My TENS units instructions say not to place directly on spine but Im sure someone on here has advised that? I do feel I would sometimes like to place directly too.
Secondly, if I ever place on my shoulders, I wake in the night with very troublesome pulsations and twitches round the neck and shoulder area, even if the unit was removed much earlier in the day. This only happens after tens use, so I have now stopped placing on or near my shoulders. Anyone ??
I have spinal stenosis and lumbar cysts i have used tens for years placed on the spine with no problems as for the twitches i would say its the tens doing it work on the area one thing i was always told about tens is you have to Persevere with it
Thanks Dave.
What settings do you put your teens on ,I've spinal stenosis ,keep trying different setting but don't no what's best .
Hi every one, I have used my ten`s for years would`nt be without it. I have spinal problems and I place the pads one both sides of my spine, I have tried placing them on my spine but I also found that it felt uncomfortable and didn't relieve the pain as much, and you MUST NEVER PLACE IT NEAR YOUR HEART, so if you are placing it on your left shoulder this could be a problem. good luck tricia
Thanks Blacky. I vary settings and placing. I too have stenosis, amongst other back and neck probs.
That's a thought Tricia ! Thanks.
Some pain clinics (e.g. mine, although I've sorted my own TENS out), and many physios - although you may have to pay, will help you sort out the best electrode positioning and program for you, as it is a very individual matter. Some of the TENS - e.g. the Ultima, allow someone else to programme your settings in for you! It is the one thing that really helps.
The major NO areas are putting them across the carotid artery or front-of-throat area, or across the heart. It is recommended that you don't use them when sleeping - although I will admit to occasionally putting them on a 15 minute program if I'm desperate, and it will switch itself off. I'm a non-driver, so don't have to worry about 'not while driving.' I suspect that the problem here is that if an electrode slips or disconnects, it can give you rather a startle, which could be dangerous if in charge of a car or machinery.
Two minor things for me: Not on the shoulders when anyone is likely to suddenly pat you on the shoulder to get your attention, or to give you a hug (after-service tea!) The biggest shock - literally - the other week was when I was operating IT. Most unusually for me, I stood up while doing it, although it makes the position awkward. One pair of electrodes were fairly tightly stretched, and decided to come apart - with one suddenly between my buttocks! Never again will I stand up to run the computer with 'my sciatica setup'!
TENS machines vary a lot. I used to get mine from Boots, but they do change models (all identical to those on tenscare.co.uk (where you can also get VAT exemption if you have a chronic pain condition). I find the latest - I think it's I-Touch less reliable as it gives so many 'pads' errors. On the website, the simpler predecessor - 'Touch-TENS' is better and, best of all - but unavailable at present - the Ultima TENS - smaller, even more programs and covers over to make it less likely to change the controls by accident. It might be worth seeing if that model is on e-Bay and just buying leads and electrodes.
Good luck.
Ann
Thanks for advice Missy. I have been using two kinds of tens for some months now and am about to go back to Pain Clinic so will do as you suggest with Physio advice.
I managed a trawl round Trafford Centre in mad heat, heeled sandals, lidocaine patch, four tens pads, four sitting downs. It was hard work and I shouldn't have worn (sturdy, wedge) heels but I wanted to feel womanly again ! Do you know what I mean ? Hotter shoes and trainers don't really do it though my god they are comfy !!
Hi there everyone , I have lumber spine stenosis and osteo arthritis in both knee joints I can hardly walk.its good to hear about tens machines I would love to try one but not sure which one to purchase what would be best for a beginner. I would value any of your opinions. Thanks
Hi Preigi. Tens units can be a very useful addition to management of chronic pain. They dont work for everyone and some people even feel their pain is worse when using.
You can purchase online or at pharmacies. Prices and treatment programmes vary. Some people have them prescribed and advice given as to how to use. Each unit can be clipped to your waistband or wherever, after you have attached the electrodes to where you feel is appropriate but see above for warnings about positioning.
The theory is that the pulsating/buzzing feeling on your skin, breaks the pain pathway which travels via spinal chord to brain. This pathway is very necessary when you experience acute pain as it serves as a warning but with chronic pain, the nervous system has perhaps got into a habit which can't be broken and sends pain signals even if injuries have healed etc.
I don't have any link with them, but I do recommend the TensCare site I mentioned above - because they stock the ones I have used from Boots! They do vary in size etc.
My personal favourite is the Ultima - small, brilliant program selection, including ones which can be stored by a professional, but it isn't available there at present - but if you could search that model on the web (even e-Bay)it might be worth it.
2nd - Touch-Tens (the white one) - easy, good selection of programs, bulkier but reliable
3rd - I-Touch and I-Touch+ - in Boots, I think - silver - quite bulky. I find these infuriatingly prone to PADS errors, which reduce the power
4th - Delta TENS tens.co.uk - the smallest I've seen. Probably not as versatile I've bought this as occasionally I need one for my neck and one for my back and sciatica and it's handy to have, but haven't used it yet. This has one standard program, with others available by following a routine of several key-presses.
The advantage of on-line purchases is the ability to obtain VAT exemption if you have a chronic pain condition. (It does depend on your honesty, with no medical letter required, but presumably Revenue and Customs could check if they suspected fraud!)
If you can get a copy of the King's booklet on TENS it might help, although their talk about 'red' and 'black' isn't relevant to modern machines. It is good on electrode placement, but the booklets with the above machines usually give these. If anyone wants to borrow the booklet - or ask for a photocopy of placement for a particular condition I'll try to help if you PM me your details. (Provided my printer isn't on strike and I'm ;with 'it!'
I'm coming through a kind of mini-breakdown at the moment - I think my steroids for polymyalgia, plus a number of problems with my pets, showing etc, being extremely behind on the housework. and finance have all contributed. I am paying for a brilliant counsellor fortnightly, plus my meds and a good GP, but have reluctantly asked for a referral to the mental health team (old age, as I'm over 67), really so I theoretically have a crisis team available if necessary.
If I can help and support anyone - e.g. with finding reputable internet sites - I'll try. It's good to put various bits of my past work together. I may change the place where I do my volunteer computer help.
Thinking of you all.
Ann xxx
Ann, thank you for a very comprehensive post. I'm still learning about my pain and this site has been so helpful. Can I wish you all the best and I hope you see an improvement soon.
Hello
Tens, normally you would place the electrodes if neck just slightly off centre, with C1 C2 C3 etc, although if it was your arm or shoulder place one on shoulder joint and the other on the neck, say 4 inches apart
If you are dealing with the spine proper you need to not turn your machine to fast when dealing with the spine.
When dealing with lower back/hip you will need too find the ball in the hip to the thigh joint, I have always understood that the electrodes can be placed on the spine . You need to be careful because all the nerves tingle down towards the leg and hip if you are uncertain put the a electrode just to one side of the spine, if using a tens on a certain disk you us the electrodes about two inches or so side by side this willt treat that disk if you are wanting a nerve block place the electrodes longtitudinal 2 to 4 inches apart, not on the joint, one lower the other higher
Do not the unit in bed at night you may turn the power on too high when sleeping
If you are in any doubt see the doctor we all use this kit in different ways, although I can understand where they are coming from, you should only effect the nerve you are treating.
Remember too much power is just as bad as to little hard pulsing can cause pain in other areas .and you do not want to go there
The tens electrode lead are red/black red is a higher the black is black lower some have a white line down the A lead B is the lower lead As said the Kings booklet are very good reading on where to put the electrodes, pain clinics give them with their TENS Ask where to get one if you cannot hunt one down try where you purchased your machine
All the best
BOB
Many thanks for this helpful advice Bob.
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