TENS units for pain relief

29 Feb 2020

Hi everyone,
I have been suffering from a sore shoulder for a long time. I went to the doctor and was told I have bursitis for one thing, but this is just a couple shoulder muscles I haven't been able to get to loosen up. Now my chosen profession as a firefighter tends to get me banged up and beat up a lot and I seem to have sore muscles way too often. Has anyone ever used a TENS unit for muscle relaxation and what were your experiences with it? I have heard from a couple of my friends here on Lush and they had good results so I am thinking about getting one myself. But I'd like to hear from others.

29 Feb 2020

MJ, I highly recommend them and the wonderful thing about them is you can take them anywhere. They have come in really handy on many vacations especially on planes where you cant move around a lot and the bonus is they aren’t that expensive.

29 Feb 2020

we use ours for entirely different reasons. Ilse likes to play doctor with me sometimes Embarassed

You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.

29 Feb 2020

David has an e-stim device, but if you have bursitis, heat/cold compress alternation and ibuprofen to reduce inflammation work better. If you just have muscle tension/spasms/soreness, TENS will usually help if not overused and turned up too high.

16 Apr 2020

Quote by Master_Jonathan
Hi everyone,
I have been suffering from a sore shoulder for a long time. I went to the doctor and was told I have bursitis for one thing, but this is just a couple shoulder muscles I haven't been able to get to loosen up. Now my chosen profession as a firefighter tends to get me banged up and beat up a lot and I seem to have sore muscles way too often. Has anyone ever used a TENS unit for muscle relaxation and what were your experiences with it? I have heard from a couple of my friends here on Lush and they had good results so I am thinking about getting one myself. But I'd like to hear from others.

I'm a physiotherapist so I have used TENS quite a bit.

First of all, I would ask how old your Doctor is because bursitis in the shoulder is not very common. You should ask him which bursa it is and if he can't tell you then it is probable that he is using the term as a "catch all" for any shoulder pain.

If the pain is in the front then it most likely tendinitis of the bicipital tendon. If the pain is on the side it is most likely tendinitis of the supraspinatus. Both are caused by the mechanism of impingement where the tendons of the rotator cuff are irritated by constant pressure against the underside of the acromion. The subacromial bursa will most likely be inflamed as well, but that is almost always secondary to impingement.

So TENS machines provide a simple electric current that stimulates the mechanoreceptors under the skin. Have you ever wondered why when you bang your knee on a desk and you rub it, it feels better? Same reason. You are stimulating the mechanoreceptors. Sine the mechanoreceptors use the same neural pathway as pain receptors, stimulating them overrides the pain receptors and provides mild relief.

Now a lot of people with prolonged shoulder pain will tend to hike their shoulder when using their arm so the muscles of the trapezius and rhomboids become overworked and sore. In this case then muscle stimulation to those muscles can provide relief by relaxing the muscles. You can use a TENS machine and turn it up really high so that you actually get a pulsed muscle contraction, or you can get an NMES (Neuromuscular Electronic stimuluation) which is actually designed to stim the muscles. NMES cost more but are more versatile.

If you are actually a fireman, then you should have physio treatment covered and you can go and see what works. Usually these issues require a lot more than simple pain relief though. The root cause is long term muscle imbalance that needs to be corrected with strengthening of certain muscle groups. Check your medical insurance...there is a good chance that a TENS machine will be covered as well.

You might also want to rule out probability of a rotator cuff tear. Does it hurt when you are trying to sleep at night? That's kind of a red flag.

16 Apr 2020

Thank you DamonX for your reply. I had to go back to the doctor and get another shot to relieve the pain... the first shot helped for about five or six months but that was nearly a year ago. They took another set of x-rays and this time they discovered I had a little arthritis at the bottom edge of my shoulder cup as well as a bone spur at the top. They also thought this time that I might have a slightly torn rotator cuff. I was scheduled to go get an MRI to make sure that's what was going on, but then this corny-virus thing hit so that was set back.

The pain is primarily in the back of my shoulder on the outer edge of the shoulder blade (I will dispense with the medical terminology so other non-medical people can understand and maybe benefit from my situation) The pain is deep in the shoulder but it causes some other muscles to "guard" the injury and tense up as well. The TENS unit helps with that and heat seems to help with the deeper injury. So between the two I can have some relief. The same company that sold me the TENS also sells an infrared heat device which I will probably get in addition to the TENS for deep heat treatment. Together both these devices are a LOT less expensive than even one doctor visit and they can be used many many times. So it's a good deal if you need them.

I did get my TENS unit in the mail yesterday and I used it for the first time last night. It worked great and for the first time in almost two years I had some real relief! Of course this morning I was sore again but I expected that. I know this TENS is not a cure - I still need to get the MRI. But at least I have a break from the pain.

