best way to use tens machine

purple_socks · Jun 29th, 2009, 08:27 AM

i was wondering if anyone had any tipes/ new any sites which told u how to get the best out of ur tens. i know the earlier u start using it the better but does it work better to use low setting and build up or use a higher setting earlier to produce more endorphines? does it matter if u put the pads in a slightly different place on ur back by mistake...etc etc

Kitten · Jun 29th, 2009, 08:47 AM

I'm wondering the same. I borrowed mine so don't have instructions. All they said at antenatal was start early as possible and build up intensity.

kimfrye661 · Jun 29th, 2009, 12:21 PM

What does a tens machine do? I know you use it during labor right?

purple_socks · Jun 29th, 2009, 16:21 PM

its a natural pain killer...it sends little electronic pulses that block pain receptors in ur brain, it helps u produce and build endorphins and gives u something to take ur mind off contractions.

Saxogirl · Jun 29th, 2009, 17:51 PM

Hey!

I hired one and was told when I collected it to build up the numbers (ie start at 1 etc) the stronger the contractions the more power you would want.

Get OH or birth partner etc to put the pads on as don't think is as effective if they're in the wrong place

The m/w who recommended it to me said that it's just something else to use to take your mind off the pain/help through contractions once you're sick of just gettin in and out of bath and or back rubs etc!

EDIT: Purple Socks - did you decide whether to have a home birth?

marley2580 · Jun 29th, 2009, 18:11 PM

Start early - as soon as you're sure you're in labour and build up the intensity - I found though that I didn't build it up much, it never got higher than about a 5 or 6.

impatient1 · Jun 29th, 2009, 21:35 PM

I used to use one for my knee and was taught how to use it by my physiotherapist... You can find the best places to put it by using 2 bottle caps, with little damp sponges in them and the cords in side, where you feel the most intensity when rubbing it across the area that is where it should be placed. Red wires always go on top and black on bottom and the wires should criss cross... ie if the red wire is on the top left then put the black wire connected on the bottom right. Start out low and work your way up, depending on how well the batteries are will also determine how high you need it (I usually had it at about 5/6 when batteries were working well). I don't know for labour but I was told to go through the settings and find the one that worked best for me, I believe it was MRW (a mixture kind of). If you have any questions I have instructions and know a fair bit about them, just send me a PM.

Jun 29th, 2009, 08:27 AM	#1
purple_socks Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,978	best way to use tens machine i was wondering if anyone had any tipes/ new any sites which told u how to get the best out of ur tens. i know the earlier u start using it the better but does it work better to use low setting and build up or use a higher setting earlier to produce more endorphines? does it matter if u put the pads in a slightly different place on ur back by mistake...etc etc

Status: Offline

Jun 29th, 2009, 08:47 AM	#2
Kitten Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Crawley, England Posts: 6,343	I'm wondering the same. I borrowed mine so don't have instructions. All they said at antenatal was start early as possible and build up intensity.

Status: Offline

Jun 29th, 2009, 12:21 PM	#3
kimfrye661 Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 781	What does a tens machine do? I know you use it during labor right?

Status: Offline

Jun 29th, 2009, 16:21 PM	#4
purple_socks Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,978	its a natural pain killer...it sends little electronic pulses that block pain receptors in ur brain, it helps u produce and build endorphins and gives u something to take ur mind off contractions.

Status: Offline

Jun 29th, 2009, 17:51 PM	#5
Saxogirl Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 1,025	Hey! I hired one and was told when I collected it to build up the numbers (ie start at 1 etc) the stronger the contractions the more power you would want. Get OH or birth partner etc to put the pads on as don't think is as effective if they're in the wrong place The m/w who recommended it to me said that it's just something else to use to take your mind off the pain/help through contractions once you're sick of just gettin in and out of bath and or back rubs etc! EDIT: Purple Socks - did you decide whether to have a home birth?

Status: Offline

Jun 29th, 2009, 18:11 PM	#6
marley2580 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Forfar Posts: 6,100	Start early - as soon as you're sure you're in labour and build up the intensity - I found though that I didn't build it up much, it never got higher than about a 5 or 6.

Status: Offline

Jun 29th, 2009, 21:35 PM	#7
impatient1 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 8,489	I used to use one for my knee and was taught how to use it by my physiotherapist... You can find the best places to put it by using 2 bottle caps, with little damp sponges in them and the cords in side, where you feel the most intensity when rubbing it across the area that is where it should be placed. Red wires always go on top and black on bottom and the wires should criss cross... ie if the red wire is on the top left then put the black wire connected on the bottom right. Start out low and work your way up, depending on how well the batteries are will also determine how high you need it (I usually had it at about 5/6 when batteries were working well). I don't know for labour but I was told to go through the settings and find the one that worked best for me, I believe it was MRW (a mixture kind of). If you have any questions I have instructions and know a fair bit about them, just send me a PM.

Status: Offline

Similar Threads
For those who r going to use TENS machines	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
OK to use Tens machine when not in labour?	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
Using tens machine	Pregnancy - Second Trimester
Starting to chart - best sites to use?	Trying To Conceive
Anyone used TENS machines?	General Chatter

User Name		Remember Me?
Password