Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group
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I am in chronic severe pain.
I do not want to take enough pain meds to get rid of it. They leave me tired & unable to enjoy activities here at the hospital.
There are also some activities I can not do as they hurt me.
I remember I used a TENS machine at home & it helped me greatly.
TENS is an abbreviation of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Transcutaneous means "across the skin". In simple terms, a TENS machine stimulates your nerves via an electrical current through your skin.
A TENS machine is usually a small battery operated box that produces pain relieving electrical pulses. Either two (single channel) or four (dual channel) self-adhesive electrodes are applied to the skin and attached to the TENS machine with lead wires.
Modified electrical pulses are then passed from the TENS machine via the lead wires and TENS machine electrodes, to the nerves which lie underneath the skin surface. The experience you normally feel is a comfortable tingle. Importantly, your TENS machine application should never feel painful.
The TENS electrodes are normally positioned over the area of pain but other more advanced applications may often prove better. Your physiotherapist is an expert in the application of a TENS machine. You are best advised to seek their professional advice for the most-effective results.
I am getting my Hubby to bring my unit from home. To see if it will help.
Some times I wonder why some doc's answer to everything is pills.
When I was at home I went to a pain clinic. They had me use a TENS as part of my therapy.
I use a dual channel TENS machine.
They had me apply the electrodes in an x pattern leave them on for 24 hrs.
I would turn on the unit for 20 min's at a time. When the pain was bad again turn it back on.
or if there was an activity that was painful they had me turn it on (on a different setting) leave it on until I was done.
This was how I got through shopping, cooking, exercise.
I will keep you guys informed on how it goes.
I use the electrodes that have a sticky gel on them they are not as messy I know I will have to get new ones as they will all be dried out.
Here's hoping
I do not want to take enough pain meds to get rid of it. They leave me tired & unable to enjoy activities here at the hospital.
There are also some activities I can not do as they hurt me.
I remember I used a TENS machine at home & it helped me greatly.
TENS is an abbreviation of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. Transcutaneous means "across the skin". In simple terms, a TENS machine stimulates your nerves via an electrical current through your skin.
A TENS machine is usually a small battery operated box that produces pain relieving electrical pulses. Either two (single channel) or four (dual channel) self-adhesive electrodes are applied to the skin and attached to the TENS machine with lead wires.
Modified electrical pulses are then passed from the TENS machine via the lead wires and TENS machine electrodes, to the nerves which lie underneath the skin surface. The experience you normally feel is a comfortable tingle. Importantly, your TENS machine application should never feel painful.
The TENS electrodes are normally positioned over the area of pain but other more advanced applications may often prove better. Your physiotherapist is an expert in the application of a TENS machine. You are best advised to seek their professional advice for the most-effective results.
I am getting my Hubby to bring my unit from home. To see if it will help.
Some times I wonder why some doc's answer to everything is pills.
When I was at home I went to a pain clinic. They had me use a TENS as part of my therapy.
I use a dual channel TENS machine.
They had me apply the electrodes in an x pattern leave them on for 24 hrs.
I would turn on the unit for 20 min's at a time. When the pain was bad again turn it back on.
or if there was an activity that was painful they had me turn it on (on a different setting) leave it on until I was done.
This was how I got through shopping, cooking, exercise.
I will keep you guys informed on how it goes.
I use the electrodes that have a sticky gel on them they are not as messy I know I will have to get new ones as they will all be dried out.
Here's hoping
I was told to place them at least 4 inches from the spine
it is most beneficial to place them in a x pattern
the electrodes from one channel
one in the upper left the other in the lower right
the other channel upper right & lower left.
place them higher & lower then the pain it will work for all area in between
if it is about 1/3 of your back
hope this helps