Has anyone had success with TENS machines and massagers on the market?

Posted by dougies @dougies, Nov 28, 2023

My neuropathy mostly effects the bottom of my feet (numbness) but slowly has been moving up through my toes and feet. Some clinics offer these TENS units plus a few other treatment modalities at a very high cost. Makes more sense to just buy the machines. Have they helped anyone out there?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

Hi @dougies, I have mostly numbness in my feet and a little in the legs that started 25 years or so ago. I did try an expensive Zopec DT-1200 back in 2016 for a few months but it didn't provide any relief for me for the numbness. What's helped me more than anything is taking better care of my feet and using a moisturizer lotion to keep them from getting dry. I did try an inexpensive foot massager and although it didn't help the numbness it did make my feet feel better for a little while.

There are quite a few comments and discussions on TENS and massagers for neuropathy. Easy way to find them is using the search box at the top of the page. Here is a list of the results for TENS +massager +neuropathy -- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=TENS+%2Bmassager+%2Bneuropathy

There are a lot more comments and discussions found just searching for TENS +neuropathy --- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=TENS++%2Bneuropathy

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@johnbishop

Hi @dougies, I have mostly numbness in my feet and a little in the legs that started 25 years or so ago. I did try an expensive Zopec DT-1200 back in 2016 for a few months but it didn't provide any relief for me for the numbness. What's helped me more than anything is taking better care of my feet and using a moisturizer lotion to keep them from getting dry. I did try an inexpensive foot massager and although it didn't help the numbness it did make my feet feel better for a little while.

There are quite a few comments and discussions on TENS and massagers for neuropathy. Easy way to find them is using the search box at the top of the page. Here is a list of the results for TENS +massager +neuropathy -- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=TENS+%2Bmassager+%2Bneuropathy

There are a lot more comments and discussions found just searching for TENS +neuropathy --- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=TENS++%2Bneuropathy

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I have used a TENS machine for many years and find it very helpful for my back pain. I haven't tried it for neuropathic pain in my feet,

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The Sanexas treatment machine looks like a big TENS unit, but it is much more than that! A TENS machine is like a X-ray and RST SANEXAS neoGEN device is like getting a MRI. More powerful frequencies and over 20 different treatment programs designed for acute and chronic painful conditions.
It has lots of electrodes that send electrical impulses through the skin with the goal of regrowing nerves. It was not at all painful, just a soothing electrical massage to my arms and legs.

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Checking to see if anyone is using tens machine for numbness. My only symptom so far is numb feet. I don't have a diagnosis yet. Trying to determine next pest step. Neurologist. maybe Podiatrist. Hoping for a natural solution. Looking online, I found a Neuropathy clinic I'm considering. In the reviews I see where several people have had success for numbness with treatments. Sounds like Tens machine or something similar. Suggestions. Other than some numbness, occasional cold feet,no other symptoms. It dies have some affect on my balance at times but not really impacting my walking so far. I average walking around 2 miles a day. When weather fit. I am 72 and not a diabetic.

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Hello @rkjb1951. I moved your discussion and combined it with a discussion titled, "Has anyone had success with TENS machines and massagers on the market?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-had-success-with-tens-machines-and-massagers-on-the-market/.

@dougies and @dianeswan41gmail have recently discussed their experiences or having the same question around a TENS unit and neuropathy. @rkjb1951, have you made an appointment to confirm your numbness?

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@rkjb1951

Checking to see if anyone is using tens machine for numbness. My only symptom so far is numb feet. I don't have a diagnosis yet. Trying to determine next pest step. Neurologist. maybe Podiatrist. Hoping for a natural solution. Looking online, I found a Neuropathy clinic I'm considering. In the reviews I see where several people have had success for numbness with treatments. Sounds like Tens machine or something similar. Suggestions. Other than some numbness, occasional cold feet,no other symptoms. It dies have some affect on my balance at times but not really impacting my walking so far. I average walking around 2 miles a day. When weather fit. I am 72 and not a diabetic.

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I’ll look forward to seeing what you discover. I (type I diabetic) had slight numbness in my feet too, but the neurologist said that is not what I had after multiple tests. So……for now, I’m attributing it to Post covid syndrome, which I do have.

I am interested in anything that might help. I walk daily and work out several times per week. It seems to be improving, but still persists. I’ve wondered about Tens treatment.

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I also wondered about covid, but that was Aug 22. I did have some long covid symptoms, I guess. About 2 and 1/2 months to get over covid fatigue. I was pretty healthy prior to that except for breaking a leg in a bike accident, 8 month recovery/ 2 surgeries before covid. I was just back to walking ,caring for my mom. We both caught it. She passed from covid.

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No diagnosis confirmed yet. Trying to decide between neurologist or neuropathy clinic also.

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@rkjb1951

Checking to see if anyone is using tens machine for numbness. My only symptom so far is numb feet. I don't have a diagnosis yet. Trying to determine next pest step. Neurologist. maybe Podiatrist. Hoping for a natural solution. Looking online, I found a Neuropathy clinic I'm considering. In the reviews I see where several people have had success for numbness with treatments. Sounds like Tens machine or something similar. Suggestions. Other than some numbness, occasional cold feet,no other symptoms. It dies have some affect on my balance at times but not really impacting my walking so far. I average walking around 2 miles a day. When weather fit. I am 72 and not a diabetic.

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Please save your money, tens machine are not a therapeutic way of taking care of numbness in poly neuropathy.

Please read my story, posted here earlier

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/645606/

Let me know what you think

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Hi I have bottom feet numbness like I am walking on bubble pack. I used a 10s unit for about a year and did not help. What I am usinging now is Outback Tropical Spray 2-3 times a week on feet and I am taking a Infred treatments 2 times a week a prescribed process and covered by some Ins. companies. So far this us helping some what.

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