All about TENS Machines

[Laura]

I've told Boots that it would be commercially much better for them to sell replacement wires separately, but they keep on replacing my machine for free...

[paw]

I have recently started using TENS. The electrode pads don't stay sticky for too many uses so I tried a few things to see if I could extend the life of the electrodes. The best one was clear 2 inch wide packing tape. The cheap stuff that I bought for sealing boxes when someone moves. I place the electrodes sticky side onto the sticky side of the tape.

I have a cheap plastic two pocket folder that they sell for back to school and I stick the tape that surrounds the pads on the folder. When I want to use them the next time I just pull them off the tape and they have enough adhesive to stick for another day. I think this will add a lot of use to the electrodes before I have to replace them.

Make sure to fold a bit of tape at the end of the roll back onto itself so you can get it started easily the next time you need tape. The adhesive on the tape is quite mild and it hasn't bothered my skin at all so far.

[Kattykins]

Some makes recommend dabbing the electrodes with a little cold water and allowing to dry before using - that has worked for us. Also if you find they do not transmit the pulse as well, you can buy the gel for them. Just a little smear wakes them up a treat. http://www.physiotherapystore.com do some pretty cheap replacement electrodes though. Just make sure that the connectors are the same.

[Jess]

Paw for my tens unit pads I spray water over them after use. Just an empty spray bottle that you get at the chemist. I add couple of drops of tea tree oil to the water to keep the batera at bay.

I spray the pads liberal then leave them to dry onto the plastic holder.

[Superstottie]

has anyone tried the belt things that you use with a tens machine so that you can put the electrodes on yourself? The pads are integrated into a lumbar belt so you just put that on and plug it in. This sounds like a good idea to me as I have to get someone else to put it on for me, so just wondered if anyone has tried one and what they thought of it? x x

[greenjadedragon]

Hi,
I've been thinking about getting a TENS machine for my back & shoulder pain and I was wondering, I know that it provides pain relief but does it help with stiff contracted muscles? Most of my pain trouble is just the muscles contracting/seizing up and not being able to actually stretch them out properly. Would the TENS help with that or am I better getting something designed for muscle manipulation?

Cheers
GJD

[Kattykins]

I find it does help with mine!

[Chloe♥]

In my experience it helps, but my muscles aren't that overtight.
If you get a heated TENS machine it will probably help more. (Most only let you use the heat function whilst you're plugged into the mains.)