I have used all kinds of systems. Daily use of a blender and exercise works best for me. Takes less than 10 or 15 minutes a day. Get down flat on the floor.
Raise your knees, bump your rear four or or five times.
Strech out your legs one at a time. See if you can get your spine to POP!
Then lay both legs flat on the floor.
Do as many SLOW leg lifts as you can (max 20)with each leg.
Raise your knees and twist your legs and hips to the right and left ( 20 times), let your lower spine move but keep your shoulders flat.
Turn on your side and do up to 20 slow leg lifts, repeat on other side.
Use the blender throughout the day as necessary.

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

I've owned one of these units (not the same one sold here today) for the last 3 years and I use it about 4 times/week. It's absolutely wonderful!

I use mine for lower back pain, which I get very frequently in spurts. When I don't have any pain I don't use it, but when I do have pain I can tell you that it works! It's almost like magic. For reasons which I don't completely understand, the use of this device allows the body to block pain, sometimes for a few days.

By the way, you can buy one of these units at a medical supply outlet but expect to pay one heck of a lot more money! I found that the local medical supply outlet gets about 10 times more for a unit that is basically the same...that's right, 10 times more.

Finally, you will need a supply of pads as contact pads must by changed after about 20 applications. They're not very expensive but they are necessary. If you choose not to buy this item on Woot today, you can still buy a similar item on line at a very reasonable price. Just do a search for teens unit and a lot of buying alternatives will be displayed. What ever you do, if you have back pain or pain in other parts, get one of these units...you will not be sorry!

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.

In some states you might need a Dr.'s Rx for this device.
A Louisiana MD

Wow, lots of opinions on these...and lots of controversy.

First off, I bought mine during a previous Woot - a different brand which have only four contact points. This one I see has six.

At any rate, I didn't know what to think of these when I purchased them, they didn't cost very much. But since I've had lower back pain off and on most of my adult life, what the heck.

I stored them in the closet and basically forgot about them. A couple of years went by - yeah, I bought them that long ago - and recently did something that strained my back and that old pain came back. Was popping pain pills for a couple of days when I remembered the TENS unit sitting in the closet. Dug it out, unboxed the thing, popped a 9volt in and put it on, and .... WOW!!!

I don't know what all the controversy is about, but these things do work and provide a sense of relief. My back pain was moderate to severe to where I would have trouble standing straight or walking. It feels like hundreds of little vibrating fingers pushing and massaging your back, the sensation is fairly strong. I found myself playing with the unit and cycling thru the many different "patterns" of massage finding some much more effective than others. Anyway, I like this thing and glad I bought it.

Battery still works after a solid week of use. Back pain subsided after a week and gone by the following week. I went thru a couple set of pads in that week: the adhesive wears down after several uses and the pads must be replaced with fresh ones. The belt is elastic so one size fits all, I guess.

For what it's worth.

Have one of the earlier models - only 4 contact points instead of the 12 on this belt. Controller is different, also. No information given on how many waveforms the controller can produce; the other one can deliver 8 different modulations.

Otherwise, same comment as in all previous woots: makes a hell of an adult toy when the belt/pads are replaced with probes, bands, clips, etc. Connectors are not standard, but there are converters that allow use of most electrodes with most boxes. My favorite is the 'sound' electrode.

As always, S.S.C. practices are encouraged!

Wow! 36 replies from the same user on the first 4 pages! Doesn't seem like someone trying to push an agenda at all! (That or a know-it-all med drop-out trying to prove his worth on the Internet.)

I've used similar units under the supervision on a chiropractor and physical therapists and eventually bought one of my own. Whether its placebo or real results, the fact is, after 15 or 20 minutes of this "voodoo medicine" most of my back pain is gone and I can function normally. As someone with 2 herniated discs who was expected to have to have surgery 5 years ago because the pain was getting so bad, I'll take anything I can get.

A professional TENS (brand name) unit runs about $1000 and is a registered medical device by the FDA. Makes you wonder why these are being unloaded for under $40. Maybe "Image" couldn't sell them or had a LOT of returns.

