I have used a TENS unit for relief from lower back pain (spondylolisthesis) for over 20 years. But this thing is HUGE compared to what a normal TENS looks like.

The conventional TENS unit has a controller box and lead wires which connect to electrode pads (mine are 2" x 3") on your back (one on each side). Comparatively, this item is a monstrosity, which would be OK for home use, but I sure wouldn't want to wear it out in public... especially when a regular TENS unit is undetectable to the eye. Also, it doesn't appear that it would be as effective... as one person noted that you would have to wear it very tight to feel the effects.

If you have no other options, I think it would ease your pain, but search the internet for conventional TENS units. They will be much more effective. (They used to be sold by Rx only - no more.)

After reading through the comments I was compelled to post something. They do NOT work like "electric accupuncture" and are most definitely NOT "high tech snake oil". I'm a nurse - we use these quite often in the clinical setting & there is abundant scientific research to attest to their affectiveness. They don't work for everyone - but they do work for many. Here's a link to a decent layman's overview: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

My chiropractor got me started on these. It works. It is no morphine, but it works. I am actually interested to test on areas of arthritis as well.

radi0j0hn wrote:READ the warnings about not placing it across your head, etc. Can cause seizures if zapping the wrong places., according to the IB for one I saw.

Too late . . . already wearing one as a headband.

I was an iron worker in my younger days. After experiencing major back pain related to my very physical occupation, I visited a Chiropractor against the strong advice of my sister and father who were both traditional MDs in very large urban medical centers. They used terms like "witch-doctor" and voodoo to discourage me. After 6 months of the large medical center Dr telling me "do these exercises", try this pill, etc - the Chiropractor gave me immediate and REAL relief. There aren't AMA studies to support my claims, but I'm so glad I listened to a co-worker at the time. It was immediate and substantial relief that the AMA crowd was incapable of providing when given first crack at the problem. No, it was not a cure. Much of that came with proper exercise and diet afterwards. You need to get mobile enough and recover some pain-free range of motion before you can hope to exercise. This type of device is *one* of the tools in Chiro arsenal. This type of treatment helped me personally. No, it is not a silver bullet. According to another Chiropractor, who I now happen work out with 25 years later, this type of device works by addressing the swelling that is often a large contributing factor to lower back nerve pain. It uses small amounts of current to electrically stimulate the muscle tissue in the area of inflammation. He claims this results in increased blood flow to the tissue in the immediate area, which reduces the swelling (and pressure on the nerve), which reduces the pain. I'm in for one. This principle is selectively used to treat swelling in pro athletic applications too, but don't tell the nay-sayers.

FreePlayPSP wrote:As for the claim that "my chiropractor uses this so it's legit": Chiropractic, similarly is based on the idea that energy is flowing through your body, and by aligning your spine, you ease the flow of the energy and cause beneficial changes in various parts of the body.

It's complete and utter nonsense. It's a placebo that pays for the practitioner's Corvette.

-- You would do users here a good turn to stop spouting opinion over what is realistic. Just...stop...talking.

FreePlayPSP wrote:This is, of course, a bunch of high-tech snake oil. But hey, it's your money.

Really? Have you ever used a TENS, or had the need for one?? I have moderate (on a good day) to severe shoulder pain that will never abate due to serious scoliosis. I used to pay $20/wk to have one of these used on me at the physical therapist. I never felt better until I had to quit going.

P.O.S.!!! Bought one, never worked, couldn't get my mony back. It was a $39.99, + $5.00 for shipping, straight into the trash, piece of gristle. Do not buy this, period.

shindig966 wrote:Has anyone actually used one of these things? What kind of results have you had for moderate back pain?

I have no experience with this brand/model but I do have a TENS unit that was prescribed to me and it works quite well for the moderate back pain I experience since surgery. Easy to set up a cycle and watch the news or a movie. Doesn't eliminate all pain but definitely decreases it dramatically.

I have had low back pain for years and have had one corrective surgery for a herniated disc - I have tried every modality offered for treaatment and nothing compares to the TENS system for relief of muscular spasm. I bought the Medisana unit from Woot a while back and was so impressed I gifted the same unit to my father when it came up on a woot-off. He swears by it too. Although I can't attest to the Sharper Image unit, I can give an enthusiastic endorsement for TENS as a home remedy for mild to moderate lumbar spasm. If the Sharper Image unit compares to the Medisana then this is a terrific deal for those who suffer like I do.

