Re: tens unit

[Guest guest]

sandy@... wrote:

>

> Hello! I was wondering if someone could explain to me what a tens unit

> is and what it does? Thanks for any info. Sandy

Sure can.

It can be held in your hand, or hung or a belt or shirt or a pocket.

What it does, is send electrical pulses to our skin.

It is a transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator. the tens unit

interferes with pain sensations. The following information comes from

the manual.

" Pain usually results when tissue is damaged or stressed. Nerve endings

detect the stress and transmit the information to the spinal cord where

it is relayed to the brain. Tens masks pain by interferring with

painful sensations with counter stimulation. It surpresses pain by

multiple mechanisms.

It stimulates peripheral nerves which produce pleasant senations that

distract the patient from the sensation of pain. "

hope this helps.

Connie

[Guest guest]

Sandy and others that may be considering the use of TENS for long term pain

management,

TENS stands for transcutaneous nerve stimulation and there are usually

several ways that the individual TENS units that can be set up to work on

different properties.

One way is low frequency: this method goes through the theory that with the

specific settings set a certain way that it causes a muscle contraction and

this message of a muscle contraction is sent to run up from the site of the

pads and to the brain to beat the message that you are having pain and thus

it's belief is that if the message to the brain receives no message of pain

then the pain is lessened.

High Frequency works on the theory of sending impulses to the brain via

sensory fiber routes to allow an added release of endorphins and encephalons

which are morphine like analgesic produced within your own body to assist

with the pain management. Our body produces these already and this is just

makes it produce more of it.

There is also a combo setting that allows both of the above theories to work.

TENS units themselves are very easy for the wearer to use at all times and

the key is finding which setting is best for you and the other ultimate key

is to find out where is the best way to put the pads. Most continual users

have four pad sites or two larger pad sites. They now make them disposable

but these tend to be expensive but are less irritative to our skin.

Do not be discouraged if the TENS does not work on the first time and

hopefully you will have a therapist to guide you with alternative sites to

try or other settings to change internally within the machine.

I am a physical therapist and I tried it for me but was unsuccessful and yet

is has been very successful for some of my other patients in dealing with

their chronic pain issues. Let me know if I can help you.

Sue Marsigli

[Guest guest]

Oconnell wrote:

Terry, I just read your post regarding wether or not the t.e.n.s.

unit is still working?

-----------

The answer is yes, it really takes away the pain of my sciatica

problem and my right legs, nearly constant numbness. I use it when I

need it, and it works great too.

They, I'm told, even have electric pads made just for the cervical

spine! I'm going to have to get them very soon, and I can use the

same T.E.N.S. unti too!

I could really use it now, but will have to go to a surgical supply

store to get it.

Ask your Doctor for a prescription for the tens unit. I don't think

you can get one without a prescription.

There are a lot of them available on-line too. You can just go to

www.tensunit.com and check them out before you buy.

Take care and good luck

[Guest guest]

Oconnell wrote: Oconnell wrote:

Terry, I just read your post regarding wether or not the t.e.n.s.

unit is still working?

-----------

The answer is yes, it really takes away the pain of my sciatica

problem and my right legs, nearly constant numbness. I use it when I

need it, and it works great too.

They, I'm told, even have electric pads made just for the cervical

spine! I'm going to have to get them very soon, and I can use the

same T.E.N.S. unti too!

I could really use it now, but will have to go to a surgical supply

store to get it.

Ask your Doctor for a prescription for the tens unit. I don't think

you can get one without a prescription.

There are a lot of them available on-line too. You can just go to

www.tensunit.com and check them out before you buy.

Take care and good luck