Do you use a Tens Machine?

Question

If so what do you use it for and does it work well?
I am going to purchase one for my extremely tight & saw muscles in my neck & back due to my fused vertebrae in my neck C5 & C6

Thx :o) xXx

Answer 1

yes i do and I recommend them highly

I feel much better now

good luck

Answer 2

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Used for pain relief, works very well for some people while the machine is on. I'm a physio and have given out these machines a lot. Sometimes good to trial one first before you buy as the sensation is a bit weird and some people don't like it. Works via the pain gate theory partially, basically sends electrical impulses up the nerves and blocks them so pain stimuli can't go up them! Good for pain but not so good for muscle spasm which seems to be what is causing the pain in your neck. As someone else mentioned heat is really good for relaxing muscles. also need to do some muscle stretches. hope this is of help. any other questions you can e mail me. cheers

Answer 3

Yeah i fractured my lower spine a few years back. Tried most things for the pain but found a combination of Physio and a tens machine worked the best.

Answer 4

I have been using a tens unit for the past 18months. I have had 5 lumbar fusions. While it works well for back pain, The warning that came with mine said specifically not to use it on the head & neck. You should talk with your doctor or physical therapist to make sure that it's ok for you to use it on your neck.

Answer 5

As you can see from the wide variety of answers above effectiveness varies widely. I would you rent or borrow one first to see if it will work for your particular situation.

Basically it works be stimulating a nerve or group of nerves with a mild electrical current. The theory is that the electrical stimulation overrides the pain stimulus and you feel a mild "buzzing" feeling rather than the pain.

Answer 6

I have C2-T2 damaged vertebra and rely on my Tens when I reach max level of pain killers. I couldn't cope without it. Mine has 4 pads which means I can use it in 2 seperate places at once. Perfect when my shoulders seize up.

Answer 7

I used it for my shoulder. The machine plus warm compress prior to its use worked wonders for me. But after a while, my body got used to it. It lost its effectivity. Use for a couple of months, twice or three times a week. Then again after 2 months without using it. At least that was the advice given to me by my Physical Therapist. You should also do some exercises to strengthen the muscles in your problem area.

Answer 8

I suffer from a worn disc in my neck & have used a Tens machine to ease the pain. Took a few treatments, but it did work

Answer 9

Buy a good one. If you are going that route. Also try Vitamins such as omega 3-6-9, vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C,D and E

Answer 10

There advertised on the tv for use in pregnancy and labour so id say they are lol. If your still worried ask your midwife 1st. Boots rent them, around £30 for 9 weeks but there around that price to buy so you may aswell just buy it and if you dont like it then dont use it. Same price as just renting anyway. Let us know if it works!

Answer 11

i have to slipped discs in the lumbar area of my spine which causes extreme pain in my lower back and legs, and am on the list for an operation to help me.

the tens machine sends electronic pulses through your body and you can set it at whatever pattern you feel suits you and to what speed you want.

unfortunatley it didnt work for me and increased my pain but for most people it is very helpful, although it didnt work for me, i'd still recommend you try it.

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