May the Pain GO AWAY (TENS Pain Relief Unit)

Member Name: David A. Brett

Product:	TENS Pain Relief Unit
Date:	11/06/02 (2136 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: pain relief, drug free, no side effects

Disadvantages: Can be expensive, Need to replace batteries, Electronic pads lose grip

When your in pain what do you do? Reach for the pill bottle? Say “Pain, pain go away”? Or do you reach for the Tens machine?

I’ve done all three in my time, and believe me the simple talking doesn’t work. Pills relieve some of the pain but not necessarily all.

In May 1998 I was admitted to Addenbrooke’s hospital for an amputation of my leg! Now I was warned before the operation that I might experience some phantom pains. When I quizzed what phantom pains were I was told “You might get pains in your leg, even though your leg isn’t there”! Ridiculous! I thought how could you get pains in something that isn’t there?

Following the operation I was pain free, my attitude was extremely positive, and of course for a day or so I was on morphine. My Consultant had assured me I was looking at three weeks at least in hospital! But hey, what do consultants know? I was out within the week! I was that positive and that pain free I constantly asked when I could go home, from the day after my operation.

Finally at home, I began to relax and even though things at home were difficult (in as much as I needed to be careful with my new ‘stump’.) It was shortly after arriving home that the phantom pains began to kick in. I was getting pain in my foot, shooting pains down my leg, and itches on my sole.

Going for a fitting for an artificial leg, the doctor there asked about any phantom pains, I explained I was getting them and some were rather bad. He prescribed some anti-epileptic drugs for me. Apparently it’s all to do with the nerves, which is ultimately what phantom pains are.

The pills he prescribed helped a little, but nothing improved that much. So while I was attending physiotherapy one day I mentioned them to her. She instantly gave me the loan of a tens machine. Nodding politely I pretended I knew what it was and accepted her offer. After all if it he
lped a little then two little make a bigger little (with me?) don’t they?

She explained how to use the device, and sent me home. I used the machine daily and within a day or so noticed a dramatic change in the frequency and strength of the phantom pains. Within a few days the pains had significantly reduced to such a point that I left off the anti-epileptic, and by the time I had to revisit the physiotherapist the pains were all but gone. But alas the Tens machine was the property of the physio department, and they wanted it back.

This meant I had to invest in a TENS machine of my own, souring my local Boots store I found their own brand machine and instantly paid the money to carry on the work of the previous machine.

The price now is around £69.99, although they are available for £29.99 from http://www.norlite.co.uk/shop/Physiotherapy_TENS.h tm. Other places sell them and they vary from place to place so please check if you are interested in purchasing one.

With my own home machine I was soon totally pain free, so I decided to leave the machine off. And I remained pain free. It has since been used for backache, sciatica, and general pains. And worked efficiently on all of them.

So what does TENS stand for? Transcutaneous electro-nerve stimulation is what Tens is abbreviated for.

So what does it do? The pulses massage your nerves and create extra endorphins (the bodies natural pain killers): As the stimulation of your nerves by the TENS is very fast, it therefore is able to block slower moving messages of pain from the brain.

So how do you operate one? They will vary slightly from machine to machine but this one has four electrodes, which you fix, to an area around the painful spot. You then simply switch the machine on with one of the two buttons, and select one of the many (9 I think) different pulses and strengths. Once you find the right one, just carry on as normal OR sit/lay and rest w
hile it works. The machine comes with a clip, which can attach to a waistline or belt.

Can anyone use it? Warnings are issued for:

· Pain that is undiagnosed
· People with heart disease and or using a pacemaker
· Pregnant women less than 12 weeks
· Not for use on pregnant women ever on their tummies


Summary:

I have been more than satisfied with my Tens machine, it has stopped me taking many a pill I have felt uncomfortable taking. In addition it has stopped the painkillers I used to take. They are not cheap to buy and usually run on one or two batteries, although the batteries do last quite a while (mine have lasted about two years so far which is a miracle for any battery I suspect). Check out for prices, as this is not the cheapest by far and I spied some cheaper ones on the net (as mentioned). I do have a qualm about the electrodes though, they do tend to ‘come lose’ with body moisture (sweat). Recommended


Rating:

Design 8/10
Ease of use 5/10 (until you get the hang of it when it ups to 8/10)
Pain relief 8/10
Overall 8/10

Thanks for reading - Dave

Summary: