This is topic Back pain sufferers... in forum Member forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on December 10, 2011, 12:43 PM:
I know several of you guys suffer chronic lower back pain like I do. At least one of you, even worse than me, which, unfortunately, is saying something...
Anyway, I've been using a new tool lately and am satisfied enough with the results I thought I'd post it for any of you who might be interested.
I've been using this TENS unit lately.
On my infrequent trips to the chiropractor, he uses an industrial version of this same machine and it has always helped, so when I learned that there were inexpensive home use versions like the one above, I decided to give it a try.
This is no magic bullet, no miracle, just another tool in the arsenal that I am finding worthwile. It does help me with the pain management. And along with inversion, ice, heat, stretching and massive doses of ibuprofen, I find it does speed up getting back to normal from what I call an "episode", where my back acts up to the point it prevents normal activity, like coyote hunting...
If nothing else, it feels good, for a little while. And sometimes when the pain is really getting to me, even just a little relief, for a little while, is a big deal.
I played around with electrodes and placement, for my particular situation, I've found the placement shown in this youtube video seems to work the best.
Like I said, not a magic bullet, far from it, but for me it is helpful and was well worth the price of the unit and electrodes. So, I thought I'd pass it along, just in case someone else might benefit from it.
- DAA
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 10, 2011, 01:07 PM:
Interesting stuff. I'd probably be more interested in it were it not for the fact that the morphine I've been taking for the past year or so has been working very well for me.
But, like I said before, one beer gets me kinda loopy, so I have to be careful. Oh, and a unit like this has an advantage over what I have to go through to get my prescription filled every month, which is a pain in the ass and (I think) designed to discourage me from getting refills.
Even so, I could see having something like this available, for those special days, as I'm sure you know what I mean?
gh....lb
edit: BTW, Dave. I used to take Ibuprofen and Naprocin but then my Dr said I should taper off of it because it damages the kidneys. My mother had one kidney and my brother had a cancerous kidney removed and I have a benign tumor on my left kidney so I didn't have any trouble deciding to quit the Ibuprofen.
[ December 10, 2011, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on December 10, 2011, 01:17 PM:
Yeah... The ibuprofen is an evil, for sure. Especially at the (massive) dosages I take. I just try not to take it at all when I'm feeling semi-normal. But, when I'm having an epsisode, I don't have any prescription stuff available, so, I do what I feel like I have to, and just cross my fingers on the kidneys...
- DAA
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on December 10, 2011, 01:53 PM:
Yep. pretty cool machines.. I used a larger unit for a few years and then gave it to my sister ( Reg. nurse).. Anytime one of the family members needs a treatment she stops over and hooks them up.. Been lucky I have'nt had to use mine for some time...
[ December 10, 2011, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
Posted by Cdog911 (Member # 7) on December 10, 2011, 03:21 PM:
I don't have that specific unit, but mine is just like it. My insurance paid for it when I was under the care of a physical therapist. I take it with me whenever I travel,... just in case. A real life saver, when it's been needed. Just be careful not to overdo things. A little goes a long way. Fifteen minutes set at too high of modulation will kick your ass the next day.
Posted by JD (Member # 768) on December 10, 2011, 04:01 PM:
This back injury has cost me somewhere in the area of 75 to 80 thousand dollars in lost wages, doctor bills and one cash out of pocket surgery, I believe anything that works to relieve pain is worth a try.
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on December 10, 2011, 09:30 PM:
Really, really, hate to hear of anybody suffering with back pain. It was about 16 years ago when I hurt my back and for almost two years it was pure hell. I know that's nothing compared to what a few guys on this board have been going through, but at that time it was enough to actually make me contemplate grabbing a rifle, taking a long walk and not coming back.
Long story short, things gradually improved to where it was just a some daily discomfort. I know back pain and it's causes are different for eveybody, but for me the thing that made me pain free was getting a set of custom orthotic inserts made for my feet. When I mentioned to the podiatrist that my back felt great after wearing the orthos for a month, he said he had heard that from a lot of people who suffered from back trouble.
Anymore, I don't help people move pianos or pool tables out of basements or crazy shit like that, but knock wood I can pretty much do anything I want and feel great. I really hope anybody going through going through back pain finds something to relieve their suffering. I know from my short while dealing with it, it was no damn fun.
