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Best TENS units for lower back pain?

Started by Alexander Hall43 · · 👁 3 views · 17 replies

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Participants Alexander Hall43Douglas FowlerAnthony Flores24Matthew Fox4
Alexander Hall43 Alexander Hall43 MemberOP
28 messages
joined Jan 2010
#1 ·
I’ve been dealing with some pretty nagging issues in my lower back—specifically around the L4 L5 area—for quite a while now.
I finally picked up an electrostimulator, so I was wondering if anyone here has used one before? I'm trying to figure out the best routine—like, how many days in a row should I be using it, and how long of a break should I take afterward? Usually, when I see my physical therapist, they suggest a regimen of two weeks on and then taking the weekends off—so skipping Saturday and Sunday.
I have a decent idea of where the electrodes are supposed to go, but I'm a little nervous—could I actually make things worse if I don't place them perfectly?
If anyone has gone through this or has some experience to share, I’d really appreciate the insight. Thanks so much!
Alexander Hall43 Alexander Hall43 MemberOP
28 messages
joined Jan 2010
#2 ·
Alexander Hall43 said:I’ve been dealing with some pretty nagging issues in my lower back—specifically around the L4 L5 area—for quite a while now.
I finally picked up an electrostimulator, so I was wondering if anyone here has used one before? I'm trying to figure out the best routine—like, how many days in a row should I be using it, and how long of a break should I take afterward? Usually, when I see my physical therapist, they suggest a regimen of two weeks on and then taking the weekends off—so skipping Saturday and Sunday.
I have a decent idea of where the electrodes are supposed to go, but I'm a little nervous—could I actually make things worse if I don't place them perfectly?
If anyone has gone through this or has some experience to share, I’d really appreciate the insight. Thanks so much!

Bump. Seriously, does nobody have any advice to share?😛
Douglas Fowler Douglas Fowler Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2008
#3 ·
Alexander Hall43 said:I’ve been dealing with some pretty nagging issues in my lower back—specifically around the L4 L5 area—for quite a while now.
I finally picked up an electrostimulator, so I was wondering if anyone here has used one before? I'm trying to figure out the best routine—like, how many days in a row should I be using it, and how long of a break should I take afterward? Usually, when I see my physical therapist, they suggest a regimen of two weeks on and then taking the weekends off—so skipping Saturday and Sunday.
I have a decent idea of where the electrodes are supposed to go, but I'm a little nervous—could I actually make things worse if I don't place them perfectly?
If anyone has gone through this or has some experience to share, I’d really appreciate the insight. Thanks so much!

Hmm, I'm not entirely sure—are you talking about TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) or some other little device?

If it's TENS, you can use it as much as you want, though it has its quirks. For instance, if you try using it while moving around, the voltage between the pads keeps shifting—so sometimes it’s too painful, other times it's just not enough, and so on. Basically, as long as you're staying still in a fixed position, it works...

I deal with major spinal issues myself—my back is quite curved (it's much better than it used to be, but still there, and maybe the pain comes from trying to straighten it)—so I've tried TENS too. It didn't really do much for me. I mean, it felt better while I was actually using it, but once I stopped, there wasn't any lasting benefit. Of course, it might work differently for you.

One thing I've noticed, though, is that it doesn't hurt while I'm exercising, and the relief lasts after the workout. Plus, walking hurts less—it's mostly when I'm lying down that it hits me. Also, Bioptron (which is outrageously expensive since it's a Zepter product, but effective for various pains and proven—at least for me—to help tissue recovery) can actually help reduce the discomfort.

Beyond that, certain postures really help my lower back pain. You should give them a try, though it’s a bit awkward around people... because sometimes I have to get into these truly strange poses—they look pretty ridiculous to others—just to ease the pain...
Alexander Hall43 Alexander Hall43 MemberOP
28 messages
joined Jan 2010
#4 ·
Douglas Fowler;17051736 said:Hmm, I'm not entirely sure now—are you talking about a TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) or some other little device?

