TENS/EMS for Parkinsons

[DreamRain]

Hello, Does anyone have any experience with using TENS and or EMS in Parkinson’s? Thank you.

[MBAnderson]

do you mean an EMST?

[DreamRain in reply to MBAnderson]

EMS and TENS involve transdermal electrical muscle stimulation EMS as a muscle workout and TENS for pain relief. They can be found on sale on Amazon for example a number of products will do both EMS and TENS. I have only found a single research paper on this which appeared to show some relief from tremors while using the apparatus but no effects afterwards.

[cgreg]

I have tried using TENS in two ways: 1) attached to my shin and lower back on the right side (the side affected by my PD and also because of sciatica, and, 2) with the electrode pads on my fingers like in the Stanford gloves protocols. I found only brief episodes of symptom relief in each case which is probably due to the placebo effect rather than any sustained lasting improvement.

[DreamRain in reply to cgreg]

Thanks so much. I was able to find only one research paper on this that found some limited improvement in tremor but only during the treatment.

[beehive23]

i use tens for severe dystonic pain when its localized. hang tough.

[bdphillips in reply to beehive23]

does it help? I’m having pain in my calf and foot and trying to find something that works.

[beehive23 in reply to bdphillips]

yes it helps....they are used by physical therapists alot.

[House2]

consider also galvanic or direct current stimulation which looks like TENs, but affects the nervous system in a different way.

[House2]

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[qazwsx11]

It does what it does regardless if you have Parkinson's or not. You can use it to relax muscles or to build muscles.

[kaypeeoh]

If pain is coming from the muscles and tendons a TENS unit can help. If the pain is neurogenic then TENS won't help. I

[Dabaa]

I've just taken delivery of a TENS machine and separate ear-clip lead in order to stimulate my vagus nerve. I'll report back on results - if any...

[DreamRain in reply to Dabaa]

Thanks so much Dabaa !

[DreamRain in reply to Dabaa]

I’m not a specialist but the vagus nerve is pretty critical for primary functions such as heart rate and blood pressure so please don’t put yourself in any danger and do make sure you follow medical advice and are under medical supervision if you do this. My interest in TENS/EMS was more in muscle stimulation.

[House2 in reply to Dabaa]

FYI

healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

[Dabaa in reply to House2]

Thank you so much.

[Dabaa]

First learning: turns out - contrary to what some well-intentioned soul told me - that not every TENS machine works for this end. It needs to be programmable. So returned unit and will maybe try again at a later date. Meanwhile, continuing with the cold shower approach. The Spartan within me approves.