Posted by Rich (Member # 112) on December 11, 2011, 05:32 AM:
DAA,
I could actually receive a Tens machine with no cost to me. Medicare and my Insurance supplement would pay for it. I am taking physical therapy again even as we speak. I broke my Lumbar #1 a year or two ago. Working in my call making shop brings on another round of back pain. I know that my arms are not long enough to attach those electrodes in the right place, so I would need to trick my wife in to putting the dang things on there for me. I am going to try not losing the list of exercise routines they send home with me. This house is a nightmare of papers. When it gets to looking like that T.V. program "Hoarding, buried alive" I pick up all of the papers and throw em in recycle bin.
Posted by Randy Roede (Member # 1273) on December 11, 2011, 08:15 AM:
Was working on my snowmobile a week or so ago, just bent over and got a sharp pain in my lowerback, couldn't do much for three days. I get it every once in awhile by doing some of the weirdest things. Not really lifting etc. It all started trying to dunk a basketball playing a game against my sons and jammin the ball into the front of the rim in the 90's, "white men can't jump"! I was flat on my back for over a week and tweek it every once in awhile since then.
I feel for those of you with chronic serious pain, a bad back is one of the worst!!
It's hell to get old!
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 11, 2011, 09:46 AM:
I wonder how many of these back pain sufferers lifted weights without proper back support, back when you were a teenager? I know I did because I was a tough guy and didn't need that shit. I am pretty sure the damage I did back then has something to do with my present condition.
gh....lb
Posted by Lone Howl (Member # 29) on December 11, 2011, 10:42 AM:
LOL Randy, I did the same thing in the early 90's, played a lot of streetball type stuff, tried to dunk one day and hit the edge of the rim, falling flat on my arse. Rolled an ankle and jacked my back up a bit.
I officially retired from basketball after that.
Mark
[ December 11, 2011, 10:43 AM: Message edited by: Lone Howl ]
Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on December 11, 2011, 11:06 AM:
I did mine on roller blades don't ask! While My back is fine and has never been hurt in a bad way.I once had a sore back for a few days,and all I was doing was takeing a plate of chicken out to put on the girll.I just had to walk around like I was 90 years old for a few days is all.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 11, 2011, 11:37 AM:
It's just amazing! Lonny makes a post, and five minutes later, here comes Lone Howl, who never has anything to say, any other time. I think he's a STALKER? Be careful, Lonny.
gh....lb
Posted by Patterson (Member # 3304) on December 12, 2011, 09:20 AM:
I feel for you guys that are having back issues and it scares me a little.
I am probably still young in many of your eyes (just turned 30) but 6-7 years ago I was shoveling snow in Colorado as a side job at night. We had a good and fairly wet 1.5 ft of snow one night. Long story short about 3 hours into it I had to be helped into the truck after doing something to my back. I was on a couch for a week unable to do much, even getting to the shower was horrible. I never knew how important and how painful back injuries were until then. Luckily I was still young and recovery was somewhat quick.
3-4 months of a sore painful back and then 3-4 years of aggrevating it and more pain. A few years ago I started working out a lot. Lifting and getting plenty of cardio. At first it was painful I had some issues with my back. But after 3-4 weeks I started to feel fine. Since then I have had NO issues with my back. Strengthening those back muscles has done wonders for my issue. Now granted im not lifting tons of weight or anything macho like that. Just lifting to keep in shape.
Looking back on my back problem I am sure it was just a lower back muscle issue I had and not any disk or spinal issues (i hope). So for now working out is what im sure has helped. Im a little worried further on down the road when my give a damn is busted and I stop working out that my problem may come back even worse.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 12, 2011, 10:47 AM:
The phenomenon is called aging, little bit of this, little bit of that and before you know it, you have gotten old. It's not for sissies.
gh....lb
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on December 12, 2011, 01:45 PM:
Dave,
I use a similar back zapper occasionally. I think it helps too if I crank it way up. However, I think it might just be causing a different kind of pain to take my mind off the original pain. In that regard it feels good while using it. I do find a good stretch afterward helpful too.
Another old fashioned but great help when then the pain is muscular is a hot bath and here's the key...a half bag of epsom salts. That is a wonderful night and day difference and a great trick to throw into your arsenal. Doesn't work so great for disk probs. and sciatica but those issues usually cause deferred muscle probs. Try the salt man!
Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on December 12, 2011, 01:56 PM:
YEP Loco the salt is some good stuff.. I use it for ankle injuries and my dad use to soak his hands and wrists in it after work....
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on December 12, 2011, 02:20 PM:
It's a great fertilizer.
gh....lb
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