TENS unit for inflammation

Hi folks,

For quite a while I've heard about TENS units in conjunction with pain. Since I don't really have chronic pain, I never thought too much more about them.

Recently I've been having some Physical Therapy due to hip pain, which may or may not turn out to be bursitis. In the course of treatment, they've been using a TENS/ultrasound device on the area. When I asked about it, they said it reduces inflammation. (I expected them to say it was addressing pain.)

I have some additional questions:
1) Has anyone had success in reducing inflammation thru use of TENS?
2) Are all the brands about the same (except in different strengths)?
Or is one more highly regarded than the others?

I have chronic inflammation in an Achilles tendon, for which I use ice quite often. Might in interesting to see if TENS will drop the inflammation down more quickly. I'm also having some strange lower back issue -- feels like a huge knot right at the bast of my spine - maybe TENS would help resolve that?

Your thoughts appreciated, thanks in advance.

Lynnwood, my husband is hopefully on the downhill slope of a bout of hip bursitis. His internist suspected bursitis & sent him for an xray. The xray showed arthritis & a spur & he referred him to an ortho. The ortho had home health come out for about 3 weeks & they did some exercises. He had an injection in the hip as an OP at the hospital. The injection relief lasted 2 days! Finally, the ortho prescribed Meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory. This medicine has helped him more than anything to date. If your hip has not been xrayed I would ask for one.

I have had ultrasound & E-stim simultaneously over the years with my back. It was to reduce muscle spasms & pain. The knot you are describing could very well be a muscle spasm. Have you brought this to your dr's attention, if not perhaps you should.

There are many different types of TENS units on the market. Mine were all recommended by the physical therapist & insurance paid for it. There are inexpensive today, but I would want to trial the use of one before spending money. And it was to help reduce pain.

I hope you get to feeling better.

Lynnwood, are you getting any improvement in your symptoms at this point? How much longer do you have with PT? Here is something to consider, finish your PT, if you feel this treatment is working, then approach your dr about getting Medicare to purchase a unit for you. It would be worth a try. I never bought a unit, my insurance always paid for mine.

Something to consider.

It appears this thread has ran it's gambit & continuing it would not be useful. I will lock the thread, as there is useful information that has been provided.