kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
My daughter is going to starting using a TENS unit for her spine pain. I also has a muscle stimulator.
She has spine pain, that is horrible. She's had it for five years. It has not gone away with the last three years of treatment.
She had an MRI done, and it shows every disk in her back has some kind of bulge. But, not enough to impinge on a nerve. It also shows another complication, that the doctor thinks is unrelated.
He thinks all her pain is coming from muscle issues.
I am not sure about this. We are going to try the TENS and physical therapy for one month.
posted
tens has helped me on my thigh areas of arms, tendonititis, pelvic floor muscles, but never had it on spine!
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
My first encounter with a TENS unit was while going to Physical Therapy. This was before I knew what was causing all my pain.
For me personally, the short amount of time P.T. was using it, really didn't do much good. BUT later on, while going to one of those Natural Health type fairs, I found a portable unit for sale.
Since that was a time I had "sucker" on my forehead and was buying anything to help, this was one purchase I can say was WONDERFUL for me.
I was using it for longer periods in a day and for fibromyalgia type pain, it was amazing on my trigger points.
Once diagnosed with lyme and while on treatment, much of my pain settled down, so I had stuffed it away. But when I was started up on IV's, the pain has come roaring back and I swear this unit has been a Godsend since I've never done well with pain pills or any med tampering with the mind.
So for me, I would say that giving it a try would be highly recommended. Not two people respond the same way and what works for one, doesn't another, but for me, I have been relying very heavily on it.
Good luck.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Thank you! That's encouraging. The unit the doc is prescribing also has a muscle stimulator.
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
You can buy TENS units in drugstores in the UK. Here - they charge you as much for 1 treatment as it is to buy a whole unit in the drugstore in the UK & treat yourself.
It's kind of a racket - if you ask me...
It helps temporarily but it doesn't heal the problem. This is just my experience. I think it changes how the brain reacts to the pain signal... it doesn't do much for the actual cause of the pain. This is what I gather from my experience. I'm no expert, though.
You may be better off looking for a device that uses infrared light but there are some precautions you have to take if you are treating someone with Lyme.
Infrared light does help with pain - in my experience.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797
posted
Well, my daughter has been on abx for the past three years, so we are treating the underlying issue.
Temporary help, that doesn't require a narcotic, sounds good to me.
We have a far-infrared sauna. I've been doing research on near infrared light.
Do you have one? Does it help?
Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I use the LightWorks. There are other infrared devices on the market, though.
TENS are OK but I think the Alpha-stim is better. They are similar principles. Some people don't like them. You may want to try it before purchasing it.
Painkillers also help. I used to have to take Oxycontin every day. It's very helpful. After I started using the infrared light - I was able to really cut back on pain meds.
The infrared LED arrays are different that using a sauna. The light is more focused & direct. You have to be careful with it since the infrared light seems to effect people with Lyme. It can cause a pretty extreme healing reaction - especially if you are on abx.
Best to go slow & take it easy. If you try the infrared light - in my opinion - it's best to stop abx. This is a big decision for some...
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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