Crockett here. I have tried virtually every known therapy -- steroid injections at the nerve root (spine), physical therapy, pharmaceuticals (tramadol and gabapentin currently), acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic, etc. I stay active, keep moving, and control my weight. I know a TENS unit can be a hassle to apply, wear, and recharge. But that's about it. So I would like to hear from anyone who has had significant experience with it.
This is just to let everyone know that the TENS machine that I had offered has been taken by Crockett and
I am pleased to say that he says it is working for him!!!
What the TRNS unit does is supposed to fool your brain into thinking of the vibration it gives and for you to forget your pain - good luck! Medicare pays for it, so worth a try. My pain too big! @ladyjane85
@user_ch30d2d11 My TENS unit is just a bit bigger than a deck of cards. It is battery powered,has adjustable strength settings, and uses wire leads which attach to you by sticky electrodes. I use mine daily. It cuts back on the amount of pain medication I need to take for neck pain from degenerative discs and bone spurs, as well as fibromyalgia.
Crockett here; In case you are curious, TENS is an acronym for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The periodic trickles of electrical stimulation, which can be programmed to your liking, distract the brain from the pain signals it is receiving from the same area of the body. This helps in at least two ways: (1) It reduces the perceived strength of the pain signals to the brain; and, (2) It interrupts the cycle of muscle tension that can be triggered by pain, and cause other secondary problems.
A friend on this site had a TENS unit that had not been effective for her, and she offered it to me to use when my stenosis was most severe. It was wonderfully effective. I have since had a bilateral laminectomy, cages inserted between L4 and L5, and between L5 and S1. These three vertebrae have also been fused. My surgery was just three weeks ago, and I am now more free of back pain than I have been in 15 or 20 years. Now I am using the TENS unit on my right hip, which is just about worn out. My pain is like a prairie dog. Eradicate it in one area, and it pops up somewhere else!
Crockett here; In case you are curious, TENS is an acronym for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The periodic trickles of electrical stimulation, which can be programmed to your liking, distract the brain from the pain signals it is receiving from the same area of the body. This helps in at least two ways: (1) It reduces the perceived strength of the pain signals to the brain; and, (2) It interrupts the cycle of muscle tension that can be triggered by pain, and cause other secondary problems.
A friend on this site had a TENS unit that had not been effective for her, and she offered it to me to use when my stenosis was most severe. It was wonderfully effective. I have since had a bilateral laminectomy, cages inserted between L4 and L5, and between L5 and S1. These three vertebrae have also been fused. My surgery was just three weeks ago, and I am now more free of back pain than I have been in 15 or 20 years. Now I am using the TENS unit on my right hip, which is just about worn out. My pain is like a prairie dog. Eradicate it in one area, and it pops up somewhere else!
@crockett I am glad to hear that the TENS unit was helpful for you. I tried one years ago and for me it was just more pain on top of pain. But that is a good example of why we all should keep trying new things until we find what works best. 19lin
@user-ch30d2d11 just saw this post Ive had my Tens unit for years The hand held unit vibrates electrical sensation and relaxes my muscles My chiropractor puts it on my back with ice or heat In summer,ice,but in winter ,heat, this is what I use I have a personal one I use at home .It will relax your muscles and all ,tissues ,nerves so they are free to move .Dr. Showed me where to apply the electrodes love mine.
@jen Thank you Jen for explanation Ive used my TENS unit at least for 10 years My nerves going into legs are effected from back .I can tell everyone who is interested
in this unit it relaxes the muscles and nerves I do get relief its not a cure all but relieves the pain.
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1 ReactionThis is just to let everyone know that the TENS machine that I had offered has been taken by Crockett and
I am pleased to say that he says it is working for him!!!
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2 Reactions@tonyc55 A TENS unit stands for transcutaneous (applied to the skin) electrical nerve stimulation. Here is a link about with in depth information. http://www.mayoclinic.org/tens/img-20006686
What the TRNS unit does is supposed to fool your brain into thinking of the vibration it gives and for you to forget your pain - good luck! Medicare pays for it, so worth a try. My pain too big! @ladyjane85
I haven't heard anything about this unit? Is it small and portable. Did someone you know use it successfully?
@user_ch30d2d11 My TENS unit is just a bit bigger than a deck of cards. It is battery powered,has adjustable strength settings, and uses wire leads which attach to you by sticky electrodes. I use mine daily. It cuts back on the amount of pain medication I need to take for neck pain from degenerative discs and bone spurs, as well as fibromyalgia.
Crockett here; In case you are curious, TENS is an acronym for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The periodic trickles of electrical stimulation, which can be programmed to your liking, distract the brain from the pain signals it is receiving from the same area of the body. This helps in at least two ways: (1) It reduces the perceived strength of the pain signals to the brain; and, (2) It interrupts the cycle of muscle tension that can be triggered by pain, and cause other secondary problems.
A friend on this site had a TENS unit that had not been effective for her, and she offered it to me to use when my stenosis was most severe. It was wonderfully effective. I have since had a bilateral laminectomy, cages inserted between L4 and L5, and between L5 and S1. These three vertebrae have also been fused. My surgery was just three weeks ago, and I am now more free of back pain than I have been in 15 or 20 years. Now I am using the TENS unit on my right hip, which is just about worn out. My pain is like a prairie dog. Eradicate it in one area, and it pops up somewhere else!
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4 Reactions@crockett I am glad to hear that the TENS unit was helpful for you. I tried one years ago and for me it was just more pain on top of pain. But that is a good example of why we all should keep trying new things until we find what works best. 19lin
@user-ch30d2d11 just saw this post Ive had my Tens unit for years The hand held unit vibrates electrical sensation and relaxes my muscles My chiropractor puts it on my back with ice or heat In summer,ice,but in winter ,heat, this is what I use I have a personal one I use at home .It will relax your muscles and all ,tissues ,nerves so they are free to move .Dr. Showed me where to apply the electrodes love mine.
@jen Thank you Jen for explanation Ive used my TENS unit at least for 10 years My nerves going into legs are effected from back .I can tell everyone who is interested
in this unit it relaxes the muscles and nerves I do get relief its not a cure all but relieves the pain.
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