How to Use a TENS Unit for Back Pain - Ask Doctor Jo
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Using a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) Unit for back pain can be a great way to help relieve pain without taking medication. See where to place the electrodes for various types of back pain. Purchase an Auvon TENS Unit here: www.askdoctorj...
A TENS unit is used to help reduce pain and increase circulation. Basically the vibration of the TENS follows the same pathway as the pain pathway to the brain and helps cancel it out.
The TENS unit I'm using in this video is made by the folks at Auvon. Unlike other units that often have confusing settings, this unit has simple settings and is easy to use. It runs on 2 AAA batteries, so you can place the pads and then slip the unit in your pocket and go about your day while it's working to relieve pain.
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How to Use a TENS Unit to Relieve Back Pain:
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DISCLAIMER: This content (the video, description, links, and comments) is not medical advice or a treatment plan and is intended for general education and demonstration purposes only. This content should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. Don’t use this content to avoid going to your own healthcare professional or to replace the advice they give you. Consult with your healthcare professional before doing anything contained in this content. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Ask Doctor Jo, LLC and its officers for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. Ask Doctor Jo, LLC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this content. Use of this content is at your sole risk.
PRODUCT PLACEMENT DISCLAIMER: This video contains paid product placement. Thank you to Auvon for sponsoring this video and providing Doctor Jo with a free TENS Unit to use.
Purchase an Auvon TENS Unit here: amzn.to/2Gh1QcL (affiliate link) Note: This is not the unit featured in the video since it's no longer available. Want more in-depth info about TENS Units and/or EMS Units, buy my book here: amzn.to/2GPQvzK
Don't forget to hit the 🔴 *SUBSCRIBE* 🔴 button above! *Find all of my videos at **th-cam.com/users/askdoctorjo*
Do you have to use jell for these AskDoctorJo?
Not for these units.
Good. Thanks AskDoctorJo. These are mostly for pain right. I need something that will stimulate blood-oxygen to go to my muscles because I have Neurogenic Muscle Atrophy. The nerves that are attached to the muscles have been damaged from a stroke from a bicycle wreck where my head hit the concrete hard with no helmet. My myelin sheaths have been damaged and my muscles started breaking down and wasting 11 years ago. Exercise does further damage. Do you think this Tens Unit will stimulate the nerves that tell the blood-oxygen to go to the muscles or is there another electronic device that will do better?
Hi, I am very happy I watched your video as I have the machine but not sure the best way to use it for my neck and back pain and now I know about crossing the pads I can not thank you enough!!
You're welcome! Good luck.
Thank you very kindly! Helpful
You're welcome.
You're always such a life saver!
Thanks!
So helpful! Thank you for posting!
Thanks, and you're welcome!
wow this was so helpful i didn't know you were suppose to chris cross it like that. thank you
You're welcome. I'm glad it helped.
This is helpful..can I use for golfer's elbows and where to place it?
I actually have this unit can you tell me the size for lead wires is it 2.35 mm or a different size thxs
Helpful as usual. Thanks for your informative videos! :)
Thanks, and you’re welcome!
Thanku so much for this video... this is really helpful....
You're welcome.
Great helpful video
Thanks.
Thanku so much
You're welcome.
Traducere-si de unde il cumparam?
Hi Doctor ,
Question: we are not supposed to put the pads on bone correct ?
Only mussels
Thank you
plz tell me how many minutes for back pain and neck pain and also tell me intensity power and which mode use for these 2 purpose
Try not more than 10min
Thinking of buying this for my arthritis in my spine trying to stop or lower Acetaminophen from 1000mg down to one pill a day with cbd gummies
Hi Doc. Jo, thanks for all your videos... I have a question regarding pads placement. When using two channels you prefer to "cross" them... I asked Auvon Customer Service how to place them when using two channels and they responded: "Please place them parallel when using 2 channels. Do NOT place them crossed."... I am quite confused now. Does this only applies to Auvon TENS units? Regards!
Hi Doctor Jo, can I use a TENS unit to treat menstrual cramps? I’ve been having bad menstrual cramps lately and I don’t wish to rely on oral pain killers. Thanks !
Yes, it can help for menstrual cramps. Good luck!
thanks for sharing
You're welcome.
Really found helpful❤.
I have pain at the point in between scapula and spine (Due to injury in GYM). So, which type TENS will be best suitable for me?
Thank you very much for your help I did subscribed as well as I did bought this machine hopefully I will receive it in two weeks and I’m going to watch your video again too know how can I use it
You're welcome. I hope it helps!
how about when sick at L4& L5?
Can we use that if we have slip disc problem @Askdoctorjo
How many times can the patch be use
How frequently can I use this?
Have an upboat just for the cat shirt.
:-)
Thenk you do jo
You’re welcome.
How do you place the pads on by yourself? I can't reach the spots that hurt (I have mid thoracic pain due to T7-T8 spondylolisthesis). My husband usually puts them on for me. When he's not at home, I can't get them on properly. I can reach my lower back, but that's no help as the pain isn't there.
Unfortunately, I don't know since I can't evaluate you. It really depends on how much motion you have in your shoulders. I usually place the top ones on myself by going over the shoulders to the back area, and the bottom ones like I am putting on a bra.
Can you keep it on for maybe all day if you have chronic sciatica pain? I know my TENS unit has 30 min intervals but because I feel so much better with it I tend to keep turning it on every 30 mins.
I wouldn't recommend keeping it on constantly all day because then your body will get immune to it. You can do several sessions of 15-20 minutes through out the day, like on then off for an hour or two, and then back on. Good luck.
Ohh okay, thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Thanks for posting g this but I do have a question. Can you use a TENS unit on the neck are when you had neck fusion (c-3 through c-7)
Yes, as long as all your incisions are completely healed.
traducion en españól porfavor gracias urge
If you turn on the Closed Captions (by pressing the "CC" button at the bottom of the video) you can have TH-cam automatically translate the captions into many different languages! I show how to do all this and more here: th-cam.com/video/VatNBZh66Po/w-d-xo.html
Are those sticky things reusable or we have to purchase separately??
They are reusable for a long time. If you keep them clean (usually just with warm water after use, and then pat dry), they should last.
Elane Horhi ..you can get a large volume on Amazon for cheap and they last a while too.
Can I use it on face to remove ball palsy???
You will need to ask your medical doctor first.
How much use far day this machine
TENS can be used 3-4 times a day for 10-15 minutes at a time.
Hello ma'am, do you recommend IMF and EMS for muscle strengthening ( not pain management) in Multiple Sclerosis ?
It really depends on what type of MS, what muscles, how weak they are, etc.
@@AskDoctorJo ma'am, I have secondary progressive MS. My left knee does not lock, it tends to hyperextend when I try to walk, so, I have to keep it in slightly bent position while walking or standing so that it does not jerk backwards into hyperextension. It feels like jelly with no stability. In spite of me working out on regular basis targeting every possible muscle I can, my leg muscles are wasting away.. Other than that, I have a stiff lower back which starts paining only after a few steps and then increases exponentially with every step. Due to this, my torso remains bent while walking which further adds to the pain in the lower back and unstable gait. I wonder if the EMS device could also help me with my bladder control by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. You must be wondering why I don't see a physiotherapist here for him to be able to advise accordingly. But to my disappointment, here in India in the past 4 years of my MS journey I haven't found even 1 PT knowledgeable enough to guide me. I understand your constraints but even a slight help of yours would mean a lot. I would be more than thankful.
Regards.
@@AskDoctorJo I forgot to add...I am 24 yr old
Unfortunately, I really can't help much since I can't evaluate you. A number of things could be contributing to it. In general, often when the knee hyperextends, it's more from eccentric weakness in the hamstrings (the muscles controlling it back into place) versus something like weak quads. EMS might help, but it helps with concentric contractions, not eccentric contractions.
@@AskDoctorJo thank you so much ma'am that you took time to reply me. Even, I used to feel that weak hamstrings could be a reason, but never heard about eccentric, concentric and isometric contractions before....googled an read about them...atleast, now I can try focussing on eccentric contractions of hamstrings....I wish you could also help me with my knees and back...they tend to bend while standing....It is like I start sinking into the floor after a few minutes of unaided standing...I have tried working out every muscle that could help this, but to no avail....and due to this, I cannot walk without a walker, as it prevents me from drooping down....I know you cannot physically access me and those who can, say that they don't have any medicines for this and that knee brace and back support are the only options....as far as physical therapists are concerned, they suggest me exercising more and more generally without advising me specific ones to target these issues....so, I urge you to help me in whatever best possible way...if this is not sufficient for you to be able to advise me anything, I can record a video of mine and send you or may be if an online consultation would be better.... any means by which I can be helped by your guidance would mean more than anything to me.... as I am just 24, I believe I can workout my muscles and make them function in a stronger, more controlled and more coordinated manner.
