[Saibai]

I had used large ones once or twice at a clinic before with some relief but when I first used the small one my wife got it seemed to exacerbate the pain.
I came back to it and tweaked the settings and now it's useful as another tool for when neck/back pain is bad.
Although it's very locally focused and more about the muscles than joints etc, it helps.

[moose eater]

Thanks.

The one I played with briefly also came with the warning from the vendor that for some users, the higher settings produced some degree of discomfort.

Another poster in this thread indicated their discomfort seemed to be from the type/quality of pads they used. That might be a trial and error kind of thing to resolve; finding the better pads. (*Maybe we'll luck out, 'straight out of the gate').

I'm looking forward to the one that we ordered, to see if it is as effective as the brief experience at the Fair ~seemed~ to be.

Thanks again!!

Originally Posted by Saibai

I had used large ones once or twice at a clinic before with some relief but when I first used the small one my wife got it seemed to exacerbate the pain.
I came back to it and tweaked the settings and now it's useful as another tool for when neck/back pain is bad.
Although it's very locally focused and more about the muscles than joints etc, it helps.

[Junk]

Originally Posted by moose eater

Thanks.

The one I played with briefly also came with the warning from the vendor that for some users, the higher settings produced some degree of discomfort.

Another poster in this thread indicated their discomfort seemed to be from the type/quality of pads they used. That might be a trial and error kind of thing to resolve; finding the better pads. (*Maybe we'll luck out, 'straight out of the gate').

I'm looking forward to the one that we ordered, to see if it is as effective as the brief experience at the Fair ~seemed~ to be.

Thanks again!!

Yes, that was me.

To all, if you want to skip the trial and error, call your (or your local chiropractor) and ask what make/model pads they use. It will save you a lot of time and aggravation, I promise.

**Edit, it's 8am, so I just called mine for you. These are the best pads I've found.

Scrip Hessco
Basic Reusable Electrodes
Model 6720193
Size 2" x 2" (square, I like square best, so does my chiro)
Quantity 4
Lot 41757
Phone # (800) 747-3488
360 Veterans Pkwy Suite 115
Bolingbrook IL 60440
www.scripHessco.com

[Saibai]

Cheers, the one I have is a Japanese one, and the standard settings were too harsh.
There's heaps of different settings on this one, I should get the model number.

[moose eater]

Thanks. Useful stuff.

We had gone ahead and ordered 20 pads (10 pair) for a relatively low investment of about $15, and though we don't have money to burn at the moment, if they're not good, they can always go to the reuse bin at the dumpster transfer site.

Originally Posted by Junk

Yes, that was me.

To all, if you want to skip the trial and error, call your (or your local chiropractor) and ask what make/model pads they use. It will save you a lot of time and aggravation, I promise.

**Edit, it's 8am, so I just called mine for you. These are the best pads I've found.

Scrip Hessco
Basic Reusable Electrodes
Model 6720193
Size 2" x 2" (square, I like square best, so does my chiro)
Quantity 4
Lot 41757
Phone # (800) 747-3488
360 Veterans Pkwy Suite 115
Bolingbrook IL 60440
www.scripHessco.com

[moose eater]

Awesome!

I chose one based on highest reviews, with as many verified purchases as possible.

In the end I selected one with a 4.9 rating, but there were only 43 reviews.

The somewhat lower number might be influenced by it being a newer product (though FDA-approved, for what ever good that carries with it), -or- it might be that at 43, the manufacturer/distributor ran out of immediate family members, in-laws and employees to 'salt' the ratings with. But there were no reviews under a 4.

Originally Posted by Saibai

Cheers, the one I have is a Japanese one, and the standard settings were too harsh.
There's heaps of different settings on this one, I should get the model number.

[XXX_710]

TENS is the best non-drug pain relief I've found, next to strenuous exercise. Mine is an Ultima 5 with soft-touch pads. My doctor told me about it only after I had been put on all kinds of drugs... grr. It should be one of the first few things they try, but that's the quality of physicians in the US. Go to a chiropractor for pain, not a doctor. I put the unit on a mode that runs 30 minutes and gives several hours of pain relief. My wife puts it on my back for me. If it gets uncomfortable, just turn down the intensity.

Chronic pain is a constant struggle to confuse/disrupt the pain signal that invades your life. It's a poly approach. Don't just do one thing, do many. Chiro and acupuncture, tai chi or yoga, massage, TENS, heating pad, stretching, walking. Nurture yourself and you will have pain relief.

Hang in there!

[moose eater]

Thanks. I've used mine sporadically now, especially when things get too tight and mild spasms or worse begin.

The counter-productive response to the activities that reach a painful threshold is that you stop wanting to engage in such activities to protect yourself from that cycle, but in the process, also stop the regular work-outs those parts of the body need to continue on.

I haven't eaten a pain pill or muscle relaxer in probably well over 4-5 months; maybe more. Don't really like them, but use them when needed. typically when I've 'over-done it' without much option, which has often been when out in the bush. Some things just have to be done, even when it hurts.

Thanks for the reply, and I'm in agreement.

The one I use is not as effective or gentle as the one they demo'ed at the Fair, but it's OK for now.

Originally Posted by XXX_710

TENS is the best non-drug pain relief I've found, next to strenuous exercise. Mine is an Ultima 5 with soft-touch pads. My doctor told me about it only after I had been put on all kinds of drugs... grr. It should be one of the first few things they try, but that's the quality of physicians in the US. Go to a chiropractor for pain, not a doctor. I put the unit on a mode that runs 30 minutes and gives several hours of pain relief. My wife puts it on my back for me. If it gets uncomfortable, just turn down the intensity.

Chronic pain is a constant struggle to confuse/disrupt the pain signal that invades your life. It's a poly approach. Don't just do one thing, do many. Chiro and acupuncture, tai chi or yoga, massage, TENS, heating pad, stretching, walking. Nurture yourself and you will have pain relief.

Hang in there!

[MrBungle]

Along with a supply of good pads, make sure you have a supply of the proper type of battery for your unit, if it is a battery operated unit (often times it will be double A, but a specific type)
Also make sure you are using the proper stimulation program for the body part you are treating as well...For instance you could be using the program for elbow relief on your back if you are not careful...

[moose eater]

I went with cheaper pads, and that may change over time. My unit's rechargeable with no battery replacement option. Built-in power.

There's times I find that some settings are better applied elsewhere. There's some leg and arm modes that work wonders at the base of my neck to either side, which has numerous herniated discs, I'm told.

The base of the neck/cervical is the current source of partial numbness in my right hand for about 6 months or so now, and other interesting features that bring to mind Janis Joplin's reference to 'cheap thrills.'

Even on low settings, if I place the thing at even a modest setting, in certain muscle groups, it causes electronically induced spasms that result in that limb, or what ever limb is nearest the 'shock,' to literally jump. Again, 'neat tricks' time.

But when called for, the TENS Unit and the Teeter-Hang-up are the tickets for me. That, and sleep... when I can...