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Question
for chronic upper back pain, what would the "standard" settings on a tens unit be for the following:
pulse width (40-260)
pulse rate (2-120)
thanks
Ms. Rodriguez,
Unfortunately there are no "standard" setings for a tens unit. Every unit is different and will have its own parameters. For instance the units we provide to patients in our clinic for home usage can be set up in five seperate modes each having frequency ranges, duty cycles, pulse rate, and duration. This is the reason why you can adjust the pulse width and rate.
In addition, people respond differently to each setting due to individual differences in their physiology, pain tolerances, and nerve transmission. What you need to do is set the unit up and place the electrodes around the area of pain on the body. The unit should have positive and negative leads (wires). Usually the positive is red and the negative is black ... you want to place the red lead away from the heart, and the black lead closer to the heart. This is so your lymphatic system will also be stimulated correctly as well as using the unit for pain control. Making the wires cross over in an "x" pattern will also intensify the pain control.
Your unit is already set up to limit the width in the range of 40-260, and the rate from 2-120 pulses. This means that anywhere in between is okay, adjust those parameters to where you feel the most pain control. One point is that concerning chronic pain is is usually more beneficial to try to tolerate the higher settings. When set the machine should be slightly irritating to start, but remember it should not be uncomfortable - you want to control pain. The reason you want it slightly uncomfortable is because it works by creating a counter- irritant to the brain...this inhibits the brain from processing the pain signals from the body and therefore your don't feel them as much.
I hope this helps Petrina, just remember to monitor how your react to each of the settings you try and write it down. This way you will have a reference of what settings work the best for you.
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
Expertise
I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.
Experience
I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net
Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati
B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College
D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College
C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association
C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians.
*CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*
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