Yeah, it’s definitely TENS. So, that means I can just use it constantly, right?
Douglas Fowler Douglas Fowler Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2008
#5 ·
Alexander Hall43 said:It's TENS—so I can basically use it all the time...

Like I mentioned before, theoretically you could use it constantly—but in reality, it’s hard to keep it going because the resistance between the electrodes shifts whenever you move. It ends up being too intense one second and then way too weak the next...

But if you're just sitting still, then yeah—you set the intensity and there aren't really any major time limits (though most devices run on programs that last about an hour or so)
Alexander Hall43 Alexander Hall43 MemberOP
28 messages
joined Jan 2010
#6 ·
Douglas Fowler;17060535 said:Like I mentioned before, you should technically use it constantly—though in reality, that’s pretty tough to pull off since the resistance between the electrodes keeps shifting whenever you move around. One second it’s hitting too hard, and the next, it feels way too weak.

I mean, let’s be real, I don't exactly plan on wearing this thing 24/7! 😁
I’ve been using it for about 15 minutes every single day, so I was just wondering if I should build in a little break—maybe after running it for 20 or 30 days straight?
Anthony Flores24 Anthony Flores24 Newcomer
7 messages
joined Dec 2008
#7 ·
Douglas Fowler, could you give me the lowdown on this Bioptron thing you mentioned? Does it actually do anything for joint pain?
Douglas Fowler Douglas Fowler Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2008
#8 ·
Alexander Hall43 said:But honestly—I don't mean wearing it around 24/7... 😁
I've been using this for about 15 minutes every day—just curious if I should build in a break, maybe after 20 or 30 days of use...

And what do I really know about what it means to you... 🙂 To me, "constantly" really does mean constantly... 🙂

Honestly, I'm not sure—I didn't see anything in my instructions about taking breaks, like a week off or anything similar... Besides, since my device can also be used for muscle training—though those are higher intensities and lower frequencies (it really should specify that TENS uses higher frequencies in the manual)—you’d definitely need to take rest days when doing muscle work, just like you would with actual weightlifting...

Look, if it’s hurting you, but using it actually brings some relief—then just go for it. Pain itself is what does the damage... You might also want to try seeing a chiropractor; they can really help quite a bit, assuming you're open to that kind of thing. I've had pretty good experiences myself—even though my spine is still pretty crooked—but it seems to be straightening out slowly...
Douglas Fowler Douglas Fowler Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2008
#9 ·
Anthony Flores24 said:Douglas Fowler, could you give me the lowdown on this Bioptron thing you mentioned? Does it actually do anything for joint pain?

Bioptron is a product from Zepter. It’s essentially "healing light." Unlike lasers, where all the light beams are synchronized and in phase, the Bioptron uses light across the entire spectrum and in all phases... You could say the device simulates sunlight, just without those harmful UV rays removed.

It works much like sunlight does—and personally, I've felt real relief from my own pains and seen faster tissue recovery. They even claim it speeds up healing for surgical incisions and all sorts of other issues, though I haven't dealt with those myself.

In short, whenever I have physical pain—like right now, besides my lower back, my shoulder is acting up too—I use it, and I notice the recovery is faster and the pain is less intense.

Now, since it's a Zepter product, it’s quite expensive, even if it works. From what I understand, Medicare recognizes it as an approved therapy, so I think I saw it being used in some clinics or outpatient centers on TV...