So, what kind of battery is used in this? No scientific studies needed for this question.

aoviss wrote:I agree with the anti-acupuncture/pressure crowd. It's bogus and placebo, and at best pinches off nerves.

These types of remarks are typical of western medical bias. If you understood some of the very basic tenets of what acupuncture does, no western doctor would disagree. Acupuncture is about regulating circulation. When you have muscle pain or areas of discomfort, blood tends to pool or stagnate in certain areas. Stimulating certain nerves helps to improve circulatory flow which in turn helps to heal certain pains. It is not good for everything and certainly not a 100% alternative to western medicine, but it is a scientific form of medicine that has been practiced for thousands of years. Not some johnny-come-lately voodoo that relies on faith or magic. It is true as others have said that the stimulation of certain nerves can act as anesthesia. Western doctors are horrified by this fact as they don't know how to respond to this "witchcraft". But more and more doctors are coming on board as they learn more about the practice. By the way, how long has western medicine been practiced? Couple hundred years ago, western doctors were pretty barbaric.

[quote postid="3838185" user="FreePlayPSP"]I will repeat: If the makers of this device claim that it works based on acupuncture, it absolutely is snake oil. If it works as a TENS unit, it IS NOT working based on acupuncture.

Even if your statement is true about this being a placebo.. why ruin it for others that are finding relief from it? The mind can be a powerful thing. Obviously some of these people believes it works and some say it has worked. Why do you have to ruin it for them? Are you trying to prove how smart you are? It probably doesnt work for you because you think you are smarter than the product (or placebo as you may call it). At least some people are benefitting from it. But you are so smart that someone like you cant possibly benefit from it.

stygiania wrote:This might work for muscle pain, but do not use it if you suffer from fibromyalgia--this device will make it worse!

Just an FYI:
The reason that this wouldn't work would be due to the fact that Fibromyalgia is a psychological condition.

Lots of "anti" on here. I was treated at some of the best hospitals in the country for a back injury from a heli crash. Several of those specialists (not your neighborhood chiro) tried TENS systems on me. They didn't work for me, but when an orthopedic surgeon at two of the top hospitals suggests something as a course of treatment I would tend to believe it has a legit application.
I'll wait for the "johnny action home surgery kit" to come out instead, though.

FreePlayPSP wrote:The best-designed, best-controlled, best-blinded studies on the subject do not bear out your claims.

This isn't even a matter of standard science-based medicine versus acupuncture. This is a matter of studies strictly into acupuncture that show that it is a placebo and nothing more.

Now if I could only get my doctor to prescribe placebos for my girlfriend...

If the placebo effecto works, why disparage it; you are as happy as you want to be.

OTOH, if the placebo effect didn't do gristle for you... it's time it bring in bigger guns and try something else.

You may be a nurse, but you're no scientist. There is NO evidence that TENS is more effective at treating lower back pain than placebo. It also doesn't work for weight loss (for which is was marketed previously). It's snake oil. The article you referenced on WebMD stated in plain english that there's no evidence that it works.

Here's an even more relevant link on WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/news/20091230/tens-gets-thumbs-down-as-back-pain-treatment

I bought a similar one from Woot and it does work. It is one of the few things that relieve my severe back pain. The question I would have is how to get replacement pads and how much? The only thing I don't like is the pads.

yessrinc wrote:So, what kind of battery is used in this? No scientific studies needed for this question.

I believe it is a transistor battery. The brand I have uses that.

People's tolerance for pain differs widely. I regularly use this type of device set at at least 8 out of a possible 10. Comments here suggest 3 of 10 is torture for some people. The important thing is that it works so well for me that I bought a spare unit. Someone here wrote that when the pads get dirty and unsticky you can wash them off and get more use. I've found that to be true - but take it easy on the "wash." Keep the rinse as short as possible or you'll lose the "sticky." New pads are available on the Net (lgmedsupply.com) and there are not hundreds of different types - just get the ones with the proper connections for your unit.

