tens machine

when_will_it_end

hi

im looking in to buying a tens machine, after looking on line im still confused they vary so much in price an what they do.

its for help mainly at work, does any one use one and how would you rate them

thanks

welshsue

I have one which was purchased for me from Lloyds Pharmacy.

I suffer with a very bad back and am constantly in pain. My doctor suggested trying one of these rather than taking lots of painkillers (I already take quite a lot of tablets per day).

I have a dual tens, 2 different pads and dual controls so you can set each to do different things/different intensities etc.

I find it really good and it does help.
Hope this helps you.

millym

Hi, I got my tens from this company:

http://www.naturesgate-uk.com/

I don't know the ins and outs, but apparently these are more powerful than the ones you buy in chemists, and are used in hospitals etc.

Like the last poster said, you need one of the dual machines, with 2 sets of pads etc.

Natures Gate also sell their machies on ebay, which is where I got mine, for much less than it sells on their website (about £30 for, I think a TN11).

Hope this helps!

kurgon

Hi - the one that my hospital leant me was this;
http://www.physiomedhomecare.com/TPN-200-Plus.html
At £19.99 it's a good deal but you will also need to buy the pads - change about once a montha dn I use mine daily.
In realtion to the different costs that is mainly about the optional extras. Digital costs more but the only digital thing is the strenght of the pulse so not a great investment. The only thing that I do think is good is to have a cover to protect th knobs as actually hitting them can be quite a shock.

This si the one I ended up with but it was little different from the one the hospital leant me if you don't want the cover. I did;
http://www.physiomedhomecare.com/3-Series-TENs.html

TENS worked well for me but it doesn't for anyone. What about asking your GP for a referral to your local pain clinic and asking if they have one you could trial?

when_will_it_end

hi all

i never thought about trying one first (common sence has not been great lately..lol )
i have an appointment on monday i will have a chat with the doc thanks for all the links really appriciated

Invalidation

I get very severe back pain. My first Tens machine was given to me and it was a revelation! I subsequently bought an Intellistim, from Ebay, (half the price of the website, and again it is superb. You MUST get a unit that is totally variable for width and intensity plus pulse speed, as sometimes one speed and pulse rate wont work yet changing just one parameter means bliss!!
My only complaint about the Intellistim is the rubbish pads that came with it. For emergencies I use the stick pads, but if it looks like a longer time use, I got the doctor to get me some of the very stick plaster on a roll (the hospital stuff, then use that to stick a non-sticky pad on.

Also you might need to 'play' around with the pad positioning untill you get the knack. Just moving one pad an inch or so can be the difference between bliss and pain. I would NEVER be without my Tens now.