Another approach to pain control: Electrotherapy and a Giveaway!

Over the past year (okay 2 years) I've written a lot on my journey through injury and now being smart. I've tried just about every method of injury management/treatment within my reach and when I was contacted to review a nonmedication pain control product I jumped at it!

Way in the past I had a foot injury (think high school past!) from years of dance and through my rehab TENS was one of the treatments but it has been years.

What is TENS?

  • TENS Technology: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) technology has been used by medical professionals such as physical therapists and chiropractors for more than 30 years

After a long run my calf and hip were tight and sore, as I sat writing part one of my thesis proposal I decided to give it a try. The pads were super easy to place and the unit was frazzled mom, grad student user friendly! In just a couple steps it was ready to go. I picked my intensity level (1-10) and method (settings for specific body parts or types of pressure).


I settled on intensity 4 and leg mode. about every 15-30 seconds the form of therapy changed for shorter bursts to deeper pressure and back. It was odd at first but I soon forgot I had it on. 15 minutes later the machine shut off and the pads easily came off, no sticky residue and the machine packed up easily. As I walked my calf felt less tight and when I later used on my hip I felt better after. It is small and easy to grab and go, I've used it a few times after a run while I waited to meet friends.

I have since used a few times to my hamstring/hip and it definitely decreased the pain level I had. It also helped to loosen the muscle. Matt also used it on his back and felt that it gave him some decrease in pain level too. Have you used a TENS unit? What did you think?

I'm excited to have another tool to add to my pile of running injury tools! Now off to see the chiro for Graston and acupuncture.

Guess what?! Omron is also giving a Pro TENS unit to one of my readers...

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*I was given the product for review and giveaway but all opinions are my own. Please check with medical provider before using a TENS unit.

Comments

  1. EBOctober 1, 2014 at 9:33 AM

    In college I used stim and it was really helpful, but I haven't had access since then. I currently use stretching, rolling, and icing as needed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownOctober 1, 2014 at 10:16 AM

    I am lucky I've not yet had a running injury. Knock wood! I have used a tens unit before though and think it would be super helpful for post run recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Runaway Bridal PlannerOctober 1, 2014 at 12:26 PM

    The question should be which methods have I not tried, LOL. Actually with several specialists and PT, I have done a little bit of it all. I even did a similar treatment to TENS, except the PT charged $150 each time:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Katie BOctober 1, 2014 at 9:09 PM

    I've only used rest, compression, and foam rolling to treat injuries.

    ReplyDelete
  5. HeatherOctober 1, 2014 at 10:43 PM

    RICE...but it doesn't heal fast enough!

    ReplyDelete
  6. TamiOctober 2, 2014 at 1:13 AM

    I've gone to a sports PT so he could work on my knees. Worked well but this would be much cheaper!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mindy BobeOctober 2, 2014 at 8:20 AM

    I LOVE Tens!!! My chiropractor uses it. I also love ART!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AmyCOctober 3, 2014 at 8:14 AM

    I have been going to PT for ART sessions on different parts of my legs for more than a year now (off & on). I've used ice, compression, heating pads. I have a feeling TENS is just what I need!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. EndureRunConquerOctober 3, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    I recently had surgery and am 100% focused on recovery right now (what else can you do when you can't run?!?) Currently, I am focused on ice/CPM/PT and would love to be able to add TENS to my routine!

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownOctober 4, 2014 at 9:16 AM

    Foam roll and ice are my go-tos to stay injury free

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownOctober 7, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    I never ice (ice is evil for injury treatment!), but I do use dry needling, cupping, ART, etc

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A few Races...

Image
Stillwater half was my final pre-marathon race. The weather was a mess, hot humid and gross! I ran with the 1:40 pacer to keep a nice pace and actually held myself back the first haf but yikes then we turned to the road and no shade and it all faded! I struggled to keep the "easy" pace as did everyone around me. I was happy to finish just 45 secs behind the pacer 1:40:45 and not too far off my goal of 1:38. That heat was brutal... Photo credit Stillwater Gazette Grandmas Marathon  For those who don't follow me on IG  @marathonmom28  here is the short version... I started great, on pace to PR then I became hypothermic (yes in June) and once the rain started it was painful (thank you Raynaud's). I finally walked off the course between mile 19-20 where Matt met me with dry clothes and a warm car. Grandmas this is strike 3, I think I am done!  I spent the car ride home thinking of next races and wondering if I could jump back in, (dumb I know). As we drove...
Read more

GoMacro Thrive Review and Giveaway!

Image
All runners know that post marathon week(s) are filled with the fight to keep eating healthy yet indulge a little. I try to carry healthy snacks wherever I go to avoid the munchies. Needing gluten free makes finding healthy foods quick even tougher. I have my go to foods but love finding new options with such variety. I think my only complaint is the carb to protein ratio which for each bar is 3 or 4:1. I prefer a snack more along the 2:1 carb to protein ratio. To help this I add a few extra nuts to the bars when I have them for a snack, problem solved! Like all GoMacro products, Thrive are USDA-Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, Gluten-Free certified, 100% Vegan, and soy-free. Thrive is currently available to purchase online and will become available to Whole Foods this month! GoMacro is offering 30% off to all my readers with code Thrive30 for online purchases Here The Thrive Bars come in 6 flavors: Caramel Coconut, Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip, Blueberry ...
Read more

Friday Thoughts: PB Cake & a Giveaway

Image
This post is going to match my mind lately as it races from thing to thing… I’m sitting here post-holiday craziness, on the verge of vacation and ready to go! Bell Plantation Peanut Butter Single Serve Cake (Gluten Free) 2 tbsp PB2 1 tsbp water 1 tbsp Almond milk 2 tbsp applesauce ½ tsp baking powder 2 tbsp coconut flour 1 tbsp raisins or choc chips Mix all together and microwave bowl and cook for 2 minutes. And guess what I got so excited after I mixed it up, I never even took a picture of my yummy creation! Any fun snacks you’ve been eating lately? So what else is going through my mind today…This weather sucks and I continue to stalk the forecast for Dopey! Guess what we get on Monday, -50 wind chills!! I thought last weekend was bad, yikes! I can’t wait to be in sun and warmth, I see people complaining about running in upper 70s but I figure I’m not racing so I plan to have fun, enjoy the weather and be happy being warm! Now on top of this we are ...
Read more