Tens Units

TENS

by Harleen - 2017-01-07 03:21:47

I remember going to a Chiropractor once and they used the TENS System on me. I asked them a few times if that would be okay and they said yes. To be honest it didnt affect my ICD but a couple days later I ended up in the ER with a rhythm that was higher than it should have been. I never got shocked but If I were you I would avoid the risk.

Angy Sparrow is right about some people having thier cardiologists present. If I were you I would just go to a Chiropractor and specifically ask for them to work on your pain with thier hands only. 

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/PreventionTreatmentofArrhythmia/Devices-that-may-Interfere-with-Implantable-Cardioverter-Defibrillators-ICDs_UCM_448464_Article.jsp#.WHCVaWA-BAY 

TENS

by Grateful Heart - 2017-01-07 17:13:38

I am currently going to physical therapy for my hip.  Everyone there gets a TENS treatment after their workout.....except me.  They all say how much it helps them .....some bought their own for home use. 

If they are busy, I get relegated to the table at the end where there is no TENS machine.  I like having my own personal table.  :)

JMHO but I've had enough issues with my device so in my case, I wouldn't want to push it. Having your doc give it a try may be an option for you since he gave you the ok.  Let us know how it goes.

Grateful Heart   

TENS

by rxfxr@aol.com - 2017-01-07 17:37:45

My physical therapist and cardiologist both say absolutely not.

A different point of view

by Gotrhythm - 2017-01-10 12:59:40

Subsequent to a broken wrist I had an entrapped nerve in my arm/hand. I know that now but at the time, the ortho would look at it and just shake his head. I was in pain all the time and even I could see that I had lost muscle.

I decided to try a TENS unit. I bought it on the internet. I read the cautions re: PM, but decided to use it anyway. I reasoned thusly: At that time I used the PM only about 35%. Even if the TENS interferred, it wasn't likely to kill me. As an extra precaution I placed the electrodes only on my forearm and used the lowest current settings.

It did help the pain somewhat. Eventuatlly, after being looked at by several doctors who couldn't help, I went to a DO. He took one look at my hand and diagnosed trapped nerve. I had the surgery (different ortho!) and recovered completely. 

I haven't used the TENS since, but if I thought it would help some condition, and if the placement was away from the chest, front or back, I probably would.  From my experience, the electrical signal simply doen't pass through the body far at all. You only feel it in the muscles it is directly over.

Not suggesting anyone else should do as I did, but, for what it's worth, I thought I would share my experience.

Thanks

by Xxmikexx - 2017-01-10 19:39:07

Thanks for the words of wisdom.  I suppose I should have mentioned I have type three heart block and I'm only using the PM about 1% of the day in both chambers.-- I'm not dependent upon constant therapy from my PM by any stretch of that idea...  That's one of.the reasons the doc and I talked about tens.  He claims he has many patients using them on lower body parts without issue.  So it looks like I'll do a test run with a tens at my next PM check and see where is goes.  Thanks all.