Tens pen ...

I haven’t used one but surely someone on here must have? I saw them in Lidl recently. I’d be interested to know if they are any good. My daughter used a Tens machine for endometriosis pain and found it helped.

I use a TENS machine and find it helpful. I have never heard of a TENS pen.

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Rrported

My mum had a tens pen.
It didn't work for her, but her problems were too bad by that time, I think.
That's not to say it wouldnt work on a specific pain for some people.
I'd give it a try for that money.

Do these "tens" things of various types work on back pain caused by arthritis? Just wondering.

I use my TENS machine for chronic back pain. I have spinal fractures and R.A.

Mine was bought from a medical supplier, I have no idea how effecient supermarket ones are.

Both DH and I have used the TENS pen we were recommended by a friend from Boots. We both found it to be an enormous relief for our aching backs, and other areas, like necks, shoulders etc. Definitely worth a try I would say.

My OH has just bought me a TENS machine to relieve arthritic pain in my neck, back and thumb joints. It is one with the sticky pads, and I will try it tonight. Most of the comments I’ve read on this and older threads have been positive, so I’m hoping for good results. Have any other GNs used one lately?

I have one for arthritis in my shoulder blades, I find it works for me

If you use a tens machine or pen does it only give pain relief whilst connected? I'm thinking if you watch TV (plugged in) and then go and do something, does the pain come back?

I’d like to think that it lasts after disconnection, but would need further information on this.

I have used both. The pen is of course, more portable, and its "tingle" very precisely sited. So it is less useful for more widespread pain. But if you have pain in a certain area, it is well worth a try.

I got one for my husband, not the pen, the Tens machine with the four sticky pads. He didn't find it useful (osteoarthritis, muscle aches, etc). He was not impressedat all. I tried it for varying problems and also was not impressed. Eventually we gave it to my sister in law and she thought it was helpful. I don't know if it was effective or if there was a placebo effect. Ours worked on batteries, so you could use it while moving around, with the "machine" clipped to a belt or clothing.

A few years back out chemist would let you borrow one for a few days but it didn't help me. I have osteoarthritis a d fibromyalgia. Of course everyone is different and what works for one doesn't for another. Good luck if you decide to buy one.x

I use a tens machine for pain, but I’ve never heard of a tens pen

I have severe osteoarthritis and have used a tens machine in the past. It did definitely numb the pain in both my hip and my knee (especially when I turned the machine up to high!) The pain relief wore off pretty quickly but I was grateful for any relief in the weeks before my hip replacement. I imagine I will be using the tens machine on my knee over the next few months as I am due to have a knee replacement next year. Anything is worth a try and I would recommend trying it.

Mollygo

I use a tens machine for pain, but I’ve never heard of a tens pen

Exactly this. I use my TENS machine for arthritic knees, and it works fairly well, but I don't know what a pen is.