I am concerned. I don't see ANYTHING in the features section about the temporal dampers, or even anything about the ability to travel through time. Several Google searches have also turned up nothing with regard to time travel. I would think twice before attempting to use this device for time travel of even five minutes, NEVER MIND going all the way back to the Kennedy assassination! Buyer beware!

Alright, barring the people arguing if this is pseudoscience or gristle or whatever...

I need to know how intense this thing gets. Anyone push it to 8-9-10? Is it a serious TENS unit or just some junk that the sharper image is peddling?

shindig966 wrote:Has anyone actually used one of these things? What kind of results have you had for moderate back pain?

I bought this from Woot! a year or so ago for my husband, who frequently suffers from lower back spasms & has pretty intense pain. It WORKS! He has been having an episode this week as a matter of fact....and is wearing it this very moment. It has become a life saver for us/him. Also, his Physical Therapist puts one on him that is almost identical to this one, which is really saying something.
I highly recommend it.

i bought one last time and was not disappointed. you do have to use the belt, so you're limited to the lower back range. i have a 38" inch waist, and it fits me fine. anyone with a large stomach, or waist over 44" or so may have some fit issues.

luvsfordpower wrote:I use a basic model bought from my chiropractor for back pain. It works reasonably well for pain relief. On my lower back, it is comparable to taking prescription pain medication. The only downside is that for me, the pain relief only lasts while the unit is on.

As long as you follow the safety precautions, they are very safe. Don't put the electrodes on your face or neck, don't get in a bathtub with it on, etc.

Wow that really is shocking....

So how many volts does this put out Has anyone found that information anywhere?

From the Medical point of view
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/325107-overview

Literature on the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in a variety of medical conditions reports a wide range of outcomes, from very positive to negative. Currently, there is an overall consensus favoring the use of TENS, with authorities differing on its value in different clinical situations. Generally, TENS provides initial relief of pain in 70-80% of patients, but the success rate decreases after a few months or longer to around 20-30%. To exclude a false-negative response, a trial of TENS for at least 1 hour should be given to confirm potential benefit from subsequent continuous use.

Can you use these on body parts other than your back? I have a friend who recommended TENS treatment for a perpetually sore/out of whack shoulder (volleyball), but I don't know if I've ever seen a shoulder one (not that I've looked a ton). Would this unit be effective just placed/wrapped on the shoulder?

ooooooooo Sharper Image! This product should last for a good two hours!!

pbowman wrote:Can you use these on body parts other than your back? I have a friend who recommended TENS treatment for a perpetually sore/out of whack shoulder (volleyball), but I don't know if I've ever seen a shoulder one (not that I've looked a ton). Would this unit be effective just placed/wrapped on the shoulder?

Yes.. you should be able to put the electropads directly on the shouler ( with maybe some tape to hold it in place ). My accupuncturist used them on my shoulders and lower back.

tlippert362 wrote:I'm sorry, but that's bunk. The standards they're using would fail a substantial number of medications which are in common use by the medical community. Most OTC pain relievers and earlier antidepressants would not pass their test.

Antidepressants have never been demonstrated to do anything specifically nor has there ever been any substantive evidence that they even treat an aspect of the problem.

Saying that there are medications that are currently sold and do not work does not justify the use of a different treatment which ALSO does not work. That being said, recent evidence has indicated that anti-depressants are probably only useful for severe depression and they may not be helpful for moderate-to-mild depression. Acupuncture doesn't even have a biological mechanism, let alone clinical evidence for its usefulness.

*PS: I have no idea if the TENS unit works because I don't know what its proposed mechanism is. If its mechanism is electronic acupuncture, than it doesn't work.

Chiropractic fixed the sciatica I used to have...haven't had it more than 20 years.

And acupuncture fixed a chronic knee problem I used to have...that's been more than 20 years ago too.

NOTE: Information presented above is from personal observation, NOT from a "scientific" study funded by Deep Pockets, Inc.

Okay guys. Here's the REAL skinny.

This thing is a massager. It's not a freakin accupuncture on electricity gizmo.

It causes your muscles to contract and relax. Muscles can only be contracted so much until they are exhausted and cannot contract anymore. Every tried to work out hard and can't put out one more rep of weights because you're muscles are too tired?

This basically does that in a micro sense. Your muscles turn to jello and become soft and malliable. perfect for chiros or therapist to work on. It becomes easier to manipulate bones ligaments, joints, etc.

