All,

Mom has spinal stenosis and is suffering (she is 74 years old). The nerve root passing through the L4-L5 gap is being pinched.

She has found relief from an x-ray guided injection near her spinal column about 3 weeks back. This took her pain from a constant "8" down to a "2".

She has been attending PT now for a couple of weeks and is having positive results using ultrasound and TENS therapy following the PT. The therapist has recommended getting a home unit for use on off days. No one, not the PT folks or her doctor, will make a recommendation as to a manufacturer, brand or model of a good, reliable, and safe unit.

I am asking for your help and some recommendations if you have any knowledge of TENS units.

Thanks in advance.

I have an inexpensive one that's worked well for my wife & me. I'll check the brand when I get home.

Appreciate it vinny...

I have an Omron unit I bought in Japan, both AC and DC operated that I've been happy with in terms of function and reliability. Lots of modes including heat.

Order spare gel pads with the unit.

I would check a variety of online retailers. And not just Amazon but Amazon Japan (and retailers who will ship to the US).

I have had severe knee injuries which sometime result in a painful back. An inexpensive battery operated TENS had helped with all of the above.

We have had a Medtronic 7721 Tens Unit since the 90's, so I doubt that they are available yet. We also have an Interferental unit (Care Rehab IFC Sport), and also an Alpha-Stim unit. They are all different--you might want to google the differences, or talk with the PT about the differences. We are happy with all of them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Reedman,

My wife purchased an iReliev brand and has been very happy with it. We probably don't use it enough because it really does work for muscle and nerve pains.

It looks like several variants are available on Amazon. As Konata88 mentioned, get spare gel pads.

Good luck with your mom.

All,

Thank you very much. It looks like the we are going to go with something that is available now with a rechargeable battery or power cord versus alkaline batteries. That knocks out the Omron.

Also, Medtronics only appear to be selling implantable TENS units now.

So... It looks like something from Amazon. It appears everyone manufacturers these things in Chy-na regardless of name that appears on them.

The one I have is a MAXTENS 2000. It uses a 9v battery.

I bought the Tens 7000 from Amazon about 3 years ago. Have used it exclusively on my back when it acts up. Has worked flawlessly. Runs on a 9v and I can get a decent amount of run time from 1 battery.

I'm using NeuroMed. Pricey but has remote and wide range of intensity

So many of them to choose. I just chose a generic on from Amazon several years ago and have been happy with it. God Bless !!!

Here's a review site:
https://www.thegoodbody.com/wh...-the-best-tens-unit/

All... thank you very much. This has been helpful and I appreciate it.

My wife has 2, the StimRX-8000 is a plug in or battery powered unit. It is for home/clinic use and is fairly large, heavy duty. Fairly easy to use as it has large dials so it should be easy for her to use. Once it's on you pretty much have to be stationary as it is a large unit.

For portable use she has a Palm NRG. She is VERY happy with the performance for it's size. It is about the size of an iPod Nano. Buttons are small but easy to press. Small screen may be hard to read settings if you have poor eyesight. A charge lasts a really long time which my wife really appreciates.

As already mentioned, buy extra pads.

I'm leaning towards this inexpensive unit after doing a LOT of research:
AUVON Dual Channel TENS Unit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D58V8LD/

Just waiting to hear back from my doc that a TENS is okay for me to use given my medical condition. Want to try one for lower back pain.

The TENS 7000 is an updated version of what I was given some years ago.

Don't let the fact that it runs on a battery fool you - the amount of charge in that battery will keep you going for quite a long time - you also don't have to worry about being in one place as you would with a plug-in model.

Of course, if you're a Spinal Tap fan, you'll need an ELEVEN unit.

I use an Omron, it works great.
BG

I have a TENS 6000 from EMSI, it was prescribed for shoulder pain years ago, although I’ve used it for back pain as well. It is 9v battery powered, portable and the pain relief lasts for the duration of the treatment, about 15 minutes, and for 20-30 minutes afterwards.

Got the AUVON and have have found it quite satisfactory.

As an aside, the reason I didn't opt for the TENS 7000 was simply bad past experience with 9V battery terminals / posts breaking too easily on any number of battery powered gizmos. I liked what this model had to offer but the 9V was a deal killer for me.