Check the Zepter website for the specifics and pricing. And yeah, it definitely is overpriced.
Anthony Flores24 Anthony Flores24 Newcomer
7 messages
joined Dec 2008
#10 ·
Douglas Fowler, thanks for getting back to me! So, I actually picked up one of those Vitafon devices this year—it’s based on vibration therapy, which supposedly works because
micro-vibrations are present in every living organism, at least according to the theory. I’m feeling a tiny bit better already, though I'm guessing it'll take a lot more time before I see any real, tangible results.
Since we don't exactly have a magic bullet for effective therapy readily available, I find myself turning to things like natural sound frequencies and light. Maybe they can help, but it makes you wonder: are these things actually leading us toward
full recovery, or are they just making the daily grind a little easier to handle?
Douglas Fowler Douglas Fowler Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2008
#11 ·
Anthony Flores24 said:Douglas Fowler, thanks for getting back to me! So, I actually picked up one of those Vitafon devices this year—it’s based on vibration therapy, which supposedly works because
micro-vibrations are present in every living organism, at least according to the theory. I’m feeling a tiny bit better already, though I'm guessing it'll take a lot more time before I see any real, tangible results.
Since we don't exactly have a magic bullet for effective therapy readily available, I find myself turning to things like natural sound frequencies and light. Maybe they can help, but it makes you wonder: are these things actually leading us toward
full recovery, or are they just making the daily grind a little easier to handle?

I know what the Vitafon is—a Russian product—and I actually went back and forth on whether I should buy one myself. In the end, I decided against it...

It really depends on what the issue is. My own lower back pain comes from a severely curved spine—which I’ve been trying to straighten out slowly (I didn't even realize you could fix a spine without surgery, which is something I'd rather avoid)—and because of that, I can say that while the pain hasn't vanished, the intensity is lower, it doesn't last as long, and generally, I feel better.

I’d suggest seeing a chiropractor, doing some spinal alignment exercises, and working on strengthening those lower back muscles...

Poor circulation is the root cause behind almost all lower back pain. For instance, after I work out, my back doesn't hurt—blood flows to the muscles, circulation improves, and so on.

Of course, I’d need to know more about the specific situation to be sure.

The Vitafon is supposed to work by boosting circulation, but I honestly don't know how effective it really is...
Anthony Flores24 Anthony Flores24 Newcomer
7 messages
joined Dec 2008
#12 ·
It hasn't done much for me so far. This past summer, I actually went to see Bolkovac—I’m pretty sure he’s the most famous chiropractor in the US. When he gets his hands on you,
you’ll be screaming your head off, but honestly, the guy doesn't even blink; he's used to it by now. He usually sorts everything out on the first visit, though in tougher cases, he might call you back a couple more times. That was my situation. If he can't fix it within three sessions, he won't take you back because, in his mind, there's no
prospect of success. The only thing he did tell me was that my situation isn't quite at the "surgery" stage yet, and he couldn't really offer any other advice beyond what I asked
about things like hot springs, acupuncture, or yoga. He was dead set on saying none of it would help. I wasn't entirely convinced, so I went ahead and tried acupuncture anyway, and
I've been doing some light yoga every day and using my Vitafon, too. But, it looks like the veteran Bolkovac was right after all!
Douglas Fowler Douglas Fowler Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2008
#13 ·
Anthony Flores24 said:It hasn't done much for me so far. This past summer, I actually went to see Bolkovac—I’m pretty sure he’s the most famous chiropractor in the US. When he gets his hands on you,
you’ll be screaming your head off, but honestly, the guy doesn't even blink; he's used to it by now. He usually sorts everything out on the first visit, though in tougher cases, he might call you back a couple more times. That was my situation. If he can't fix it within three sessions, he won't take you back because, in his mind, there's no
prospect of success. The only thing he did tell me was that my situation isn't quite at the "surgery" stage yet, and he couldn't really offer any other advice beyond what I asked
about things like hot springs, acupuncture, or yoga. He was dead set on saying none of it would help. I wasn't entirely convinced, so I went ahead and tried acupuncture anyway, and
I've been doing some light yoga every day and using my Vitafon, too. But, it looks like the veteran Bolkovac was right after all!

Well, I wouldn't say that. It's definitely possible he can't help, but that doesn't mean there isn't a solution out there. You really need to get opinions from a few different people—it's like going to one store and they don't have what you need, so you just try another one. 🙂

So, don't lose hope and just check out a few places. Besides, trying to fix a spine all at once feels a bit rushed to me. Something can certainly be improved, but I'd personally keep looking...

