Reddit reviews Easy@Home TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator - Electronic Pulse Massager, 510K Cleared, FSA Eligible OTC Home Use handheld Pain Relief therapy Device - Pain Management Machine - EHE009

I bought the Easy @ Home TENS from amazon, here’s a link: Easy@Home TENS

I’m sure there are probably better ones out there but this did the trick for me!

Best of luck with your second home birth!! 😊

If I could butt in, I've been looking for a unit that I could use while working/moving, but my current cheap one doesn't seem to be designed for this. The wires are long and get snagged on furniture and disconnect, and the pads wear out after a few sessions, it's not something I could use for 4-5 hours in the day.

This is the one I've been using https://www.amazon.ca/Easy-Home-Handheld-Electronic-Massager/dp/B00O9P2VLI

It's competent but somewhat bulky and not durable, the connector isn't solid anymore after a few months use

editted - added drugs and correct title for physiotherapist

tldr;

- McKenzie Technique ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clfpWjqVP6U )

- dead hang from pull up bar until your hands get blisters or callouses

- sleep face down - make that work

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Long Version

Exactly same here - herniated L4/L5.

I injured mine four months ago (to the day). Will try to give you a sense of the severity/symptoms:

Probably going to hate myself one day when someone dox'es me with this information - but if this helps anyone to heal even one day quicker - it will be worth it. When I first injured it (while working out) - I could not sit or even lie on my back. There was a noticeable bulge/protrusion from my back (I have a pic) - but essentially a three inch in diameter circle that protruded outwards about an inch. More than once I couldn't walk (even just a few feet to get to the bathroom). I've never experienced pain like this before - I've read of women who've given birth saying their symptoms were worse than child birth.

I messed up a couple of things when I first injured it - which slowed my recovery:

1. I laid in bed for two consecutive days - only rising to eat or use the bathroom
   
2. I didn't stretch
   
   I believe I could've healed in half the time - had I made better use of my time when I first injured it. I'll share my tips for recovery (even though I'm not sure if that is what you're asking):
   
   First and possibly most importantly - see as many different physical therapists (chiro's, physical therapists, osteopaths, etc) you can access. I saw both a couple of chiro's and then lucked onto a physiotherapist that specialized in spinal injuries (he always at least does some IMS during each of my sessions - it sucks) - who I still see every week (I have coverage - so the money has been available).
   
   I _think_ I was back in the pool after four or five days. Getting to/from the pool, getting in and out - even taking off my swimsuit was very difficult - the embarrassment/humiliation of people approaching me was rough. I swam every day for about two months. Then after about two months I did my first weight lifting routine.
   
   About a week and a half after I first injured myself (working out) - I discovered the McKenzie technique - I used/watched this video for guidance:
   
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clfpWjqVP6U
   
   It's funny/odd to watch it again today - it's been a long time. Prior to my injury I always slept on my side - but after the injury If my knees weren't pointing exactly down towards the ground - intense pain. I managed to find a way to sleep face down by positioning my face on the edge of the pillow (which allowed me to breathe). For the first month or so I had to get up about every hour or two to perform the McKenzie technique or hang from my stairwell (as I didn't have a pull up bar at that time). After about a month - I was able to get three consecutive hours of sleep.
   
   I tried a couple of different over the counter drugs (Tylenol and alleve) usually at night because I wasn't really sleeping - but I don't recall a noticeable improvement when I took them.
   
   During the day - hanging from pull-up bars until my forearms burned and my hands couldn't hold any longer (multiple sets of that). My palms (and the skin on the opposite side of my knuckles) got tore up until they bled. So I dunno... maybe wear gloves or wraps.
   
   I used (and still use to this day) a cheap TENS machine twice daily for anywhere from 20 - 200 minutes depending on my schedule - something like this guy:https://www.amazon.ca/Easy-Home-Handheld-Electronic-Massager/dp/B00O9P2VLI/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=tens+machine&qid=1571797244&sr=8-5
   
   I crank it to max and it feels terrible.
   
   Approximately two weeks ago - I returned to my routine of yoga and pilates and recovery continues. My flexibility is starting to return - I'm very far from where I was - but I'm trying to take it slow. Today - I'm able to sit for eight hours (even though I try not to).
   
   My physio has given me more exercises than I can list - but here are three that come immediately to mind:
   
   
3. planks
   
4. pelvic thrusts
   
5. not sure how to describe this one - but essentially this: https://endurancefilms.com/video/8249/pf-half-kneeling-lift/?PLID=8578
   
   I still get flare ups of sciatica down my left leg - but at the risk of jinxing it - I feel a lot better and hope I will become confident enough to return to triathlons. I've completed an ironman (4k swim, 180k bike, 42k run) - doubt I'll ever do one again - but I'd be happy with an Olympic at this point.
   
   :)
   
   Note of caution: Be vigilant! From most of the reading I've done - the vast majority suggest that once you've herniated your disc(s) - you're more prone to it (than others). I think of it like an alcoholic or a drug addict (or gambler if you prefer) - even if you haven't had a drink or harmful/recreational drug in a year - you'll always be an addict - so don't ever let down your guard. In other words - once we're fully healed - that bulge will be just waiting for a chance to slip out again.

Yeah I mostly use it when having an attack but I try to use it once a day for 15 min regardless. It has definitely helped a lot. Not a cure but helped my situation.

Also, I may be upgrading to a better more expensive dr hos one (because it’s worked for me) but give this one a shot and let me know what happens. Good luck!

Easy@Home EHE009 TENS Handheld Electronic Pulse Massager Unit, Health Canada, FDA and OTC approved Pain Relief therapy Device - a portable Muscle Stimulator for Electrotherapy Pain Management | Pain Relief on the Shoulder, Waist, Joint, Back, Arm,Leg https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00O9P2VLI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6P6EAbM1EC2B5

Or something like this:

Easy@Home TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator - Electronic Pulse Massager - FDA approved for OTC Use handheld Pain Relief therapy Device - Pain Management on the Shoulder, Joint, Back, Leg&more - #EHE009 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00O9P2VLI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ttWOzbE7WR4J6