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Electrical Stim?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/24/2009 9:53 PM (GMT -5)
I have a lot of back pain with my fibro, and at my chiropractor's office they always used an electrical stimulation device on my back before adjusting it.  I haven't been able to afford to go to the chiropractor recently for financial reasons, but a friend of my boyfriend's had a small electrical stim that he let us borrow for this weekend.  I used it a couple of times on my back and it seems to provide some relief for a short period of time.  Then I was looking into buying one on the internet and realized that you have to have a prescription.  I was wondering if anyone knows if this is a common treatment for fibro, or if it has helped any of you.  I'm also wondering if it's bad for you at all if it's used frequently.  I'm happy with the immediate relief it provides, but I don't want to keep using it if it is ultimately bad for me. 

Thanks,

SaraBeth

Posted 5/24/2009 9:59 PM (GMT -5)
I use one periodically. Tens unit. Yes it is prescribe but mainly so someone can tell you exactly how to apply it for max. benefit. I don't see any harm from them, if it gets you a break from pain. I got annoyed with sticking the little pads and wires together. It seemed to take forever to assemble it.
Posted 5/24/2009 11:09 PM (GMT -5)
You can try ebay. You might not need a prescription there.

Donnaeil
Posted 5/25/2009 5:03 AM (GMT -5)
So right. I got one in many pieces. I might be able to gather it together after I find the 56 other things on my to do list following the move. I'm sure people have them and want to sell them. The novelty wears off, then the little sticky pads get stuck everywhere but on you, in your hair for example, then the cords tangle, well. I bought a very similar device right off the shelf at the drugstore, made for athletes, sore achy muscles, half the cost. Only two little sticky pads, and best of all, not the "peel and stick" kind but a pad with a gelatinous surface that kind of forms a vacuum against your skin, and stays, till you remove it. So much simpler.
Posted 5/25/2009 7:43 AM (GMT -5)
Have you tried Amazon.com?  I recently looked at TENS units there and didn't see anything about needing a prescription.  I ended up buying a personal ultrasound machine, and I didn't need a prescription for that either. 

 

 

Hugs - Austen

 

Posted 5/25/2009 8:13 AM (GMT -5)
it might vary by state.

Posted 5/25/2009 8:21 AM (GMT -5)
I'm sorry just MHO but I don't want a TENS Unit hooked up to me. I've had enough wires hooked up to me to lask me a lifetime. Plus I have enough electrical stimuli going through my body as it is already. No thanks....lol
Posted 5/25/2009 8:38 AM (GMT -5)
My husband bought a TENS unit for about $160 on line.  No doctor involved.  He also bought an ultrasound unit for about $150.00.

 

Puppylover

Posted 5/25/2009 9:49 AM (GMT -5)
SarahBeth I have one that I ordered online from Medical Products Online and I didn't need an rx. It has four pads and with the unit that is very small and 10 sets of extra pads it was about $100.00. The pads will last a long time. I love mine for my back and even for my hands. I don't take narcotics for pain so I use it instead. Mine you can clip on your pants or put it in your pocket. It comes with an instruction book on how to place the pads but I kinda play around with the pads til I get them in the right places to help.

 

If you need any help e-mail me and I will show you on the site which one I got.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 5/25/2009 10:23 AM (GMT -5)
SaraBeth, before you buy anything you might want to check with your chiro to make sure exactly what they were using on you. Everyone who has posted so far has been talking about a TENS unit but I know that my chiro uses interferential on me. It too is a type of electrical stimulation but is different then TENS. From what I understand, interferential works to increase circulation to the area to help heal whereas TENS works on just blocking the pain. I really enjoy intereferential, it feels great especially with a hot pack applied. I tried my friend's TENS unit once and I just found it annoying. I have seen home use interferential units for sale on the net but can't remember if you need a script for them or not. Lisa
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