I used to think my spine was beyond fixing, too. It’s still not exactly where it should be, but I am seeing progress. From what I've learned, it's a long process... I'm always a little skeptical of those types who claim they can fix everything in one go.
Anthony Flores24 Anthony Flores24 Newcomer
7 messages
joined Dec 2008
#14 ·
Thanks for the pep talk—I’m right there with you on that one! I know this guy has seen it all and knows his stuff inside and out, but hey, miracles happen when you least expect them. You just have to stay gritty and keep fighting the good fight.
I haven't lost hope that I'll be walking around normally again someday, and honestly, I'm pulling for you to get back on your feet too!
Douglas Fowler Douglas Fowler Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2008
#15 ·
Anthony Flores24 said:Thanks for the pep talk—I’m right there with you on that one! I know this guy has seen it all and knows his stuff inside and out, but hey, miracles happen when you least expect them. You just have to stay gritty and keep fighting the good fight.
I haven't lost hope that I'll be walking around normally again someday, and honestly, I'm pulling for you to get back on your feet too!

For instance, I honestly thought my spine was beyond fixing. I actually had a hunch—not like a literal hump, but enough to notice.

Then, I finally got some help—and it wasn't just about physical adjustments. It was more about getting the mindset that my spine *could* actually be straightened out.

It isn't perfectly straight yet—when I slouch (bad posture was the root cause of the misalignment, but it got to the point where I couldn't even stand up straight), it’s pretty obvious. But now, I can actually pull myself upright, and even if it's not perfect, the difference is huge.

Most importantly, I know now that progress is still possible. I'm working on it. I'm slowly figuring out the right exercises and how to realign everything... it’s not an overnight thing. It’s a process—months and years go by—but the progress is there, and people can see it. Knowing you can actually *do* something is what matters most. If you believe—and I really do—that nothing can be done, then you won't do anything at all...
Matthew Fox4 Matthew Fox4 Member
42 messages
joined Oct 2011
#16 ·
Douglas Fowler, hey, would you mind sharing which chiropractor you go to see for those spinal adjustments? I was going to shoot you a private message about it, but I figured a few other people here might be wondering the same thing. Thanks!
Anthony Flores24 Anthony Flores24 Newcomer
7 messages
joined Dec 2008
#17 ·
Look, let's be real: dealing with chronic back issues is basically a lifelong sentence. You need an infinite amount of patience and nerves of steel because actual results? They can take
months, if you’re lucky—sometimes even years. I think anyone of us who's been stuck in this cycle knows the drill, which is why we don't hesitate to put in the work or spend the time required to
try and actually get better. At the end of the day, we're all just chasing that same dream everyone else has: living a life where we aren't constantly sidelined by pain or major medical procedures!
Douglas Fowler Douglas Fowler Member
10 messages
joined Oct 2008
#18 ·
Matthew Fox4 said:Douglas Fowler, hey, would you mind sharing which chiropractor you go to see for those spinal adjustments? I was going to shoot you a private message about it, but I figured a few other people here might be wondering the same thing. Thanks!

Well, I feel a bit awkward sharing his name since I'm not sure if I should be promoting him. He practices out in Sioux Falls and he’s truly selfless—you can tell he actually cares about people rather than just the paycheck. If anyone really needs his specific details, I’ll send them over in a private message.

Honestly, anyone in Sioux Falls who looks into alternative therapies probably already knows who I'm talking about... everyone I've mentioned him to seems to be in the loop without much explanation. So, if you're local, you likely know. But like I said, I'll keep the specifics to a private chat—I don't want to run an advertisement for someone without their permission. It's not that I'm avoiding the topic entirely, it's just... it's not about me.

Though, I have realized lately that you can actually work on spinal alignment yourself. To put it simply, I used certain yoga poses as a guide and modified them a bit—basically, you're just guiding the spine toward where it needs to be to stay straight... and it seems to work. It isn't an overnight fix, though—it takes some practice...

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