The ACUHEALTH TENS for pain and the
Versa frame

Linda here - Pain had always been something other people had, but that is not true now. Pseudosciatic nerve pain that runs from my right buttock down the underside of my legs to the bend in my knee has become something I can no longer ignore. It's like a red hot rope aggravated by everything, even clothing.

I began a search for some help as painkillers made me so sleepy I couldn't do my work.

I suggested to my doctor that I see someone from Home Care, a free program in Ontario that brings health care professionals into the home. An occupational therapist (OT) and a physiotherapist were what I needed.

The OT toured our home and offices and watched me work. To capsulize four visits, I ended up with a Versa frame on my toilet so I can get up without tearing my shoulder muscles. This frame is available from any medical supply store and simply screws on where the seat attaches. I also got a new office chair that ensures my feet are always touching the floor and that my back and arms are always supported.

The physiotherapist worked out an exercise plan that I can do lying and sitting and suggested acupuncture, in which she is trained, for the leg pain. At first the acupuncture aggravated the pain, but on the mornings after, things were very good. She was hesitant to do too much needle acupuncture on me because I proved so sensitive to it…diarrhea, stomach cramps, etc. However, she brought in a little machine called an Acuhealth TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) Unit. It works the same as acupuncture but you are using a small electrical current from the machine to stimulate the nerve instead of a very fine needle. At first she used it on the various points described in the book that comes with it for sciatic nerve problems. Then I used it and learned to zero in on the points accurately, with the help of a tiny light that blinks and a buzzer that sings a very high note when you hit the right spot. At that time you squeeze both the back plate of the unit and a button on the front to send the electrical charge.

My hands and fingers are very weak and the instructions tell you that you should pinch the controls. I couldn't do that. But the unit comes with an extension probe on a long cord that lets me reach everything quite easily while holding the unit with the other hand. I slip the unit between my forefinger and big middle finger to get a closed circuit, and don't use the thumbs at all.

Does it work? For me it works pretty well. I am not totally pain free and I still work with a cold pack under my right leg, but the pain is gone most of the time if I use the machine every night before I go to sleep. It only takes about 10 minutes, and I find the treatment so relaxing that I'm sleeping better as well as being in less pain. For further information on an Acuhealth TENS call 1-800-PAIN. In the U.S. you need a prescription from your doctor; in Canada anyone can buy one. They cost around $325 in Canada.