TENS machine pain relief

[Pleater]

One of my knees is damaged - it has made walking distinctly problematic for a number of years as it twinged every time I put presure on it. I have tried physiotherapy and painkillers, to little effect.

A few days ago I was in the clinic to pick up a prescription and noticed these little TENS machines for sale.

The pharmacy assistant gave me a rundown on the way they work and what not to do with it, and I brought one home.

It really seems to have made a difference, not just to my knee but to other joints, and my spine, as I was tending to walk and stand off centre to favour my knee. For the first time in ages I am walking around the house like a normal person - I was even thinking of going outside for a walk before the hailstones started falling.

I have only used the machine maybe five times, over three days, for 15 minutes a session. The most unpleasant part is sticking on the electrodes - the closest to the sensation I can think of is having a large, cold, juicy slug drop onto the skin.

Apparently these things have been around for some time, but no one thought to tell me about them, so just in case one would benefit anyone here, I thought I'd start a thread.

Mine cost just under 15 pounds sterling, worth every penny.

[Tommie]

You should be very careful of seeking out things like pills or anything else that might just be covering up the pain.
If you are having pain in your knees or legs,it could be something as serious as blockage of the Aorta.(not sure if thats correct spelling)
This happened to my wife an she came close to losing a leg before seeing a Doctor.

See a specialist and make sure you don't have a real problem.

[ccga3359]

I damaged my knee 15 years ago. In physio they would apply tens to warm up the knee prior to exercise then ice to bring down the swelling. Hated the ice, the tens on low was fine but cranking it up my knee would spasm. If it works, great. Still discuss with your Dr. other options. I had surgery (ACL) that really tightened up an other wise sloppy knee and have no problems since aside from a slight limp when the temp drops below freezing.

[Oldhiker]

Becareful to keep the machine off while driving , I know a fellow who had one for back pain. All was well, "he" found the setting levels which gave him some comfort at home and work while being seated. "He" decided this also would help the long drive to & from work and it did just that until something jared the setting from 3 to 10 (the max) .

I can tell you that I...err I mean "he" had to search really fast to find which pocket the contoller was located all the while driving in heavy traffice @ 70miles an hour. It isn't quite like a stun gun but darn near Better than a cup of coffee to get your heart moving in the morning

[Pleater]

Thank you for your concerns - but here we have the National Health Service, so I long ago got the best that it could provide for the knee, and when I see the nurse I get a check over and above the specific thing I am to see her about.

It is sometimes quite pitiful to see their expression when they can't find anything wrong, my blood pressure is excellent, no signs of diabetes, nor any of the other horrors I am supposed to be prone to developing.

My knee is not lose, nor is it swollen, nor inflamed - in fact apart from a few 'cracks' (which I assume are damaged cartilage) when moved, the only thing wrong with it is that it hurts.

Presumably due to sudden alterations in intensity being reported, the controls on my box are buttons set flush with the surface, and which need to be depressed some way before they alter the setting, and then it is only by one notch at a time.

I have found that one session morning and night have made a difference, so continuous use is not necessary - but it has cheered be up no end to get rid of that niggling pain.

I have already found that placing the pads in different places gives different results for different lengths of time, I hope that varied use will result in my being able to walk around pain free.

[Darkislander]

I'm glad you are getting relief with using the tens machine. We also hire out baby-tens to expectant or new mums.

[ChattanCat]

Pleater, I too have knee problems. My knee has a grinding sound. Went to the doc and he had three suggestions; do nothing, get a shot (cortizone), or get a knee replacement. It was arthritis (I hate that word). So good luck.

Wallace

[cacunn]

My wife has Fibromyalsa (sp) and her Doctor prescribed a TENS unit for her. I seem to help with her pains. Work with your medical professional, but this does seem like some thing that can help chronic pain.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . My knee has a grinding sound. . .

I had that problem about 20 years ago, in both knees, from running. My doctor sent me to a physical therapist who recommended bicycle riding. It took most of six months for the grinding noise to go away and a few more for the last of the discomfort to vanish.

To make this work you must SIT on the seat, never stand on the pedals, and maintain a cadence of as close to 60 rpm as is practical. Both higher cadences and lower ones are likely to damage your knees further, but 60 rpm will help the joints repair themselves. I did this three to five times a week and the healing was slow but it did happen and the problem has not recurred. Of course, I haven't gone back to running either.


Best wishes to you.

.

[Pleater]

Cyclists - or as they are known to the local drivers 'GOTCHA!! HAHA!! TEN POINTS!!' are as close to kamekaze pilots as you can get around here.

I did try to cycle, and would like to but don't have enough of a death wish, or perhaps my reaction time is simply not short enough. There are daredevil riders who leap onto curbs to thwart the drivers, weave between stationary vehicles using their ESP to know on which side the door will be flung open as a passenger decides to alight rather than wait for the traffic to start to move again.

To maintain a constant speed it would mean using a stationary machine, to be realistic.

This morning I woke up and began to be buzy walking around without using the machine - the knee is not hurting.

I wove this into my story of the MHICE - the knee getting better, or rather never having been damaged.

Fact follows fantasy doesn't often work except for Arthur C Clarke, but who knows - Madam Director Pleater is off on a cruise in Dave Dove's current narration - perhaps I should start work on my wardrobe, in anticipation.

Sigh - I better write in something to improve the memory as well - I must go and rescue the eggs that have been cooking for the last 40 minutes.