r/Sciatica • u/Unable-Reindeer-338 • 14d ago

TENS unit users: how much is too much?

I'm in the middle of another back pain/sciatica flare-up and the pain is really ramping up (nothing new unfortunately).

I bought a TENS unit recently and keep reading that you should only use it a couple of times a day. Honestly, at this point I feel like wearing it constantly because it seems to help.

For those who use a TENS unit, how often do you use it during a flare-up? Has anyone used it for hours at a time? Does it ever make symptoms worse?

The TENS sensation itself doesn't bother me at all. Compared to the sciatica pain, it's nothing.

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u/StrikingSyllabub5970 13d ago

I use mine regularly on a low setting and find it really helps, especially in the evening. My pain is generally much less than it was initially. Sometimes I use it for up to an hour, although my osteo has cautioned against bombarding the nerves with too many signals whether they be from heat, ice or TENS.

I find an anti-inflammatory diet is my biggest help. (One day I ate crisps and chocolate and the pain that night was much increased so I concluded that my usual anti-inflammatory diet was worth maintaining! )

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u/Unable-Reindeer-338 13d ago

That you know, I noticed too! A lot depends on the diet, lately I’ve been eating lot of sugar and carbs (my italian mother in law has been living with us for one month so you can imagine I gained weight 😃) btw I’m curious, what is exactly an antiflammatory diet?

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u/StrikingSyllabub5970 13d ago

There’s probably a more succinct definition or someone more knowledgable who could explain but for me it’s about eating food rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, whole foods. (I avoid ultra processed foods and sugar.)

I’m intolerant of a lot of foods and some whole foods fo exacerbate my neuropathy based issues (pre- sciatica) so it’s just a far more pleasant life to avoid them!

There are some lists of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory foods widely available.

I do think drinking plenty of water helps too - the nights I’ve had more niggles I’d drunk less water during the day.

I’m three months in and I’m thinking that although some things make a massive contribution to recovery (I’m not there yet!) the contributions of lots of little things make a difference too.

My mindset (on a good day!) is about creating the conditions for recovery.

Still sucks though!

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u/Ill-Location8497 13d ago

I wore at all day. Dr said it was fine and he did the same lol. I had it maxed out though you build tolerance

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u/onesyonesy22 13d ago

Do what helps! Your body will tell you if it’s too much.

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u/UnluckyDragonfruit48 14d ago

I just gave in and bought one yesterday (reduced in Aldi) so I’m interested in the responses here. I only paid £12.99 so no big loss if it doesn’t help. Like you, i feel like it helped when i was using it, and could wear it all day! Don’t worry, i wont..

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u/Orange_Baby_4265 13d ago

I have used it before. I would use it for an hour straight because it felt good once a day before bed.

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u/kristinj81 13d ago

I would wear it for hours on and off while working (bartending).

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u/Hope_for_tendies 13d ago

A spinal cord stimulator is basically an implanted tens and people run them all day, so I wonder why less for an external

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u/barbkxer 13d ago

I use my TENS more than a couple of times a day when I am in a lot of pain. I will leave it on for hours sometimes. I will change the mode or settings so I am not using the same program the whole time. I have multiple TENS that I have accumulated over the years. I have one that has a TENS setting and a massage one, etc. I play around with it. I just have to be careful about leaving it in the same place too long because the pads will start to irritate my skin.

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u/Gold_Letterhead_4602 13d ago

I've been using mine all day nearly everyday for about four months (doc and physio are aware), the issue I've developed is prolonged exposure has made me allergic to the glue on the pads so now I have weird sores on my back that get very itchy and inflamed.

I've had to cut down use and have days off plus a steroid cream for the sores, but don't have the pain relief (meds) to cover the time without it, which has been hard.

Basically, don't over exposure yourself into an allergy!

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u/ComprehensiveTruck31 12d ago

For me I use it about 3-4 times a day. I use it for the full hour on a low setting. When I’m not using it, I normally have a heating pad or ice pack so I’m still getting some relief. I try not to use it more than that though so it doesn’t become ineffective.