How to Relieve Back Back Pain with Electric Shocks
Back pain can interrupt your life in many ways. There are many reasons for back pain that range from minor strains to herniated discs and degenerative conditions that may eventually require surgery. While most people will never need back surgery, preventing and curing back pain helps keep people at work and maintaining their normal daily activities. When over-the-counter pain medications, massage and chiropractic fail to provide relief, your doctor may look to use a TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators) to alleviate your pain.
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Instructions
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Obtain a TENS unit prescription from your doctor. Not everyone can use a TENS unit because it send electrical impulses into the body.
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Place the electrodes on the area where the pain originates from. Your doctor may advise you of several areas. There should be at least two electrodes that you can use to flank the area of pain. For example if the pain is in your lower spinal region, you will be advised to place the electrodes on either side of the spinal cord.
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3
Turn the unit on to a high frequency setting. The highest frequencies are barely noticeable. As you decrease the frequency, you will begin to feel a vibration in the area. Keep the unit on for 20-30 minutes as directed by your doctor.
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Repeat Step 3 three times daily and note how long you are getting relief. If the relief is not extensive, you will want to decrease the frequency. This will be more difficult to tolerate, but generally gives longer pain relief results.
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Talk to your doctor about how the unit is helping or not helping you. It may take several days and trying a few different regions with different frequency settings to determine the most effective placement of the electrodes.
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Tips & Warnings
If you suffer from epilepsy or have a pacemaker you should not use TENS units. Using one may result in an epileptic seizure or complications of your pacemaker unit.
Never use a TENS unit near your throat or on children without consulting your doctor first.
