I just got a tens unit to help with my shoulder. I have a bone cyst (RA, thank you), a bone spur and tendonitis. It is untreatable by surgery and physical therapy is only giving me a minimum of relief. I take a lot of vicodine which I don't like.
Ah, but the tens, that might just be the answer for me. So far, I love it. I really get a buzz out of it.
Any one else used one?
What is a tens, Deanna? How do you use it? I have never heard of it? Please explain a little.TENS is an electrical stimulation unit. It stimulates the blood vessels and tissues and helps them rejuvenate and regrow. At least that is the way I understand it.
Some people don't like them, but that may be because of the one used rather than all TENs. They are using it on me because tendonitis is not curable by any particular means. It takes physical therapy, ultrasound, heat, alternating ice and heat and now the TENs.
But I like the TENs. It isn't painful and you can adjust your own level according to your pain. It feels kind of like bugs dancing beneath your skin, but it seems to interrupt the pain messages. My shoulder has been excruiating. They have been using the TENs and ultrasound at physical therapy along with giving me exercises. It helps so much.
So, the doctor said to set me up with one. It is very small and I can carry it with me, putting it under my clothes. It attaches to your skin like the electrodes that they use with an EKG. You can use it up to two hours at a time (based on battery). I'll take two hours of pain relief.
I was getting very discouraged with my progress on the physical therapy this time. But I think maybe, keeping my fingers crossed here, that this might do it for me.
Hopefully, this is true because otherwise it is just another chronic pain issue.
RA cause both tendonitis and bursitis. You might not even know you have them. But a good doctor can spot them right away. This could be the source of a lot of the pain some of you express regarding your legs.
Massage is also a wonderful remedy. If you can find someone to do that for you that is good at it, it is well worth it. Even going to some place that offers massage may be worth it. It is cheaper than a lot of pain killers and good for your body.
The way I got to this is a referraly by my RA doc to the ortho doc to the physical therapist. Physical therapist can be an absolute god send. They are very good at evaluating what is going on. I've found them to be very gentle, caring people who are also very knowledgeable about our disease. In fact, much that I initially learned about this disease came from the physical therapists.
I have had a TENS unit for my neck and shoulder for a little over a year. I have practically eliminated the need for pain meds for my neck and shouler/upper back because of it. It is fantastic. My unit is a small portable that I can wear at work or what ever. I dont need it very often, but it works when nothing else does. It is not going to relieve joint pain, but for anyone that has muscle spasms and tension of any kind, it will loosen them up in just 10 min. Most PT and chiropractors use them in conjunction with moist heat at the start of a stretching/strengthening session or adjustment to loosen up the musculature around the joints. In PT, they usually follow up the session with a nice cold pack. With a home TENS unit you could essentially be giving yourself treatments at home. I was given a tens unit as part of physical therapy for my hip joints. It does work for me most of the time but then sometimes it can make the pain worse. I think I might be using the wrong settings or setting the number too high and giving myself too much of a zap.So glad you warned me about my brain, no telling what kind of damage I could have done. You are funny!!!
I have never heard of the tens unit, but very interested. How do you go about getting one? Do you have to go thru your Dr.?
This sounds like it really might be good for my neck & shoulders that hurt all the time.
Oh yes, I'll be sure to keep it away from my brain (what brain??) lol
Trisha
Usually you get one through a physical therapist. Ask your RA doctor to send you to one for evaluation. I love the response I'm getting so far. But then I have always loved new toys.I think you need a perscription to get one but I am not sure. My ex sis in law gave me the one I have. I need new electrodes for mine...they are losing their stick. If you have it on and one of the leads is loose you get a nice little jolt! That will teach you to use old leads!! [QUOTE=trtldy41]
Descartes241,
I felt like the ultrasound at Physical Therapy helped me a lot. But when I asked about getting a home unit, they discouraged it because they said those were not as strong.
But if you are getting relief from one, I would be curious how you got yours. The TENS definitely helps, but the ultrasound seems to settle those tendons down.
This is something i hope to ask my rhummy about this week. I keep getting to see a different one each time (all in training) so i have to repeat over and over and over and over, so feels like nothing ever gets done.
Shanbr, really hope you are able to get some results this time. You suffer far too much as it is.
I don't have advice, just wishing you the best.
I really love my TENS unit, I use it for muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders. I dont think I would like it on my legs or anything like that. The US unit is much gentler for more sensitive area.
Now I all I need is a hot tub!
Originally I learned about it from seeing it on TV. I bought my unit online from a site, http://www.hometherapy.ca. I also found an excellent site just the other day that seems to have a really good explanation of how it works (http://www.aidyourpain.ca). I was just saying to Crunchy in another thread that I haven't really come across anyone else with a Sonic Relief unit. I may be a unique case or I may just be one of the few people who've tried it so far - I don't know. I do know that, for me, it has worked miracles.
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