Thanks and regards.
Hi! Thanks for this video. I wanted to ask you...at 4:45 you talk about having pain in that mid to upper left area of the back and how it could be something other than your muscles. I've been having pain exactly there for 3 months, accompanied with nausea. I've gone to a chiropractor and a doctor. Chiropractor said everything looks fine; doctor scratched his head, did an x-ray, everything looks good, prescribed me an anti-inflammatory. I wonder if you could please elaborate for me what problems that pain might be hinting towards. I just don't know where to go or who to talk to. I can't find anything on google. Feel free to respond here or message me!
Unfortunately, it can be a number of things from a kidney issue to your gallbladder to something more or less serious. Do you remember having any kind of injury? If you are having nausea too, I would lean towards maybe your gallbladder (even though it's on your right side, it can have referred pain in other areas). Does the nausea increase after you eat? If your doctor wasn't very helpful, I would go get a second opinion.
@@AskDoctorJo Thank you so much for your response! No injuries. I haven't taken note of when the nausea occurs, but I will pay attention and see if it's connected to eating. I've also been having sharp abdominal pain during intercourse, but my doctor said he thinks that's unrelated.
You're welcome. It definitely could all be related.
Bethany Wattier I had similar pain... turned out to be gall bladder stone and mild pancreatitis...and the abdominal pain could be an ovarian cyst
This is use chest pain
Can't his be used for period pain?
Can we use electrodes again or once
Most of them are reusable for several uses.
Hi how would place the leads if you have scoliosis ?
It would be the same concept as in the video.
Okay thanks for the reply☺️
You're welcome.
Can I use it for paralysis patient ? In legs the patient is not able to walk so can I use it
What if the pain is in the area of the back where the bra strap is and it hurts there on one side when you cough?
When you had two pads on the same side,can you set it up that way with an EMS machine ? I am having problems in the referral pain place whenever I extensively play piano and am getting a TENS / EMS machine and was wondering if it's safe to do the two pads in the area as long as they don't cross over the spine.
Sister,
Who are those 100 stupid person who has disliked your video.
Is this helpful for born cancer patients
Thanks Doc that was very helpful. I just bought one of these machines hopefully it helps relieve my lower back pain.
You're welcome. I hope it helps too.
Hello did u use this machine was it helpful
@@live12617yes it was
have any side efect
Okay I have a question, my physical therapist at the VA issued TENS unit, during our teleconference, she told me she didn't want those pads any further apart than two inches away from each other why would she do that
You place them differently for different things. So you will need to ask your PT.
Thank you for the video. I just got a tens unit and have no clue how to use it. The directions say not to use on the upper back or neck but I’m having pain in between my shoulder blades
You're welcome.
Is it true that you can’t use on the same spot more twice a day?
I have a very stiff neck most of the time, and i used it for 15 mins, and it does not feel relief, later an hour or so, i repeat it back. And i feel just a tiny relief, and my neck still feels stiff.
It depends on what setting you are using, but some you can use several times a day (it should be in the manual). This should be used in conjunction with stretches and exercises. Just using it alone with not make the pain completely go away.
If you have the pads on your back can you lay on your back or do you need to lay on your stomach or can you sit in a chair?
You can lie down on your back.
I am also having upper back pain frequently alone with tingling sensation in lower forearm same side.. doctor says there is a trigger point Around t1 cervical vertebrae.. can I use this equipment for pain relief
It might help, but I don't know for sure since I can't evaluate you.
Very enlightening video! Thank you very much for your advice! It is greatly appreciated! Sincere regards!
You're welcome!
But TENS unit usualy come with instructions saying to never put it nearthe heart... i'm confused
Yes, not over your heart in the front.
this machine can be used for weight loss?
No, an EMS would be more appropriate for weight less/muscle contraction.
