[Webwych]

I am considering a TENS machine to try and alleviate the pain I'm getting in my lower back and right leg (feels like a knife in my hip socket!) if the new wheelchair I hope to get soon doesn't do the trick.

I am 99% certain it's muscular because heat and ibuprofen relieve it, as does shifting my seating position and also my right foot goes into a spasm, with my toes pointing upwards in 'waves' when I have the pains.

So....

Is there a brand anyone would recommend (I live in England)? And how often do you use yours.

Thanks in advance

[Joed]

I use an Empi 300 PV-Complete Electrotherapy System. Here is a description from the manual:

Quote

The Empi 300 PV is a state-of-the-art, multifunction electrotherapy device. It has the ability to provide two channels of conventional NMES, conventional TENS and a single channel of High Volt (Galvanic Stimulation) and Interferential current (IF) electrotherapies. This wide-ranging capability allows the clinician to employ electrotherapy throughout the healing cycle with a single device. Furthermore, programmability of the device allows for customization to each patient's needs.

The 300 PV Interferential current feature allows the clinician to relieve acute and chronic pain with a high frequency electrical current.

The 300 PV Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) feature produces an electrical stimulus that, when properly applied, activates specific muscles and/or muscle groups. The waveforms are fully programmable for maximum treatment flexibility.

Finally, the 300 PV has a High Volt (HV) feature that can be used for increasing local blood circulation.

The 300 PV has thirteen preprogrammed regimens for NMES, HV and IF, or 3 available Sport PPR's. Treatment duration time is also controllable. In addition, the device may be set for either symmetric or asymmetric biphasic waveforms.

I rarely use the TENS feature, as much of my pain is nerve pain and it just doesn't seem to be as effective for that. But I do use it for the NMES benefits.

Hmmm....I had no idea this baby had a feature to increase blood circulation. I'll have to check that out.

Anyway, for what it's worth, that's what brand I'm using. I have no other experience with other brands.

The duration of its use was preprogrammed into my unit by my physical therapist. I'd suggest that you get advice about its use from a qualified therapist who can better suit a program to your particular needs. Far be it from me to suggest anything beyond that, especially since we're talking about voltage here!

I get the spasms you've described as well. Toes straight up.

I have to wonder if the pain you've described is nerve-related. That's what it sounds like to me, but our bodies send weird signals sometimes when the wiring isn't right to begin with. Having spina-bifida, it's difficult to describe/define what we're sensing.

Hope this has been of some help to you....

This post has been edited by Joed: 31 March 2008 - 02:05 AM

[Webwych]

Joed, on Mar 31 2008, 02:58 AM, said:

I use an Empi 300 PV-Complete Electrotherapy System. Here is a description from the manual:

Quote

The Empi 300 PV is a state-of-the-art, multifunction electrotherapy device. It has the ability to provide two channels of conventional NMES, conventional TENS and a single channel of High Volt (Galvanic Stimulation) and Interferential current (IF) electrotherapies. This wide-ranging capability allows the clinician to employ electrotherapy throughout the healing cycle with a single device. Furthermore, programmability of the device allows for customization to each patient's needs.

The 300 PV Interferential current feature allows the clinician to relieve acute and chronic pain with a high frequency electrical current.

The 300 PV Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) feature produces an electrical stimulus that, when properly applied, activates specific muscles and/or muscle groups. The waveforms are fully programmable for maximum treatment flexibility.

Finally, the 300 PV has a High Volt (HV) feature that can be used for increasing local blood circulation.

The 300 PV has thirteen preprogrammed regimens for NMES, H and IF, or 3 available Sport PPR's. Treatment duration time is also controllable. In addition, the device may be set for either symmetric or asymmetric biphasic waveforms.

I rarely use the TENS feature, as much of my pain is nerve pain and it just doesn't seem to be as effective for that. But I do use it for the NMES benefits.

Hmmm....I had no idea this baby had a feature to increase blood circulation. I'll have to check that out.

Anyway, for what it's worth, that's what brand I'm using. I have no other experience with other brands.

The duration of its use was preprogrammed into my unit by my physical therapist. I'd suggest that you get advice about its use from a qualified therapist who can better suit a program to your particular needs. Far be it from me to suggest anything beyond that, especially since we're talking about voltage here!

I get the spasms you've described as well. Toes straight up.

I have to wonder if the pain you've described is nerve-related. That's what it sounds like to me, but our bodies send weird signals sometimes when the wiring isn't right to begin with. Having spina-bifida, it's difficult to describe/define what we're sensing.

Hope this has been of some help to you....

Hi Joed

Thank you that was helpful indeed. I suspect when I get my new wheelchair things may improve (providing I get to talk to a human being at the assessment centre this side of Christmas! ).

Let us know how you get on with the circulation setting on your machine