Have you got CHRONIC PAIN ??

Question

Have you been treated with an ENAR or a TENS machine ?
How did it help you and how many sessions did you have at what cost ???? Thanks for your answers in anticipation of some serious feedback.

Answer 1

Hi
I am a chronic pain patient now for 20 years and can tell you that people respond to treatments differently. I am giving you my honest and serious eval for you...

There are all kinds of Electric nerve stimulation and varies
ALL USE ELECTRIC CURRENT IN DIFFERENT WAYS TO PROMOTE HEALING.

TENS- Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stim ( outside on skin)
described as Nerve stim for HOME USE.
You dont have to shut the unit off - you can use it as often as you want . Totally portable and about the size of a pager.

MENS- I liked this a lot better. The impulses weren't as hard on the body! lol ( microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator)
It is MICRO-CURRENT and generally used as a "healing" treatment.

I did like this better because it relaxed me more and I felt the benefits were there. at the time of injury.

MANS (combination of both) Muscle and Nerve stimulation. (used more for pain and muscle rehab) -

ENAR- Sounds like something I would have liked to have- dont believe it was available for me...
http://www.enar.com.au/research.html

You can send for a DVD and info packet about the machine
.

I was treated with the Ultrasound and E-stim/ followed by massage in physical therapy. Then, I was given both TENS and MENS units to wear for pain control. did quite well. but I would ask for a MENS - I liked that alot better

I do not know the cost for an ENAR, but I do know that the TENS/MENS are for home and every day use - freeing up the time in physical therapy I believe they are 300 or less.

One thing I would like to say, what ever the treatment you are able to choose. ASK to try both - so YOU can decide. ok.

I would like to add that in the long run - these treatments helped me to ultimately decide about the treatment I am now going thru at the cost of 30k for the treatment, and extremely worth it.

I had a Spinal columm stimulator implant done in August 2005 and I ahve never felt better.
How to describe it; have u ever tried a battery operated massage -- well you know that tingling you feel aftewards - that anesthesia feeling.. feels excellent and comfortable -- I HAVE BARELY ANY PAIN AT ALL!

Answer 2

I have never used ENAR before, but I have used TENS therapy. I have used TENS before for several things: I used it in recovery from my knee surgery, I also used it after I got Lumbar Sympathetic blocks and my foot reacted badly, and I was able to use the TENS therapy to make my foot not bother me, and I have also done some TENS therapy with my RSD/CRPS which helped when I was able to handle the stimulus and the fact of just having the sticky pads on my skin. TENS therapy can be done at your own home after you get a prescription from your doctor to get one (most places require you to have one), and you can get a decent machine for around $80 (this is the unit that I have which has been very good http://www.tensunits.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=12205&Product_Code=7803 ) and then all you have to maintain is the sticky pads which depending on how often you use the unit depends on how often you replace them. I also have a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) which is like a TENS unit that is implated in your spine to help with chronic pain (depending on what is causing your pain it may or may not be helpful). You can get more info about a SCS at www.ans-medical.com

Answer 3

Yes, I live with chronic pain. I have never tried TENS itself but did try another kind of machine called electronic muscle stimulation (also used for chronic pain) and I only did it 3 times and saw that it didn't do much for me. I stopped it for other reasons though.

I have talked to some others who have used TENS units to treat chronic pain such as in women with endometriosis and some of them have had excellent results.

Answer 4

One of my friend suffered from chronic pain. He always used ultram tablet for instant relief. But for long term you should consult with doctor...