tens machine

[Bootoo]

Right you lovely lot, help me out... my mother-in-law tells me a tens machine will be good for the pain in my shoulder, not that I don't trust her but.... Anyone used one and do they work? Many thanks in advance x

[Marionfromhappydays]

It's funny you mention this as Thursday I attended an online zoom from my rhemy team where they had physios, Occupational health etc and they said tens machine can either work well or not at all for people 🤷‍♀️

They suggested borrowing one before buying as they might not work.

Sorry I've not been much help 🤣

[Bootoo in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

No help at all 🤷‍♀️😜😂 ah I've got 2 here that she sent so no intentions of buying one 😂

[Marionfromhappydays in reply to Bootoo]

🤣

Go for it and let me know 👍

[Bootoo in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

I ain't being the guinea pig give me your address and I'll send one 👍😂

[vonniesims in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

I agree. I borrowed one and it didnt work for me, but worked really well on my friends back

[Oshgosh]

I have chronic lower back pain,which I manage with physio exercise and pain relief when needed.Myphysio does acapuncture.thishelps,however my back doesn’t likeTens. Machine.

When I went3 weeks ago,we both forgot and she used Tens machine.my back hurt for a couple of days afterwards,which hasn’t happened before. So. I won’t be having Tens. Don’t be put off my experience,it helps a lot of people. Have a try.

[Bootoo in reply to Oshgosh]

Thanks for that, looking like I'll just have to try , don't think it'll do any damage

[Deeb1764 in reply to Bootoo]

I use them I find on bad days it takes my mind off the source of pain so it works for me that way and used for years. Hubby uses it too we have His & Hers!

[Bootoo in reply to Deeb1764]

Now there's a thought get the other half to try one first 😂

[vonniesims in reply to Bootoo]

It wont do any harm

[allanah]

Tens machines work as distraction technique and can help with pain such as RA or childbirth!

[Bootoo in reply to allanah]

don't think there's much chance of trying it out having a baby...that is looong gone 😂

[allanah in reply to Bootoo]

😂😂😂

[bpeal1]

Tens machines don’t treat the pain just stop you feeling it. It shouldn’t cause you any harm.

As I understand it, pain signals to your brain are quite slow, tens machines work by creating a tingling sensation, and these signals travel much quicker, so your brain registers these feelings rather than the pain. It works exactly the same way as if you rub an area of your body after you’ve banged it.

[Bootoo in reply to bpeal1]

I tried it last night but only for an hour but I'll say it helped me sleep a bit better as my shoulder wasn't throbbing as it usually does 👍

[cheeriable in reply to bpeal1]

It's true the TENS masks the pain feeling, but in the Boost mode it stimulates your body to produce it's own encephalin and endorphins so rather than taking chemicals from external medication your body produces it's own medication! Mine changed my life for the better.

[rabbits65]

My sister has shoulder pain and loves her tens machine .

[Bootoo in reply to rabbits65]

Time will tell if it works, I'll keep trying it

[Doobie-Doo]

I have just got a tens machine for use on my shoulder. It definitely helps some when I use it but only when it’s on, no benefit after from how I feel (apparently it might help increase circulation to the site too). However, with the machine on it does allow for greater movement in the shoulder as it does disrupt the pain enough to allow me to move it where otherwise I couldn’t. My friend uses one for a sore back though hers is muscular pain. She has a job where she’s on her feet all day so wears the tens machine constantly and she swears by it as it allows her to function at work. I decided to get mine because I thought it was worth a try and from what I’ve read there are no real risks for me and it wasn’t expensive. I’m glad I have it now 😀

[Bootoo in reply to Doobie-Doo]

It certainly worked last night when I went to bed, I will keep on with it

[vwtopaz]

I’m afraid since my RA diagnosis tens machine not effective, I have a massager chair (pad) on the low setting with heat helps me, again everyone’s different....perhaps you’ll have a positive experience, good luck.

[Bootoo in reply to vwtopaz]

Thanks, all good last night so fingers crossed it may be of benefit

[liveinwoods]

I have used one for several years and it helps with aches and pains. I wore one out already so I purchased one with a battery that is portable. It was recommended by the local physiotherapist.

[Bootoo in reply to liveinwoods]

This is a portable one, I'm waiting for a physio appointment so I'll keep trying it till then

[LoneEra]

Absolutely rely on my TENS. You need to wear it for several hours and the placement of the pads is critical - you won’t get much relief if you just stick them on where it hurts. There are special points where you need to place them.

It doesn’t cure the pain, it makes the brain think about something else. So it’s a distraction rather than a remedy. But it can be very effective. I often fall asleep with my TENS on at a low level. It’s kind of like white noise for the nervous system.

I’ve had several machines over the years but I recently bought a wireless TENS from Med-Fit - it’s brilliant! So easy to use and I can wear it for 8 hours under normal clothes and no-one knows. A great investment.

[Bootoo in reply to LoneEra]

I have a booklet with it so I think I worked out where the pads should go, hope it works for me like yours does

[LoneEra in reply to Bootoo]

Great. Some of the placement guides are better than others! I’m sure your physio will give you some tips anyway Fingers crossed for you!

[Bootoo in reply to LoneEra]

Thank you x

[Fruitandnutcase]

I still had the pain - I just had a very annoy8ng tingle at the same time so it’s a no from me.

[Bootoo in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Ah I'm not expecting a miracle think the mother-in-law is though 🙄😂

[Cyclo50]

I use a tens machine if having a flare up. Might only provide temporary relief but I wouldn't be without one! Hot water bottle works for me too.

[Bootoo in reply to Cyclo50]

I wouldn't be without my hot water bottle either 👍

[cheeriable]

Yes I used one for many years before I had an op to put in a permanent Spinal cord stimulator, which works like a TENS but is internal. I had my TENS in 1988 and was given the first by the pain clinic in Dorset, with guidance from them where to position the pads. This makes a huge difference, as I learned later when hospital staff with no knowledge tried to reposition the pads which was a painful disaster! You are best to get guidance from someone who knows about acupuncture if possible, or you could look online for a map of the points. The other main thing to know is that the sticky pads that you need to place on the right spot may be made differently and some can cause irritation so you cannot put them in a place which is on the same nerve line as a cut or pimple as the stimulation can irritate the sore place more. There are also different stimulation modes, the boost being the best pain reliever. I don't know how I would have been able to keep my job if I had not had the TENS. I do hope you can get some guidance as they can be a big help with pain if you know where to place the pads. I wish you well

[Bootoo in reply to cheeriable]

Thank you for that, very informative, I think I'll wait till I see physio before I experiment with it 👍

[LolaAli]

They don't work for everyone but my Tens machine has been a life changer. Can't live without it. I have acute chronic pain in my coccyx caused by spinal stenosis. I take a lot of painkillers since surgery further up my spine, last year, and this has helped distract me from the pain/promote endorphins and is non invasive or yet more medication. I also do exercises recommended through the NHS Fitness studio website. I'll try anything to reduce the agony and this has worked for me. Good luck with your symptoms.