This is not snake oil, but it's also not some magic cure. It's a tool used as part of a treatment and as a massager.

THAT IS ALL.

I've been having this done for years, and i know what it does.

novakim wrote:These types of remarks are typical of western medical bias. If you understood some of the very basic tenets of what acupuncture does, no western doctor would disagree. Acupuncture is about regulating circulation. When you have muscle pain or areas of discomfort, blood tends to pool or stagnate in certain areas. Stimulating certain nerves helps to improve circulatory flow which in turn helps to heal certain pains.

If you understood some of the basic tenets of physics and physiology, you would understand that "stagnating blood" doesn't mean anything. Your blood stops moving under one, and only one, condition -- when you die.

*PS: I have no idea if the TENS unit works because I don't know what its proposed mechanism is. If its mechanism is electronic acupuncture, than it doesn't work.

Well, I don't know if the product is worth a load of pond carp or not, but the discussions have been lotsa fun!

FreePlayPSP: thanks. Keep fighting the good fight. The emperor remains naked, no matter how many people insist otherwise.

Some of the simplest question are also the most profound. "If it really does what it's supposed to do, why doesn't it work on skeptics?" is one of my favorites. Real medicine works whether you believe in it or not. Real anything at all works whether you believe in it or not.

And, yes, I have used TENS systems before, for a few months combined with chiropractic adjustments for chronic back pain ten years ago and following an automobile accident fifteen years ago.

The electrical stimulation provided an easy, mechanical shortcut to precisely the same effect I'd have received from a good massage: my back got all warm and tingly.

(Unfortunately, I couldn't get my insurance company to pay a pretty girl to come over and give me a back rub, so I had to take what I could get.)

Of course, anything that improves circulation will lead to faster healing, because that's how blood works*. And anything that causes mild discomfort will eventually lead to feeling mildly better, because that's how endorphins work*. (Note that Wikipedia's TENS article specifically mentions its use in the BDSM community; in for threes, I'm looking at you. ;)

What this is very probably superb for: Increasing circulation in targeted areas of the body among groups of people who either weren't getting enough exercise before they started using it, or found themselves suddenly unable to take any more brisk walks (because of the onset of the injury causing the pain which led to the use of the device in the first place).

But, again, the device isn't doing the healing. The body is, plus time. The device may be merely giving the natural healing process a bit of a boost.

"Through the miracle of acupuncture, Kissinger had his appendix taken out WITHOUT ANESTHESIA ZOMG" very quickly becomes "a regular old journalist got his regular old appendix taken out while doped to the nines on regular old painkillers" if you bother checking the facts. Why "spoil it" for everyone else? Well, if what you're being told or sold are straight-up falsehoods, then skepticism is pretty, ahem, healthy.

* my source: science.

I look to woot! for my Roomba and flush light needs, not medical devices. It's like getting a hamburger at the Dr.'s office; it just doesn't seem right. Turbo most excellent!

Purchased this as a gift for my girlfriend who happens to be a nurse. After being diagnosed with genetic DDD (degenerative disk disease) and then exacerbating her disc issues from sports, she underwent several lower back surgeries.
Hence, she's been the recipient of professional TENS unit therapy during her recoveries, and I remember her telling me that nothing had ever felt so good.
Not so long ago, I saw the first Woot offer for a TENS unit - I figured that for $45.00, getting a TENS unit for home would be a welcomed financial risk, even if it wasn't on par with the professional medical units.
Based upon her feedback, I can honestly say that this was one of the BEST investments I've ever made - It works exceedingly well.
She only uses it for 10-15min max (it has a default timer for each "session"), and the highest setting she's ever used is 4. As long as you're careful with the pads, they should last a long time - We haven't had to replace any as of yet.
In all seriousness, if using a TENS unit would benefit you, then I would not pass up this Woot deal. Speaking from personal experience, this product has made both of our lives much, much better.

gentlemen, this is a GREAT product. i saw many doctors that could not treat my severe case of erectile dysfunction. after only using the TENS for 3 days, it was like i was 13 all over again. you have to wear it like a diaper essentially.

To the skeptics- TENS was used as the only pain relief in the hospital supported birth of my son. Worked great and I didn't have to recover from drugs in my system.