PT and Tens

I have been going to PT twice a week for the past month for low back pain.  They use a tens unit for the first 15 minutes of my visit.  Feels great.  I told them at first visit that I have a pacemaker and am 100% paced.  They said it was fine but just today I started reading past posts from this site and find varying opinions on the subject.  Can anyone shed more light on this matter?  So far I have not noticed any signs of change in p/m performance.  Just want to be safe and sure. Thanks in advance.

4 Comments

TENS

by AgentX86 - 2022-12-03 21:44:26

I was told NO WAY on the torso.  You don't want a current path anywhere near the PM. Extremeties are fine because the current is limited to that limb. Even a BMI calculating scales aren't safe because they pass a small current from one foot to the other.

TENS and pacemaker

by benedeni - 2022-12-04 11:33:58

Thank you Agent X86 and Angry Sparrow for your suggestions and comments. 

A while back when I was having issues with fatigue and what turned out to be PMT's, my wonderful Cardiologist gave me her personal phone number and said to text her any questions of immediate concern.  Well, I just did and I asked her for the elusive TENS answer.  She responded back within 5 minutes with the following.  "It is ok as long as they don't put the TENS unit on top of the device!"  So, for myself at least, I got my answer.  Certainly everyone is different so I would recommend checking with your personal EP or Cardiologist before allowing the use of a TENS.

As a side note and of possible use to others with ongoing fatigue who have explored So many avenues of possibilities..  I always thought my fatigue was somehow related to my pacemaker, RR, etc.  Turns out my pvcs and tachycardia events which wiped me out were pmts (pacemaker mediated tachycardia).  Since my doctor had the p/m rep change my settings, I feel like a different person.  Best to all. 

😮😲

by Lavender - 2022-12-04 16:57:43

Shocked to hear that your cardiologist is that responsive and lets you text with questions!  Wowsers!! I'm jealous!  Lol

Lavender

by benedeni - 2022-12-04 17:13:51

Yes!!  I am very lucky indeed! And she has a very large practice as well. This is the first time I took her up on her gracious offer to use her personal cell number. 

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