The subtitle covered the part of the back you showed the tens on. Could not see, only had to imagine
Closed captioning/subtitles can be turned on/off by clicking on the CC button below the video. You can also change it to many different languages among other things like changing the transparency to be able to see through the words: th-cam.com/video/VatNBZh66Po/w-d-xo.html
I have pain where the second cross is (3:37). What might be the cause? Is there a specific name for this area, so I can pinpoint it to my doctor?
Unfortunately, there are several muscles and structures in that area. It could be your erector spinae muscles, your QL, a facet joint issue, etc. Maybe just take a screen shot at that point, so you can show your doctor.
Hi, i want to ask if after using it, is it okay that i get wet? if not, about how many hours before i can get wet?
If you still had questions, Don't get wet while using the TENS. After you take the TENS off you can get wet at any point.
How much time to use the device. And how many times a week .
I actually have a book about TENS units with all the answers to your questions. You can find it here: askdoctorjo.com/book
How long do ikeep the tens unit on my back?
It depends on what your injury is, but in general, 15-20 minutes.
Can a daebetic use it...
Yes, as long as you are cleared by your doctor.
I was always told you never "cross your heart" meaning across the back, but that clearly contradicts this theory. What is that about.
You are not suppose to cross them on your chest area near your heart. The back is fine unless your doctor has told you not to do so or you have any of the other contraindications.
@@AskDoctorJo WOW, thank you. I was always told for my back not to cross the heart, glad I found this to clear that up.
You're welcome. Since TENS only activates the surface nerves (transcutaneous), it doesn't go deep enough to affect it. EMS is different (activating the muscles), so I wouldn't recommend it on the back (crossing the spine) or chest. Maybe that is what was meant when you were told that :-)
Great vid ty
You're welcome.
Hi, thank you for your tips. I would like you to demonstrate how to use TENS for Sciatic.
You're welcome. It would be like the first one for low back pain. Good luck.
Where can I buy one?
The link is in the description below the video.
@@AskDoctorJo thank you
You're welcome. Good luck.
What a trooper! Ya'll are too cute!
Thanks :-)
this is super great, tnx
Thanks, and you're welcome.
Thanks,I am satisfied.
You're welcome.
Thanks for showing this
You’re welcome.
Thank you so much!! For this video, I have one machine from V.A. and I didn't have the time to take de class... God bless you ! Thank you again
You're welcome, and thank you! I hope it helps!
@@AskDoctorJo Yes !!! You did great job! Thank you again ... Atte 2nd Lt. Vergés ..
Thanks :-)
Great info, thank you! I have two compressed vertebrae in the lower region of my back. I bought a Tens unit but want to make sure I can use it first. My injury happened three years ago, but every once in awhile it does act up from overuse or bad posture. This week is the “sometimes”
Thx in advance.
Thanks, and you're welcome! It should be fine to use as long as you are using the TENS settings, and not the EMS ones, if your unit has both.
AskDoctorJo How lovely that you answered me thank you very much! Yes it is just a soma care tens unit. I’m going to use it tonight because unfortunately the pain is radiating down to my buttocks😕
You're welcome! I hope it helps.
AskDoctorJo Happy Easter Dr. Jo 🌷
Thanks! You too!
can a person do stuff while having the tens unit on the lower back?
Yes, definitely.
I love the shirt so much
Thanks!
Thanks! I usually placed that wrong. Still, it did help, but its good to know that there are better solutions! I have only one problem, my skin gets small burns and gets itchy. What would be the recommended strength of the TENS treatment? I have a machine up to 100 mA per channel and usually, I take up to 20 mA per channel. Should I feel the stream or not?
You're welcome. It should be strong, but comfortable (it's different for everyone). You might want to check your electrodes. Sometimes if they are worn, they might have small holes in the gel coating. If they do, that can cause burns. Good luck.
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
I'm not Dr. Joe but burning and itching sounds a bit like an allergy. Make sure your pads arent the problem. A bunch of latex free and different brands on amazon.
That is true. You could be allergic to the pads.
Hi thanks for posting! I do have a question. Can you use tens on upper back if you have an artificial heart valve?
You're welcome! It really depends on what kind of valve you have. I would check with your doctor/cardiologist just to be safe.
Such a helpful video and super community sharing comments! Thank you!!! ♡♡♡♡♡Lydia
Thanks, and you're welcome!