Anyone used a TENS machine for pain?

[Athene]

Has anyone used a TENS machine for generalised body pain?
If so, what was it like and how much did it help?
And can they be used for headaches?

 

[ZoeHines]

I am in the process of ordering one, so will let you know how it pans out. I have disgusting nerve pain in my groin and hip, I have to do something other than higher doses of pain killers. I have heard they are good with headaches, especially TMJ associated.

 

[ukxmrv]

My experience was that the TENS machine accentuated my pain and made it worse. I've only ever tried it for a nerve / injury type pain. If I had tried for a general post exertion muscle pain it may have been more effective. Not tried for headache sorry.

 

[kerrilyn]

TENS has helped me. I wrote about it in a thread yesterday http://www.forums.aboutmecfs.org/showthread.php?7412-Pain-meds-for-CFS-expert-review-anywhere.

You can't put the electrodes on your head, no higher than the base of your skull, so I don't know if it would help for headaches.

 

[ixchelkali]

Before I got ME/CFS, I had TENS treatments to reduce the pain from a herniated disc, and it helped. But when I had a TENS treatment for the fibromyalgia/CFS pain, it really knocked the stuffing out of me, and brought on a pretty bad crash. And it didn't help the pain, either. I would not care to repeat the experiment.

 

[alex3619]

Hi, I have considered a TENS unit for years but not tried one. They could, theoretically, reduce neurological pain. However, they also trigger muscle activity, constantly. This could lead to severely exacerbated CFS muscle pain. Do be cautiious if using one.

bye
Alex

 

[Athene]

Thank you for your replies, everyone.

I wonder if we could figure out the factor that makes it worse for some, but helpful for others??

One other silly question - do these gadgets have needles? I saw an image that looked like sticky pads, but the text talked about inserting needles. Do they all have this?

 

[ukxmrv]

Mine had sticky pads (no needles that I could see).

 

[Athene]

That's good to know, UK!

 

[sleepy237]

Hi Athene, I have a tens unit and I am sure there is a diagram that shows you can put a pad on temple for migraines you would have to check this out with your doctor or the manufacturer first. My experience of tens is that it helps at the time but like others have said, it can feel worse afterwards, but I wonder if that is because it is releasing some tension or stuff from the muscles themselves like some of the protocols and recovery stories say you will feel worse before you feel better but for bad pain in them moment tens does work, by acting on pain signals from the brain, hope it works for you

 

[Misfit Toy]

I used a tens machine for back pain and especially sciatica. I would be concerned about using one for headaches because as others have said, it could trigger muscle spasms. If you have fibro pain in the neck and shoulders, it can help with that. Just don't keep it on all the time. Mine used to help me to fall asleep.

 

[Parissis]

I used a tens machine off and on for many years - sometimes it would help quite a bit and other times, nothing.

However, about a month ago, I purchased an LED hand held light device to use for fibromyalgia pain. It is unbelievable. It emits white light that has had the UV radiation and heat filtered out. You basically hold it up against your aching muscles (for me, myofascial trigger points) and after about 10 minutes the results are amazing. The tight muscles literally melt under your fingers. The increase in blood flow, endorphins and ATP in the muscle creates some sort of event that forces the muscle into relaxation and the pain relief is astounding. I have had FM for 22+ years and this device is truly a miracle for me. My husband, who does not have FM, eliminated his daily headaches after one treatment to the muscles on the back of his neck. I would recommend this over the TENS machine.

 

[ZoeHines]

Thought I would get back to you. I have been using my tens machine for a week now, and so far I am amazed by the pain relief.
I stick the electrodes on, and have it at a lowish setting, and it has allowed for me to cut down on my pain killer intake, and I have actually had a few nights sleep since using it!
That's being said, it's not for everyone, but I LOVE IT.

Here is a link for the one I got, it's about $100 cheaper than I have seen the same unit else where. Take Care.

http://www.physicalhealthonline.com.au/catalog/detail.cfm?item_id=50852&cat_id=6869

 

[*GG*]

I used a tens machine off and on for many years - sometimes it would help quite a bit and other times, nothing.

However, about a month ago, I purchased an LED hand held light device to use for fibromyalgia pain. It is unbelievable. It emits white light that has had the UV radiation and heat filtered out. You basically hold it up against your aching muscles (for me, myofascial trigger points) and after about 10 minutes the results are amazing. The tight muscles literally melt under your fingers. The increase in blood flow, endorphins and ATP in the muscle creates some sort of event that forces the muscle into relaxation and the pain relief is astounding. I have had FM for 22+ years and this device is truly a miracle for me. My husband, who does not have FM, eliminated his daily headaches after one treatment to the muscles on the back of his neck. I would recommend this over the TENS machine.

How did you obtain this Machine? Can you provide a link to it and/or some info?

thanks!

GG

 

[Parissis]

The pain clinic where I receive trigger point injections told me about the device. My pain specialist has a private practice and he uses them in his practice and had nothing but good things to say. Below are two links, one is for the company who developed the technology and sells the devices and the other link is for a video demonstrating on youtube. I have the hand held device (not the light chair) but I tell you - if I could afford it, I would buy the light chair in a second. The first time In used it on the muscles right at the base of the scalp I thought I had gone to heaven. After about 8 minutes I could stretch further then I had in a looonnnngggg time and the feeling was so nice. I have have alot of head, neck pain and it has gone way down. I am not a sales person ...just really loving this device.

http://www.kerberresearch.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtvxsBIjWlk

 

[Gavman]

From a body therapists perspective.. after using any kind of device like this.. drink lots of water. You've just stirred up toxins in your system and the sooner they pass through you the better you'll feel. It will dehydrate you.

As for headache pain.. try loosening up the shoulders first. Working on the head and neck should be secondary as there are more indicators not to.