BTW I do have trouble sleeping - I usually sleep on my right side but that's the sore shoulder and I can't lay on it for more than a couple minutes. With this problem lasting as long as it has I fully expect it's more than just sore muscles or a pulled something or other. But shoulder surgery is a big step and I am hoping I don't have to go down that road!

Anyone reading this that wants more info, PM me and I will give you the link to the company I used.

Jonathan

17 Apr 2020

Quote by Master_Jonathan
Thank you DamonX for your reply. I had to go back to the doctor and get another shot to relieve the pain... the first shot helped for about five or six months but that was nearly a year ago. They took another set of x-rays and this time they discovered I had a little arthritis at the bottom edge of my shoulder cup as well as a bone spur at the top. They also thought this time that I might have a slightly torn rotator cuff. I was scheduled to go get an MRI to make sure that's what was going on, but then this corny-virus thing hit so that was set back.

The pain is primarily in the back of my shoulder on the outer edge of the shoulder blade (I will dispense with the medical terminology so other non-medical people can understand and maybe benefit from my situation) The pain is deep in the shoulder but it causes some other muscles to "guard" the injury and tense up as well. The TENS unit helps with that and heat seems to help with the deeper injury. So between the two I can have some relief. The same company that sold me the TENS also sells an infrared heat device which I will probably get in addition to the TENS for deep heat treatment. Together both these devices are a LOT less expensive than even one doctor visit and they can be used many many times. So it's a good deal if you need them.

I did get my TENS unit in the mail yesterday and I used it for the first time last night. It worked great and for the first time in almost two years I had some real relief! Of course this morning I was sore again but I expected that. I know this TENS is not a cure - I still need to get the MRI. But at least I have a break from the pain.

BTW I do have trouble sleeping - I usually sleep on my right side but that's the sore shoulder and I can't lay on it for more than a couple minutes. With this problem lasting as long as it has I fully expect it's more than just sore muscles or a pulled something or other. But shoulder surgery is a big step and I am hoping I don't have to go down that road!

Anyone reading this that wants more info, PM me and I will give you the link to the company I used.

Jonathan

I assume that you are relatively young so an x-ray will not give you much info. Even MRI is not great for shoulders. If the pain is deep inside then it may be a labral tear which will not be visualized on normal MRI.

Are you not covered for basic medical? Firemen always are. What country do you live it?

When you say "shot" I'm assuming it was a cortisone shot? That is fine for one time, but if it is a continuous problem then you need to do something else. Cortisone is a quick fix but it weakens the tissues and makes them more susceptible to irritation in the long run. If you feel a deep ache at night, then the issue is most likely a rotator cuff tear or a labral tear.

Feel free to contact me in private if you wish to not have your private info in public.

17 Apr 2020

I have severe back pain even after two surgeries which was exacerbated by an auto accident. Massage therapy and physical therapy helped me most but I do rely on my tens unit when it gets really bad like standing on my feet for twelve hours. My other option was a SCS device like an internal tens unit. Right now my tens has helped considerably and the relief is heavenly. I love mine

17 Apr 2020

Thank you Rose, I am actually using mine right now! smile

17 Apr 2020

Quote by Master_Jonathan
Thank you Rose, I am actually using mine right now!

I hope that is bringing you some relief!

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17 Apr 2020

I have suffered for over thirty years with sometimes acute lower back and shoulder pain. I can rarely sit for more than a few minutes on a straight-backed chair. Sometimes, fortunately very rarely, the pain is so excruciating when I try to get up from on my back that I daren't move. I got stuck like that for two days once. Cleanup on aisle five!

What is a TENS unit and will it help me?

Looks like we're in for a nasty spell of wether.

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17 Apr 2020

Grace, a TENS unit is a small electrical device that sends little electrical impulses through sticky pads placed on your skin and by doing so it interrupts the pain signals sent to your brain. That is a simplistic explanation but that's basically the gist of it. I place one sticky pad on each side of where I hurt and turn the machine on. I can feel little jolts of electrical current (not at all painful) going between the pads. It feels like someone is throwing cotton balls at you at the setting I have used. But the pain I have felt just disappears! It's amazing. And I have it on a very low (apparently) setting!

This is the unit I have and in this link is some really great info:
https://tensunits.com/products/the-omega-professional-tens-ems-combo-unit-for-ultimate-pain-relief-fda-approved/

My sister has a TENS unit and uses it for her bad back and she swears by it as well.

17 Apr 2020

Quote by DamonX

I assume that you are relatively young so an x-ray will not give you much info. Even MRI is not great for shoulders. If the pain is deep inside then it may be a labral tear which will not be visualized on normal MRI.

Are you not covered for basic medical? Firemen always are. What country do you live it?

When you say "shot" I'm assuming it was a cortisone shot? That is fine for one time, but if it is a continuous problem then you need to do something else. Cortisone is a quick fix but it weakens the tissues and makes them more susceptible to irritation in the long run. If you feel a deep ache at night, then the issue is most likely a rotator cuff tear or a labral tear.

