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I want to know more about TENS stimulation
TENS means transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. "A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) sends electrical pulses through the skin to start your body's own pain killers. The electrical pulses can release endorphins and other substances to stop pain signals in the brain. TENS can reduce pain."
This sounds good but I am still at the level of curiosity coupled with fear. Can TENS cause brain damage? And what's this about too much B6 causing more damage? I don't see how we can group everybody's metabolic systems into one clump. Can this stimulator cure PN? How long does the pain level stay at bay? How many treatments do you need and how often? I've seen the machines at Amazon. Would a neurologist have them in their office? Will this stimulator work on lumbar multilevel degenerative disc disease?
We do not have a neurologist in this whole county. And I'm not keen on traveling long distances to see one. And I just learned our Podiatrist is leaving so I need to find the new one who is replacing him. Your support is greatly accepted at all levels. Thanks. CB
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Hi CB, Wished I could tell you something different but there is no cure for neuropathy. There are a lot of different treatments for the symptoms of neuropathy and there are a lot of so called neuropathy "cures" on the market looking to sell you a cure. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to do our own research to help us decide what might work for us.
Quite a few members have posted their experience with TENS units. Here's a link that lists the discussions and comments by members - https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-025-02031-1. Here's an article that provides more information on TENS use.
-- TENS unit: Benefits, side effects, and research
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323632
I only have numbness with my neuropathy and did try a medical grade TENS unit, a Zopec DT-1200 ( https://www.zopec.com/products/zopec-electrotherapy-for-neuropathy-and-pain). I used it for about 3 months but it didn't help the numbness for me. My wife was curious and tried it for about 10 seconds and didn't like the zapping she got from it. If you haven't seen the list of complementary and alternative therapies on the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, you might want to see if there is something that might help you - https://www.foundationforpn.org/therapies/.
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1 ReactionExcellent. Thank you, John. I appreciate you sharing both you and your wife's experiences. I'd like to hear more like that from others. I went to the MFR link you gave me and quite honestly, the principals are on the line of accupressure to me. But it's all good. I want to stop hurting so I can get back to walking again. Hugs to everybody
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3 ReactionsSo many questions! I hardly know where to begin. Let's say that I have been down virtually every PN road with no help in reducing pain. I suppose TENS units may help some with minor pain, but I would not hold out hope for it to help with major pain. Spinal cord stimulators have have helped a lot of people, but there are also many who have had successful trials and received no help from the permanent implant. I just finished SCRAMBLER therapy that has helped a number of people, but did nothing for me. Avoid those ads claiming to have products curing PN. There is no cure, yet. The best you can hope for is to be able to mitigate the symptoms. I wish you well on your journey.
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5 ReactionsPN takes on many personalities, doesn't it? SCRAMBLER therapy. Humph! Another therapy but different than TENS. Thank you for your input.
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1 ReactionI have been using a tens unit on my lower back for years and it provides instant relief. I have Spondylolisthesis and in between radio frequency ablations I use the tens unit. It works on my legs too.
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1 ReactionIt certainly does. I thought SCRAMBLER was going to be the answer to Al least some of my PN pain. Not!
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2 ReactionsHello,
Since there are no concrete medical studies backing TENS as helpful with neuropathy, I really suggest to always follow the directions and instructions of your neurologist, off course provided you have one and a good one at that. Hopefully one would have had the right tests to at least obtain a diagnosis and then see if there is some type of a treatment plan not to cure neuropathy which, which currently to my knowledge, has no cure as of today, but at least slow down its progression. Sure you're aware that something might work for someone and may not work at all for someone else. Same neuropathy, different symptoms for different bodies, and different progression with different bodies, and different bodies respond differently to everything people have tried so far to alleviate some of the pain.
Best wishes,
gus
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2 ReactionsI use TENS for muscle recovery. I believe it has helped me return to baseball after a pulled hamstring in half the time. I wouldn’t try it above the base of my neck or anywhere near my head personally. It also seems to help my lower back soreness slightly.
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3 ReactionsHi Gus,
Love that name. Have you used TENS? And if so, what has been your experience? CB
Muscle recovery ... humph. And it helped your lower back, also. Would it be effective using on the lumbar sacral spine? And what about joints? Would it help hip joints?