again ask why ?

Does he do any adjustments or just the e stim only??

Maybe he hasn't really trained for the proper use of this machine or the various e stim therapies.

You have to speak up and tell any care provider if you aren't feeling better and especially if you are feeling worse - so they can adjust the treatments - if they don't then run away from them.

Sometimes places will buy expensive equipment/gadgets and try to make it fit for all pts that come thru the door. and bill them accordingly - so they can get the machines paid off.

You don't have to keep going treatment that is hurting you. Tell the atty it isn't working out - and good luck with that newer dr.

It is your body, take charge and don't let poor care, or poor referrals mess you up worse.

You didn't say if it feels like it is shocking or stinging you at all?
just curious , I guess you would mention it if it was doing that too.

For many, IFC is much more effective than conventional stim. That particular set-up shown, the cups are a semisoft rubber with foam sponges that are inserted inside the cup to contact the patient's skin. Don't know if they are hypoallergenic or not....

I have had TEN's units used on me on high settings and I have never had a burn from one yet, I thank I would not ever go back to that dr

Hi Talia,
I did a quick internet search on the machine that you keep having used on you and the following seemed relevant. From the web info, which could have been posted by anyone, it seems that the purpose of the machine that has been used on you is to
1. Stimulate peripheral nerves for the purpose of providing pain relief.
2. For complex and chronic pain conditions.
3. For adjunctive treatment of post-traumatic pain syndromes.
4. Management and symptomatic relief of chronic (long-term) pain.
However, I also found, as far as I can gather, that :
1. Electrical stimulation of the skin does not help with pain from the central nervous system.
2. The machine is purely for symptomatic relief and does not act as a cure in any way.

The way that I read the above is: "The machine's only purpose is to relieve your symptoms, so if it is causing pain then it isn't working."

Even if you find that the doctor with the machine is helping, I would definitely get a second opinion. Another doctor might suggest some drugs that might help with pain from the central nervous system. I mentioned before that I had something similar to you and I found electrical stimulation didn't help at all, not even for temporary relief of symptoms. However, I did find that 10 mg of Amitriptyline every night did help a bit. Perhaps another doctor might try something else.

And whether you are 25 or not you have to stick up for yourself. This is something serious that you've got, so don't worry about hurting anyone's feelings. If your doctors aren't helping you just walk. Taking someone along with you might help. Is there anyone sympathetic who could help you to sort this out?

Best of luck.
CS

HI There, you are young, so I would suggest go to the natural way, before you go to the doctors, who would love to take you appart. the body has the ability to heal itself, if giving the right stuff. I had back problem 10 years ago, and now at 50 I am back being in trouble again, I am serious about physical therapy, as I have being 6 month in an out of sciatica and neck pain
I tried everything and the two below seems to be the best for me.I may get injections next week, I have being back doing those two for 3 weeks and it is super slow, but I would say I got rid of 70 % of the sciatica.
1/ get the book "treat you own neck" by robin mc Kensies, you will learned about posture and herniated disk.
2/ get " pain free" by egoscue , go to back section or if you can afford it see a postural alignement specialist.
3/ get a lumbar roll so you don't sit slouching right away.
keep moving, nothing is forever, even hell ! and I know what i am talking about it.
There is a lot of people doing laser spine surgery, and back surgery very tempting, and BIG BUSINESS... I would approach this with utmost cautious. there is a lot of people in pain with surgery. And there is a lot of success story.
I want to get out of pain NOW but I got to be patient too. hope this help
cheers virginie