A TENS unit is a portable device about the size of 2 packs of cards. It is battery powered, and has 2 electrodes (think of the round sticky pads that they put on you to do EKGs). It is used for pain relief due to muscle spasm. You stick one electrode on either side of the area that is spasming, and the mild electrical pulses interfere with the electrical muscle pulses causing the spasm. There's more to it that that, obviously, and there's lots of different patterns and rhythms of the pulses that are used for different needs. Even when it's turned down so low that you don't notice it yourself, it still helps. I have had problems with back spasms my whole life, and I LOOOOOOVE my TENS unit!!!!!!
Obviously, if the origin of the pain is other than a muscle spasm, any improvement will be minimal. I'm guessing that in Ed's case, it can't help the origin of the pain since he has a herniated disc- that's a nerve compression issue. But pain causes our muscles to tense up, regardless of the origin, so the TENS probably helps at least some.
I hope this helps!
If you want to know more, send me a pm.
I use one of those at my Chiropractor but didn't know the name!!
So you can buy them?
I'm having a spasm today!! I'm miserable!!
