Hi Everyone,

I just got my TENS unit today to try for a week. I have used it 2 times now and I was wondering if you should be feeling relief right away? Am I hoping for too much too soon? Any insights will be greatly appreciated.

Angie :wave:

Hi Angie,
You should get some relief immediately when you use your TENS unit. It works by confusing your nerves so they don't send the message to your brain that you hurt. It works while you're using it, but it will stop working when you turn it off. I have found that the effect lasts for a little while after I turn it off, maybe because I am able to relax my muscles while I'm using it, since I don't hurt so much. I was cautioned to use it for only 30 minutes at a time, no more than twice a day, so I wouldn't get used to it and have it stop being effective.

There are different modes and different ways of using a TENS unit. If you're not getting relief, you might want to talk to your therapist or doctor to make sure you're applying the pads correctly and that the settings are the best ones for you.

I love my TENS unit! I hope you get yours going well for you so you can get some relief. It's such a nice respite from the pain!

Take care,
Emily :wave:

Hi: I agree with BlueAtlas... I've been using a tens unit at home for 4 years and at therapy as well, and it really only helps me when it's turned on. When I was getting muscle stim at Pt that would last about 30 minutes after the treatment, but the tens unit doesn't do that.

The tens does work, just don't expect it to do much after you take it off. I talked to some people who say they get "extended" pain relief from the tens, meaning it worked for them after they turned it off, but I never experienced that.

I don't know if your model has multiple programs to choose from, but it probably does; have you tried all of them to see which one you like/or works the best? You can also set the pulse and width on it to stronger intensity and wider wave distribution (covers larger area). If you have any questions that you can't figure out talk to your therapist. I was able to figure mine out by playing around with which setting and electrode placement that works best. If I found that it felt better in one spot than another than I choose that spot.

Good Luck, I use my quite often, because while it's on it does help to block the pain.:wave:

I just got it today. The PTst showed me how to use it and I am told that I can use it 4 times a day a half hour at a time. The third time I tried it it did seem to help my back a bit. I also have leg pain that goes from my hips down both legs. So, I guess I will have to pick and choose what I want relief from when I use it. I get to try the unit for a week and decide whether it is useful for me. I suppose I was hoping that I would be pain free for a long time after using it and not have to be on painkillers all the time. I was just hoping to get my life back.

Thanks for your insight and support. I really appreciate it.

Angie :wave:

Well, it may not be quite what you expected, but it still may help you get at least parts of your life back. I have a little job I do on Sunday mornings at church, running the PowerPoint for two services. It requires a lot of sitting, though I can move around between services. I use my TENS for that, as my sitting pain is the worst part for me. My TENS has enabled me to get back to that job that I love. I can't do nursery duty or anything that requires lifting or stooping, so running PowerPoint is perfect for me. I can contribute something, even with my limitations. I couldn't do it without my TENS.

If it seems to help, you can be selective and plan ahead for when you want to use it to give you the opportunities to participate in some things you'd otherwise have to sit out of. My therapist did warn me not to let myself overdo it thinking I could just use my TENS afterward, like no heavy-duty yardwork with the intention of popping on the TENS when I'm done.

I hope it works out for you.

Take care,
Emily :wave: