In treating a case of sciatica, a number of folks (e.g., PTs, docs, athletes) have recommended that I purchase a TENS unit. Some of the advantages cited not only include rehab/recovery, but also muscle stimulation/growth (e.g., Compex muscle stimulators). Would appreciate any points of view on the applicability/effectiveness of these units, brand recommendations, etc. Many thanks.
Check out the Globus units that Hammer Nutrition sells.
www.hammernutrition.com
Just to give you a bit of info: A TENS unit is ONLY for pain control/management. It will not necessarily create some miraculous healing. Just does not happen that way.
A Compex unit is utilized for many functions including recovery or muscle building functions (what the company reports) and MAY be helpful for you. I cannot say for sure however that it will be though. If you are interested in using a TENS or another electrical muscle stimulator (EMS) unit contact a local PT’s office and see if you can rent one from them. They usually have some to rent to patients.
On another note, have you had other forms of manual therapy that have been of benefit? Any rehab exercises Rx to you or self-massage of the glute/piriformis utlizing a tennis-ball… just as an example. What is the cause of the sciatica and from what region is the sciatica originating? Good luck! ERIK
Thanks. It appears to be originating from the right glute/piriformis. PT, massage, stretching, use of roller and Triggerpoint, sitting on a tennis ball, etc. seem to be helping. I am also using a TENS unit in PT. Given how positive some of the folks involved in this are about TENS, I thought a TENS unit could be useful in the arsenal for IM training. However, if the results ar e marrginal or even unproven, one should probably evaluate it differently.
T.E.N.S, TransCutaneaousNerveStimulation. Nothing to do with stimulating a muscular contraction. It’s used to confuse the pain pathway. There are other forms of electrical stim that are used to elicit a muscular contraction. They won’t help YOU get stronger. They are used to re-educate muscles. For example: stroke rehab.
Just swim…bike…run.
I had serious problems with sciatica. One year had to switch over to strictly cycling (later a benefit in going into tris) due to a chronic sciatica. Once I learned to focus on keeping my Hamstring, Glutes, and in particular the pirformis loose (tennis ball) and just some minor strengthening by doing planks, I have been able to keep sciatica away for the last few years. The Stem never really helped much other than feeling good.
How about getting 2 TENS units and hooking 1 electrode from each to a foot, and 1 electrode from each to the opposite shoulder. Turn on to 10 CONTINUOUS Mode, and there you have it! A pain free Ironman!
;o)