My physiotherapist wants me to give TENS a try. She was not very clear in explaining the exact use of the unit. It all seemed a bit of a hit and miss affair!
Has anyone used it with any success? If so would love to hear about it.
I found TENS to be effective during the earlier stages of my RSD. It is a good pain management tool. You put little sticky "electrodes" around the effected area. You control how much of a current and what type (steady or pulsing). The current disrupts the pain cycle of the nerves. I found it to work well in conjunction with a heating pad, you only have to use it for about 10-20 mins. The unit is small and battery operated. They are not cheap however. Your Dr should send you to physical therapy where they can try it out on you. Units can also be rented from some medical suppliers. Good Luck - Shelley
G'day Destiny...glad you mentioned that if flared the RSD in another person! After "playing" around with the unit last night I thought I was imagining it with the pain flare in the calf....maybe was the TENS. And it does feel pretty much hit and miss!
G'day Shelly...Thanks for the advice about the TENS. I used it last night on the areas that were the most painful....my ankle, calf and back of knee. Flared the pain in the calf and as for the other areas, all I felt was the prickling sensation at the site and no reaction elsewhere.
I have my own TENS unit which I tried in the past with back pain and years ago for endometriosis pain and never had much joy from it..... However I will persist until I see the physio again next Wednesday and can at least report I gave it a good trial.
Curlsgirl-
I have a tens unit that was given to me through workers comp and all it does is take the edge off. If I am having a bad pain day it doesn't really help. After a block when my pain is lowered it seems to help. Also I have to set it on a real low setting. If it is up to high I can not tolerate it. Hope this helps. Good luck,
Zim
TENS therapy 
and all it does is take the edge off. If I am having a bad pain day it doesn't really help. After a block when my pain is lowered it seems to help. Also I have to set it on a real low setting. If it is up to high I can not tolerate it. Hope this helps. Good luck,
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