Traction and TENS units

Published on March 2, 2005 By dharmagrl In Health & Medicine

My quest for non-narcotic pain relief for my back landed me in the pain relief clinic today.

I'm ambivalent about what therapy I have to start tomorrow...but I'm very happy with this little gadget they lent me.

Tomorrow I start traction therapy. I get to go lay on what could be called an instrument of torture in some countries and get stretched for an hour. It's supposed to take some pressure off the discs in my back, subsequently taking pressure off the nerve roots and hopefully easing my pain. The doctor said it's kind of a hit and miss treatment and it has a 50% chance of being successful....but it's not going to hurt anything if it doesnt work, so it's worth a shot.

He also gave me a TENS unit to take home and try for a couple of weeks. It's a little battery pack, about the size of a pager, that has electrodes attached to it. You place the electrodes over the painful area of your back, turn the unit on and up until you can fee a gentle tingling sensation, and leave it for 20 mins. If it works, and I get relief, he said he'd see about writing me a prescription for one.

It's working. I've used it twice today, and I can feel a marked difference in the level of sciatic pain I'm experiencing. It's not all the way gone; I'm not pain free....but it's a damn sight better than it usually is. When I go in for therapy tomorrow I'll mention it to him and see if he'll go ahead and let me get one of my own. They're not that expensive, so even if Tricare won't pay for it I'll still be able to afford one out of our pocket.

I'm not looking forward to traction, though.....it seems somewhat Draconian to me!

Comments

trina_p

on Mar 02, 2005

They offered TENS unit as an alternative form of pain relief to drugs, breathing and water at my ante natal classes.

dharmagrl

on Mar 02, 2005

They offered TENS unit as an alternative form of pain relief to drugs, breathing and water at my ante natal classes.

Yes, it's supposed to be very good for labor as well.

Shovelheat

on Mar 02, 2005

I dunno Dharma. Gimme drugs! It would be nice to see them put to a good use for a change...

Danny Bassette

on Mar 02, 2005

If it works stick with it, that's what I say. Although the traction might be fun too, you never know

In any case, I hope the pain lessens and you feel better.

dharmagrl

on Mar 02, 2005

dunno Dharma. Gimme drugs! It would be nice to see them put to a good use for a change...

Nah, it's not for me. I'm ok with it occasionally, but not routinely....and this problem isn't going to go away overnight, it's a long term thing.

Although the traction might be fun too, you never know

How can being stretched to the point of pain be fun? I don't see anything much fun about it....

Moderateman

on Mar 02, 2005

Moderateman

on Mar 02, 2005

I been "hooked" on a tens unit for long time mine has slots for 4 electrodes.. sometimes works sometimes does'nt good luck with yers

elie

dharmagrl

on Mar 02, 2005

#7 by Moderateman
Wednesday, March 02, 2005

I been "hooked" on a tens unit for long time mine has slots for 4 electrodes

That's what the one I'm using has. I'm finding that a set on my back and a set on the back of my thigh where the sciatic pain is usually worse is helping a fair bit. The doc really made me work today, and normally I'd be in a fair bit of pain...but tonight with this TENS going it's nothing more than uncomfortable. They're not that expensive either...so if I keep getting relief like this and my insurance won't cover it I think it'll be worth it to just buy one. If it helps even a little bit, it's worth it, I think.

Janders

on Mar 03, 2005

Sorry to hear about your pain, I will be sending good vibes your way!

MasonM

on Mar 03, 2005

Those TENS units are great for a while. I used one for my back for a while. Sadly, the effectiveness reduces over time. Ennjoy it while you can. Even drugs become less effective with time.

So far I haven't found anything that offers relief over the long term. Been living with the same pain, lower back and right leg, for 12 years. I had the surgery to remove two disks which improved the use of my right leg but made the pain worse due to permanent nerve damage.

I feel for you. I know exactly how you are feeling. I hope something helps you better than it did for me.

dharmagrl

on Mar 03, 2005

Those TENS units are great for a while. I used one for my back for a while. Sadly, the effectiveness reduces over time. Ennjoy it while you can. Even drugs become less effective with time.

That's what I'm finding. 2 percocet used to kick my ass, but now....I can't drive when I'm on them, but I can still function. I'm hoping that with this TENS unit, my need for meds will decrease dramatically, and when/if I have to take the meds again they'll be more effective.

I'm really having second thoughts about the surgery, Mason. I'm not sure I want to live with the consequences if it doesn't work...and it's looking like I'm not going to be limited to one surgery either. I dunno that I want to go through that....

I hope YOU are feeling better, and you really should stop by St Louis and say hello sometime!

Janders: Yay! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy for you! A little girl!!!!!!! I have pink yarn already....but I think I'm going to make your little one a hat out of ultra soft cotton and perhaps some booties and mittens to match!

Good luck with the new house too...let me know what your decorating style is and I'll try and send you a little housewarming gift!

MasonM

on Mar 03, 2005

While I had mixed results from the surgery, better use of the leg/increased pain, I know several people for whom it was very helpful. I guess there's really no way to know for sure.

I'm healing slowly, but it looks like my traveling days are pretty much over. I won't be able to go back to trucking and really don't want to do so anyway. That was more or less a break from my real field anyway. I'll be going back into technical work.

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