Advice about TENS machine, please

[Kiki-frog]

I've been using a TENS machine for lower back problems for a couple of years now and find it helps a lot with short-term relief. I generally keep the pads in place for most of the day and then switch it on for bursts of up to an hour or more as and when the pain gets really bad.

Just recently someone told me that it's bad to use it for more than half an hour a day, so I've been trying to find out. I can't find the instructions that came with it, and advice on the internet is vague, although I get the impression that it's ok to use it for as long as you need to. Does anyone have any hard facts, please?

[Kiki-frog]

Algipan, blimey, that's a blast from the past. Smelt even worse than Ralgex. But don't tell sunny-dave or he'll be snorting it.

[sunny-dave]

< nobody is saying that you can't speak Katie - just that we don't all have to agree with you (or the esteemed sqad) - pain relief is highly personal and very emotive - what works for one person doesn't for another >

[Kiki-frog]

Ooh, sorry dave, didn't spot your post there. Wow, Valium sounds a bit heavy-duty, but I guess that's more to do with its reputation than reality. It's probably much like the amitriptyline that I take, which I believe is also an anti-depressant, but for pain relief it's used to zap the nerve endings for a bit. It also makes me very happy and floaty and talk total ***.

[Kiki-frog]

Oops, got a bit sweary there. It's the drugs.

[Kiki-frog]

Katie, please don't think you're being ignored. That's not the case at all. You've made a valuable contribution to the thread and quite frankly I don't think so many people would have joined in if it hadn't become apparent that there was a bit of controversy.

BTW, how is your mum now? I do hope she got better.

[albaqwerty]

Katie, fire away, your opinion is as valid as anyone else's.

The only pain relief I remember was Brufen (from many moons ago) Worked for a while but then I think my body got used to them.

[Kiki-frog]

I'm glad she's OK, Katie, back pain can be so blooming miserable. And she's lucky having a daughter who cares and takes an interest.

[arwyn]

Kiki you can use your TENS for as long as you like, The only problem you will find is that the skin under the pads will become sore. To help prevent this move your pads to different spots and when your not using it put some E45 or something like that on the sore bits. Hope this answers you question x :)