TENS machine

[Beach_runner]

I was gifted a TENS machine for Christmas. I only suffer occasionally from mild aches and pains but this is supposed to act like a massager as well as giving pain relief, (it has different settings). Does anyone have any experience using a TENs machine and how good they are? Appreciate there are probably loads on the market and think this is a more basic model but interested in finding out if they are useful.

[Speedy60 Graduate]

I used a TENS machine a few months ago when I had sciatica. I found it gave some relief when I was using it, but it never lasted once I stopped. To be fair, I had done some serious damage and was taking prescription painkillers. It might work better for niggles.

[AndrewT]

Dear Beach_runner,

TENS Machines, I'm not sure it Matters what 'Type' you get, I have 'Heard' of them- though I have had no experience one myself. I tend to 'Group' them, in the same way as Shiatsu, Acupuncture and the 'like'.... if it 'Works' for you then, by All means, Go For It.

Generally speaking, from what I've Read, Heard and Been Told.... Whilst some people 'Swear BY' their TENS Machine, other 'Swear AT' Their TENS Machine. Testimonies have ranged from 'Oh What A Wonderful Thing, it brings SUCH relief' to 'That THING! All It Does Is Tingle....Frankly it's Horrible, Complete WASTE Of money....'

I know that 'things' are a bit more complex, due to COVID, but can you ask a friend- or even your Consultant- if you might 'try/ borrow' One BEFORE you 'splash out'? One Girl, that I knew some years back now, said it 'Really Helped' her Menstrual Pain (before and during).

How long the Relief 'lasts', after you stop your TENS session can also vary- some say Straight Away, which makes sense...whilst other say 'The Relief Can Last Many Days'.

So, you see, Beach_runner I can't give you a Definitive answer, I'm afraid. Do 'see' if you can Try One- you could, very well, be Pleasantly Surprised. a tad early but

Happy New Year 2022

AndrewT

[HeavyFoot Graduate]

I used one this year to bring relief to a frozen shoulder. It worked very well while I used it and the relief could continue for an hour afterwards.

A sports masseur I also used explained that it worked through deferring pain temporarily, ie we’re distracted by the sharp tingling.

[Fasterthanshizu Graduate]

My wife swears by hers. She had bad lower back pain on and off for years (sacro-iliac joint). The TENS machine (recommended by her sports physio) was an important part of managing the problem, along with massage and anti-inflamatories.

I don't think the model matters much. They're not complicated and all seem to do much the same thing. More expensive ones might last longer. She turns up the power so it feels like tapping, nothing more intense than that.

For the disorders they're suitable for they're brilliant. In her case, the pain of the original injury caused the muscles nearby to go into spasm. The spasms were worse than the original injury. The repeated contractions and relaxations caused by the TENS machine ease the spasms (or at least that's my non-expert interpretation), similar to massage. The repeated sensation might also fatigue the pain receptors.

For the disorders they're unsuitable for, of course they're useless. Hence mixed reports from different users.

[Beach_runner Graduate in reply to Fasterthanshizu]

That's very helpful. Thank you.