Roostalee wrote:That said, what's the harm in believing it works, even if indeed it is a placebo? We've heard countless accounts of people in medication trials having positive results from (unknowingly) taking placebos. Sure, they're being duped, but no worse for wear.

I've been reading this discussion with some interest because I suffered for a decade with mind-blowing back pain after getting a totaled in a rear-end crash. Ultimately that pain was completely resolved by spinal fusion. (And the first stop was to a Chiropractor who completely missed the fractured vertebrae - even on her x-ray. A mistake I won't repeat.)

TENS was one of the more conservative treatments tried by the MDs, and for me it was completely ineffective.

But regarding the notion of "you have nothing to lose", I vehemently disagree.

For people suffering with chronic, intractable pain, snake oil and the false promise of hope that attends their presentation has a real cost in terms of the well being of the patient.

To have your hopes of relief or a cure falsely raised and then smashed to the pieces as you realize that once again, you've been played for a sucker by a snake-oil salesman who has made off (Madoff?) with your money leaves you feeling stupid, desperate and re-focused on the pain that is ruining your life. It drives you further in to depression and despair.

As other posters have pointed out, the "whaddaya have to lose" approach is the never ending mantra of these liars, cheats and thieves. And it's making the payment on their Corvette at your expense.

Those who make their living by preying on the fear, pain and diseases of others are among the worst kind of people on the planet. I suspect that there's an extra hot corner of hell reserved just for them.

It's amazing all the posts from folks that never used it and say it doesn't work. Whereas the posts from folks that use it say it works.

I had re-hab on my lower back and they use the same type thing at re-hab (well a more expensive version). I bought one of these myself and just used it last night. I had been lifting stuff all yesterday and the pain was very bad but it was gone after using this. Anyway for lower back pain it worked for me. I would recommend it for anyone with a lot of back pain.

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

i have the original belt with good sticky strips.
I don't know how good this item is but if yuo get a four channel box with multiple settings you'll be happy check at amazon.
I've had my box for six months and it works great for moderate pain to holy gristle i can't move. Or for a great message.
But, that unit looks cheap and the belts only got four post.

Following a bad car accident several years ago, I used TENS therapy to help relieve the intense pain in my neck and shoulders. I truly believe it helped me at that time. It was my understanding that through the use of targeted, successive increases in electrical stimulation to the affected region, one develops an acclimation to the pain of the injury because the brain is also working to process the stimulation from the device that is creating more pain. The shocks from the machine should be more intense than the pain you are feeling from the injury in order for the process to work. Yes, I believe the principal is based on trying to trick your brain into thinking the pain from your injury is nothing compared to this other pain, so you "ignore" or get used to the injury pain. In other words, it does not cure the pain, just makes you think you don't have it. BUT (disclaimer) I am no doctor, just speaking from experience.

A recent position paper from the AAN states that there is no evidence that TENS units are of benefit.
Save your money

shmusie wrote:Let me get this straight-so when Kissinger and Nixon were in China and Kissinger had his appendix removed by acupuncture and no anesthia (these are all documented historical facts) that could have been done with a placebo or a sugar pill??
Come on-acupuncture is real sir!

If you're going to quote "facts," why don't you try to get them correct. It wasn't Kissinger, it was a journalist named James Reston. And he had anesthesia for the surgery (thank God), but after the surgery they used acupuncture to deaden the post-op pain.

Bold move on the Kennedy joke.

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

Helped my wife's back pain. She likes it. However, the pads that come with it are hard to find. Finally got the manufacturer to order some (they had been discontinued) and they cost $50 for two sets.

All this talk of back pain is making me feel old...oh wait, I am old. What was I saying?

Daniel Calvin Hendra wrote:Anyone want to buy some extra pads?

How much are you selling these extra pads for?

My husband has used a Dr. prescribed TENS machine for years, and it DOES help his back and shoulder pain. As I understand it (a phrase many here would do well to use) it works the muscles, bringing blood into the region of pain, stimulating healing. I have used it on rare occasions (prior to my internal cardiac defibrilator implant) and also found relief.

It has nothing to do with acupuncture. Just because it feels like pins and needles while at work doesn't make it synonymous with acupuncture! I'd say it would be more like acupressure, but that doesn't even fit.

If you need something like this for cronic back pain, I'd go thru your doc and the insurance company, who paid for ours units. For you naysayers, if the insurance company is going to pay for it, it must be worth something. And they supply the pads for free. Then again....

If you want something for occasional back pain that is muscular in nature (again, from my understanding) then something like this might be great.

I'm interested in extra pads if anyone has extra to sell.
Thanks

The best way to relieve back pain is to exercise. 99% of back pain is because we spend all day sitting on our butts. Doing sit ups, which strengthens your stomach muscles also will strengthen your back muscles.


sit up can even make your herniated disks feel better in as little as a week.

@FreePlay et. al.
A lot of bile poured out chiro and accupuncture. Your attack on all things holistic made me wonder what your motivation may have been. Paid shill for ... hmm ... who stands to benefit from not buying one of these? Then I realized, you are an adherent to the 'skeptic' religion just like they are adherents to the 'believers'. You can't help yourself - you have to straighten out the yokels.
I've been to good chiropractors and bad. I've seen some of the 'energy flow/chi' guys and I can tell you, something is happening. I don't happen to be a fan of it so I don't go to them but for people that go and it works, good on them.
The part of the skeptic religion I don't understand is the 'pee in the pool' mentality- 'I don't believe this so therefore you can't either'. If it works, who cares? If it's a placebo that takes away pain, sweet! no side effects and the pain's still gone!
Lighten up! We get that you don't do holistic. Fine - just don't go to a chiro, stay away from needles and don't buy one of these.
Peace,
Juan

FreePlayPSP wrote:

There is no evidence whatsoever that chi exists, let alone that manipulating the flow of chi can cause any sort of change in the body.

There's no evidence that God exists either, but it sure makes a lot of people feel better. Just let people decide for themselves if this is something they want to buy or not. I bought the Medisana one and it helped block the pain. I had a ruptured disc for 12 months and just got surgery recently. The pain was chronic and many days close to unbearable. The TENS unit helped me with my pain management.

Science is also learning new things every day that they once thought differently about.

FreePlayPSP wrote:And we can stop RIGHT THERE, because you're already off-track.

We're not talking about electrochemical signals transmitted along the nerves here. We're talking about "chi," a SPIRITUAL energy which flows through "meridians" in the body and which is completely and utterly undetectable.

There is no evidence whatsoever that chi exists, let alone that manipulating the flow of chi can cause any sort of change in the body.

If the flow of a signal to/from a nerve is cut off, it's cut off completely. It's not a matter of X% of the signal can get through - it's either 0% or 100%. Yet chiropractors and acupuncturists claim that a PARTIAL flow of energy (which does not happen) can cause problems.

uhh wrong... research conduction tests for problems like carpal tunnel and epicondylitis.

Tonicisserious wrote:how safe are these in the hands of a layman?

Safe as long as you use common sense. I have used a TENS unit for several years now. My unit is prescribed by a doctor and is a bit more sophisticated than this one but the belt looks like it will place the pads for you. Just an FYI do not put the pads to close to your spine, you can get some really painful/wacky feelings if you do. My unit has really helped me a lot with muscle cramps associated with my back pain.

From

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=109748

Dec. 30, 2009 -- A widely used, somewhat controversial treatment for chronic low back pain is not effective and cannot be recommended, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) now says.

In other words, this is garbage. Don't get taken and shame on you Woot for selling snake oil. The USB toasters and other gristle, I don't mind - people know what they are getting. But this promises medical relief for people in pain and it reportedly can't deliver. That's shameful.

spectrumdata wrote:Helped my wife's back pain. She likes it. However, the pads that come with it are hard to find. Finally got the manufacturer to order some (they had been discontinued) and they cost $50 for two sets.

you may want to try http://www.empi.com/ this is the company i use and my insurance covers the cost as long as the unit was a doctor prescribed one.