Feel free to contact me in private if you wish to not have your private info in public.

You do know your stuff Damon! I am a retired firefighter and I am not sure how much my medical insurance will cover. And I have heard from others that shoulder surgery (if it came to that) is not a road I want to travel down if I can help it.

I live in Alaska and we don't have any world reknown surgeons or other medical staff here... basically if it's anything more than bumps and bruises they pretty much ship us to the Lower 48 for treatment.

Yes the "shot" was indeed a cortisone shot and it did help both times for awhile. Since you seem to know this stuff and you say an MRI probably wouldn't show what's going on, what should they be doing to determine what is wrong? What test should I be asking for?

17 Apr 2020

I have a small twin pad tens machine that I use on my lower back. I find it very effective in reducing pain. I used to use it daily but my back, thankfully, has been much better recently.

19 Apr 2020

Quote by Master_Jonathan

You do know your stuff Damon! I am a retired firefighter and I am not sure how much my medical insurance will cover. And I have heard from others that shoulder surgery (if it came to that) is not a road I want to travel down if I can help it.

I live in Alaska and we don't have any world reknown surgeons or other medical staff here... basically if it's anything more than bumps and bruises they pretty much ship us to the Lower 48 for treatment.

Yes the "shot" was indeed a cortisone shot and it did help both times for awhile. Since you seem to know this stuff and you say an MRI probably wouldn't show what's going on, what should they be doing to determine what is wrong? What test should I be asking for?

Yeah, Alaska is not known for their health care. I think they rank 50th out of 50 of the states. That's more because there are a lot of places that are relatively inaccessible. If you live in the Anchorage Metro or the Juneau/Douglas regions you should be fine.

So since you are retired, then age comes into it a bit more. There is some valuable info from x-rays... You can visualize the subacromial space and note any calcium deposits (known as osteophytes) You can also see the shape of the acromian (There are 3 types.) I have noticed a tendency of doctors to look at an X-ray and toss out the diagnosis of "calcific tendinitis," simply because they see a calcium deposit on the radiograph. Calcium deposits are very common, calcific tendinitis is very rare.

Normally if the pain is deep within the shoulder I would suggest a Magnetic Resonance Arthrogram. MRA. It's where you have a radioactive dye injected into the joint space and then have an MRI. It allows increased visualization of the labrum and surrounding tissues.

But for you I think that an MRI would be fine. You could also do a diagnostic ultrasound, which is actually the best way to visualize muscle and tendon, however the person doing it needs to be aware of the issue and what he/she is looking for.

Most likely what is happening with you is a combination of years of activity combined with age.

The most common surgical intervention for people like you is whats called a subacromial decompression. They go in microscopically and clean out all the garbage filling up the space. If there is a tear it is most likely degenerative in nature. They may or may not decide to stitch it up. But they shave off any osteophytes and debride any thickened tendonotic tissue.

I'm going to fill you in on a little secret... MDs know very little about pathophysiology of orthopedic conditions. They generally will play the "wait and see game" hoping that if they give you some pain killers then you will be placated and they will hope that your pain will just gradually go away. If you want to get things done "the squeaky wheel gets the grease."

I'm in Canada, so if you were my patient, I would call the MD and explain to him/her and get you into an MRI as fast as possible. In the US it will all depend on your insurance. If you have coverage they will send you for all kinds of nonsense tests so they can suck as much money as possible. If you don't have insurance coverage then they will probably dance around and keep telling you that you don't need any testing. They will keep getting you to come back and give you prescriptions (because that is how the system actually makes the most money.)

In the meantime though... if you are using TENS then I suggest that you purchase a large number of electrodes. They wear out very quickly and as the adhesive wears off the conductivity decreases. You can get rubber ones but then you need to get a conductive gel and tape them on....it's such a pain in the ass. I got rid of them years ago and bit the bullet to just use reusable adhesive electrodes.

I also suggest this:

There is a gel pack that you can either freeze or heat up and then slide it in. I used to use it in conjunction with TENS for my patients after exercises. The ice along with the TENS helps decrease pain ans swelling post exercise. Most people like heat better, but honestly ice is far more effective.

And now we're getting into inside baseball....

If anyone asks you what your pain level is.... Say 8. If you say ten they will assume you are exaggerating. If you say anything less, they will probably brush you off. And make it clear that you can not sleep. Overemphasize the fact that you can not sleep and that the pain is preventing it.

23 Feb 2021

Hi Jonathan,

Many don't believe in chiropractic care, but I do if you can find one who is also a sports practioner. I have had injuries from TaeKwonDo and other things that a Dr didn't help with, but found great relief through my chiropractor. A good one helps the whole body, not just backs. Plus, when you have pain in one area your body tries to compensate and you can get other muscles out of whack. Also, a few years ago, I fell and hurt my shoulder and went to see a physical therapist twice, memorized the exercises, and treated myself at home with success. Keep exploring different avenues.

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