Tens machines

[Mups]

One of these  has been recommended to me,  but I would like to know more about them before I fork out for something only to find its useless.

Has anyone here ever owned one,  or used one?
If so,  how did you get on with it?  
Did it help you,  or did you find it useless?

Any info on this would be appreciated please. 
Thanks very much. 

[klondike]

I have one and have used it for my own back problem. What they do is pass a varying electric current through the skin which penetrates a little lower to the muscles below. This makes the muscles twitch which helps in freeing up the spasm they go into with back pain that is caused by trapped nerves which mine were. I found it gave me considerable relief and think it speeded up recovery.

If you do get one I'd recommend you get a decent one with a number of different programs. Start on low a setting and go right through each program to check if it intensifies. The reason I say that is because the machine I have has one program that does just that and if you start too high when it switches to a different sequence it can be quite unpleasant.

My machine is an Omron E3 Intense and they seem to sell for just over £40 now depending where you buy. It has a variety of programs for different muscle groups such as back legs neck and feet. I've only ever used it for my back. I set the intensity such that I notice it but not so high that it is annoying. As you get accustomed to it the intensity you use is likely to get higher. The instructions recommend some short period but I have ignored that quite often and had it going for ages. I found that the sensation of it running somehow lessened any pain from the backache but I don't think that is going to be the case for all. I think the benefit comes from it relaxing the muscles and allowing movement again.

Genuine replacement pads are expensive. I got Chinese fakes off Aliexpress - cheap and work perfectly.

[Michael Rolls]

I used to use one but can no longer do so as it would interfere with my pacemaker. Whilst I used it, I found it quite useful

[Mups]

Klondike,  thank you so much for all the information, very interesting.

Funny enough,  it was an Omron one I was looking at.   They have them on Amazon,  but it doesn't say how many pads come with it?   Some makes seem to have only 2, while others show 4.
It was my chiropractor who suggested this,  she said she uses one herself on her own back. Hers is a Auvon.
Do you use yours every day?  If so,  how long do the pads last, and how do you know when they need replacing?


March 15, 2025, 01:26:46 PM

I used to use one but can no longer do so as it would interfere with my pacemaker. Whilst I used it, I found it quite useful

Thank you for that Michael.   
I believe I read somewhere not to use them with Pacemakers,  but still very worth mentioning.

[klondike]

Two pads is one channel and four pads is two. Mine is single channel and has two pads which worked well enough for my back. Two channels would be handy if the problem was say both legs as you could then do both together while a single channel machine would mean you'd need to do one first then the other.

I only use the thing when I have a back problem that lasts beyond a couple of days. I haven't needed it in ages and had pretty much forgotten it until you mentioned them. When my back plays up I tend to put the thing on then run one cycle after another for quite a while which isn't what the instructions suggest.

The pads are a sort of sticky rubber like the stuff on fluff gathering rollers and can be washed under a tap. I think I still have my original pads but I just got some cheap when I saw what they were charging for genuine ones. I did try the fakes and they worked ok. Not sure how long they would last. All they need do is stick to your skin and convey the power to your skin. If they don't stick reliably after washing it's going to be time for new ones.

[Mups]

Thanks again Klondike.

It's hard to imagine exactly what you describe because I have never seen one before,  but I have been informed by amazon that mine will arrive today.  Then the fun starts as I am worse than useless with technology,  so I hope its not too difficult. 

Oh well,  I shall soon find out, won't I. 

[Raven]

Good luck with it Mups I hope it gives you the relief you need.

[klondike]

Easy enough to use...
 
https://www.healthline.com/health/tens-unit-for-lower-back-pain-placement#placement

If you picked the same one I have then I'll just say that I just used the M button to hightlight lower back on the display and then the up/down arrows to set intensity. I may have tried the two different hand pictured options but I'm guessing I didn't like them as I can't recall using them.

[Mups]

Good luck with it Mups I hope it gives you the relief you need.

Thanks Raven.
I will let you know how it goes.


March 16, 2025, 06:13:56 PM

Easy enough to use...
 
https://www.healthline.com/health/tens-unit-for-lower-back-pain-placement#placement

If you picked the same one I have then I'll just say that I just used the M button to hightlight lower back on the display and then the up/down arrows to set intensity. I may have tried the two different hand pictured options but I'm guessing I didn't like them as I can't recall using them.

I'll have a read of that link,  thanks Klondike.
Amazon still haven't been.   Pity,  as I don't like the doorbell going after dark. 

[klondike]

Check the app or emails to make sure it doesn't say delivered. 

[Mups]

Check the app or emails to make sure it doesn't say delivered.

It's all OK,   just arrived about 20 mins ago. 

Now the fun starts.