1. Does this unit have the ability to use "regular" stim pads and leads?

2. Can you use the leads/PADS included with it WITHOUT the belt?

3. Does the belt have built-in pads?

I actually own three different versions of a TENS unit. I got one years ago off HSN, picked one up at Kohl's a year or two later (because it had four pads as opposed to only two on my first one) and then one off Woot last year sometime (had a belt unit similar to this one).

The following is true for all of my units...

1) for those concerned w/ the power of a battery vs a plug in? I have a high threshold for pain and can not use this on high - it's way too strong.
2) batteries last for quite a long time. I can go a few months without new batteries (I am not using it daily though).
3) in the directions (on at least one of mine) it says that you should wash the pads in warm water to keep them clean and bring the "sticky" back. I have been able to use teh same pads for a very, very long time taking care of them this way.
4)This goes a long way in taking the edge off my pain. I even use it on my upper neck/shoulder to help ease my tension headaches. Sometimes it's the only thing that will help take the horrific pain away.

Hope this helps clear up a few things.

These are awesome!

edit* after suffering from chronic, daily neck pain and headaches for most of my 20s and early 30s, I finally discovered accupuncture. After about a dozen sessions (accupuncture w/ electric stimulators in the needles) my pain is virtually gone going on 5 years now. You can say it doesn't work all you want, but I say you're wrong.

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

Yes, I don't use it often, but just by coincedence I used it yesterday to great results. My back had been nagging me all week & I finally had had enough & so pulled out my TENS unit. I agree with others here that it is very important to keep it tight to your skin. (and somewhat difficult to do) The way I accomplish this is to simply lay down on my bed. An hour later I was unbelievably better. That allowed me to relax and get some good sleep, which IMHO is 1/2 the battle on back pain.

I'm not a big fan of Sharper Image, but I do have to say that I am a big fan of this product. I got it the last time it was on WOOT.

This has definitely helped me after back surgery (herniated disk). I use the belt whenever I know I will be sitting for a long time (like in car rides).

The pads do lose their stickiness but all you really have to do is wash them with warm water and soap and they work better again. Haven't bought a replacement pad yet.

Batteries last longer than I expected.

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.

... it has nothing to do with a flow of energy through the body... the electrical stimulation relaxes the muscles in your back. its the tension that causes the pain more often than the spine itself. relieve this tension and you relieve the pain. I had TENS therapy when i strained my quad and hammy in high school football. TENS is not just for the spine, it worked wonders on my thigh.

I have a TENS unit from Empi, and it's quite amazing. There seems to be a lot of bias opinions on here from people who probably don't know what there talking about, but $40 for this is a good deal. I wouldn't trade mine in for the world.

If you had undiagnosed chronic pain, how would you know?

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.

OK, OK, UNCLE! You don't like things that arent' AMA approved. We get it. Give it a rest!

What waist size will this fit?

I have a ton of the pads from a previous bag-o-cr@p, I'll happily send them someone's way...

1. talk to your doctor
2. i use a TENS unit infrequently and it works great. saves me a trip to the chiropractor.

LGMEDSUPPLY.com has several models that work well. extra pads and stuff too. careful, you will get email for the rest of your life from these guys once you buy something.

FreePlayPSP wrote:Specifically related to the claim that acupuncture (and devices based on the concept of acupuncture) can relieve back pain:

It doesn't.

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. But under testing guidelines in place at the time they were marginally better than a placebo and so got approved.

Were they to go through the process today, most of the ones from a decade ago and longer wouldn't be approved.

I do find it interesting though that Group Health which specializes in science based medicine approves acupuncture treatment. Probably because the scientific methodology of the experiment wasn't particularly well designed. This isn't the sort of thing where you can conduct a double blind.