A TENS unit can be purchased without a prescription. However, you may need medical evidence from your doctor in order for your insurer to pay for it. A TENS unit’s out-of-pocket cost can range from less than $100 for a basic unit to more than $500 for a unit with additional capabilities.
Can a doctor prescribe a TENS unit?
TENS devices can be supplied by a practitioner and require a prescription, or they can be purchased without one. Prescribed devices may give higher-intensity stimulation than units supplied to the general population.
How much does a prescription TENS unit cost?
A TENS device can be purchased online and operated at home. It isn’t usually covered by insurance, but it also doesn’t require a prescription.
A TENS device can cost anything from $30 to $100. According to Dr. Kahn, it is not as effective for acute back pain “But I use and prescribe it to almost all of my patients with chronic back pain.” A TENS unit can last several years, but the electrodes, which have transmitting gel built in to the disposable pads, will need to be replaced as often as weekly. The cost of a month’s supply of electrodes is between $10 and $15. Some units can be significantly more expensive, although it’s unclear whether there’s a benefit to devices in this price range.
TENS units at the higher end of the pricing spectrum usually have intensity levels that are strong enough to stimulate and contract muscles, making them useful for treating muscle spasms. “Muscle spasm and irritation in the surrounding muscles of the spine are almost always present when you have spine pain,” Dr. Kahn notes.
Best Practices for TENS Unit Use
So, you’ve purchased a TENS unit and are now the proud owner of one. Congratulations! Here are some pointers to help you get the most out of your smartphone.
- Consult your physician beforehand. If you have a pacemaker, you should avoid using a TENS device. If you have another sort of electrical implant, are pregnant, or have epilepsy or a heart condition, consult your doctor before using a TENS unit to treat back or other pain.
- Experiment with different intensities and modify the settings to your liking. “Dr. Kahn recommends working up to a point where you feel tingling but not so much that your muscles are clenching. If your TENS machine has a muscle stimulation option, try a low degree of muscle stimulation if you think you’re suffering a muscular spasm. “TENS units are designed to be used for a long time, according to Dr. Kahn. The tingly, prickly sensation of electricity may fade over time as you get used to using a TENS device, but the treatment can still be beneficial.
- Keep an eye on the clock. Limit TENS unit use in muscle stimulation mode to 10 to 15 minutes for the greatest results. In pure TENS mode, a TENS unit can be applied in the same body area for up to two hours per treatment, two to three times daily. According to Dr. Kahn, it would be possible to apply a TENS unit on each section of the spine for up to two hours at a time for whole spine pain (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar). A TENS unit is not suggested after two hours since the electrical current may irritate the skin.
Pain can be perplexing and peculiar in general. “TENS units work wonders for certain individuals who don’t respond well to pharmaceutical pain relievers. Others don’t respond to a TENS device at all, but do well with something as simple as Tylenol or ibuprofen, according to Dr. Kahn.
Still, a TENS device is a low-cost option to try to control chronic focal back pain, and it’s worth a go. Pain that lasts three to six months, or beyond the normal time for healing has past, is considered chronic. Someone who received alleviation while using a TENS unit in physical therapy sessions is a perfect candidate for a TENS device at home, according to Kahn.
The purpose of utilizing a TENS unit is to relieve pain and increase your capacity to function in everyday life. “It provides you something you can use on your schedule instead of taking a medication and gives you back control, which is also an excellent psychological treatment for pain,” Dr. Kahn explains.
Are TENS covered by Medicare?
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is covered by Medicare for the management of acute post-operative pain. TENS may be covered if it is used in conjunction with or instead of medicines to relieve acute pain caused by surgery.
Can a chiropractor prescribe a TENS unit?
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators) are a common method of pain management that chiropractors, physical therapists, and doctors frequently prescribe. TENS blocks the transmission of pain impulses along nerves while also releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Electrodes are put on the area of discomfort in TENS units. As their doctor, you’ll help them choose an intensity level that’s right for them, show them how to use the electrodes, and usually send them home with a personal TENS device.
Here are some of the most common TENS units recommended by chiropractors.
Is it worth buying a TENS machine?
There isn’t enough high-quality scientific research to tell whether TENS is a safe and effective pain reliever. More research is required, and clinical trials are now underway.
It appears to assist some people, according to healthcare professionals, albeit how effectively it works varies on the individual and the illness being treated.
TENS is not a pain cure, and it usually only provides temporary relief while the TENS unit is in operation.
However, because the treatment is generally considered to be quite safe, you may decide to try it instead of or in addition to other medical therapies.
What’s the difference between EMS and TENS?
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) devices are designed to stimulate the muscles for the goal of strengthening and rehabilitating them, whereas Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machines are designed to stimulate the nerves only for the purpose of reducing pain.
If you want to treat nerve discomfort, we recommend using a Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation (TENS) machine that combines TENS and heat, such as the OMRON HeatTens. Similarly, if you’re looking for muscle pain relief or want to strengthen your muscles as part of a training program, we recommend using an Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) machine.
What is better than a TENS unit?
To cause muscles to contract, EMS uses a little greater current than TENS. The electrodes on the unit (which are also implanted near the afflicted muscles on the skin) induce rhythmic contractions. If the user tries to contract both muscles at the same time, this can develop muscle strength.
Will a TENS unit help a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve causes discomfort, tingling, weakness, or numbness as a result of too much pressure from its surrounding tissues. The nerve’s function can also be disrupted by pressure on it. The use of a TENS unit in the neck for pain relief can help to mend damaged nerves and enhance function.
Electrodes should also not be placed near the genitals. TENS, on the other hand, can be used by healthcare experts to help men and women with sexual function. TENS therapy can help with pelvic floor muscles, which can make it difficult to get or keep an erection.
TENS may also help with stomach cramps caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In this case, a TENS device could help ease discomfort.
Does a TENS unit help sciatica?
Many individuals question if TENS might help with sciatica discomfort. Yes, it is correct. TENS can help individuals with sciatica pain, including the radiating and sometimes severe shooting pains. It’s a non-addictive, safe painkiller that could help you relieve pain and regain movement if you’re suffering from sciatica.
You know how inconvenient Sciatica pain can be if you have it. The scorching or throbbing pain radiates across your lower and upper back, buttocks, and down your legs to your feet and ankles, causing discomfort.