TENS Unit Pain Relief

 Omron Max Power Relief TENS Unit (PM3032)

TENS Units Provide Pain Relief With Electrical Pulses Through Pads So There Is No Drug Involved

CAUTION! Check with your elderly loved one’s doctor before using a TENS unit on them!!! NEVER, EVER use this unit without physician approval first, particularly if your senior citizen friend has a pacemaker.

One of the difficulties as we age is controlling pain, whether it’s arthritis pain or just muscle pain, without adding additional medications. My own mother battled horrible arthritis pain so, after I was prescribed a TENS ((Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit for my own knee, I asked her doctor about using it to relieve her arthritis pain. We were given the go ahead to try this FDA-cleared device.

A TENS unit is basically a small unit that comes with self-adhesive pads which are applied to the skin – there’s either 2 or 4 pads that can be used simultaneously. The pads stick on their own without any additional adhesive and peel off very gently and easily. Even the elderly whose skin may be thinner will not have any pain from either the application of the TENS unit pads or their removal.

When turned on, the TENS unit delivers small electrical pulses which the pads deliver to the area to which they are adhered. The electrical pulse can be turned up or down, depending on the needs of the patient.

I first found out about TENS units when I was in rehab after knee surgery – the thing was like a miracle to me! After just the first 15 minute session, my knee was much more fluid in movement; my pain level went from a 7 to a 2. I was sold. After checking with my Mom’s doctor, we were cleared to try it on her. I applied the pads to her knee, turned it on the lowest setting and sat back. I showed Mom how to dial the electrical pulses to a higher level which she did. She loved the thing and reported almost immediately that the achiness from her arthritis had eased.

The TENS unit pads can be applied to any part of the body. I use it on my neck and shoulders to give what I consider a massage-like experience. I’m immediately relaxed after using my TENS unit. I also like to use it on my lower back and legs after a hard day.

TENS units are not only great ideas for the elderly (provided, AGAIN, that they’re cleared by the physician), but they’re also wonderful for each and every caregiver who needs a quick massage.

The OMRON TENS unit you see there above is a perfect choice for the elderly as there’s 3 pre-set options – Arm, Lower Back, or Leg/Foot. This does not mean that it can’t be used on other body parts, but it does make it simpler for the elderly to set and understand. It got excellent reviews on Amazon.com (4.5 out of 5 stars).

Here’s some other non-medication pain relief options for TENS units on Amazon.com:

 Healthmateforever 6 modes with backlit Tens Unit – Tens Machine for Pain Management, Back Pain and Rehabilitation. Lifetime Warranty FDA cleared OTC HealthmateForever TENS unit with 4 outputs, apply 8 pads at the same time, 15 modes AUVON Dual Channel TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator Machine with 20 Modes, 2 Easy@Home Professional Grade Rechargeable TENS Unit Electronic Pulse Massager,Backlit LCD Display, Professional Grade Powerful Pulse Intensity, FDA Cleared, FSA Eligible OTC Home Use, EHE012PRO HealthmateForever TENS Unit 8 Modes Best Back Neck Stress Neck Sciatic Pain Relief, +4in1 Wire Connector+1 Pair Pads, Portable Unit Handheld Full Body Palm Plus Digital Pulse Impulse Mini Micro Massager, Lifetime Warranty FDA cleared 510K OTC Healthmateforever HM8ML (Black)