TENS machine?

[digitalangel]

anyone ever used one...on their horse?

my physio is recommending daily TENS treatments on Nigels back for a month and nothing but walking (boring but necessary!)

Has anyone else ever used one ? what were the results?

[Bay Mare]

Not a Tens machine but a similar device when Saff hurt her shoulder and it went it spasm to 'protect' it. When he first used it you could see that the muscle just wouldn't contract. After a short while it quivered and was all jelly like and finally it released and contracted correctly. After having that done she went from strength to strenght :)

[digitalangel]

how long did you use it for?

[Bay Mare]

It wasn't for long term, it was just to get the muscle out of spasm so we only used it for one session. It was an acute problem, though, so just needed sorting out and then left up to her to get used to being 'ok' again :)

[digitalangel]

aaah ok nigelis recieving daily 20 min sessions for 2 weeks then once every other day. He has hurt his back slipping in the field so no canters, circles or mucking about which is hard because he acts like a total loon when turned out!!

[*Sez*]

Salsa had a similar electric shock treatment :D when he last saw the physio to release tension in his quarters. I also have a TENS machine at home for use on me :) .

[FudgieFoo]

I used a TENS machine on Fudge's back when it was sore. Its like a deep massage. I know this cos I've used it on myself. It is SO nice. Must go dig out my TENS machine now..........

[becs]

From my dusty memories (awaits correction here)...

TENS machines are used for pain relief. TENS stands for Transcutaneous (= thro' the skin) Electrical Nerve Stimulation.

They are based on the "gateway theory"; that there are different types of nerve impulses that can pass through our bodies, and the chronic pain ones can be blocked by stimulating the nerves that carry the "sharp" pain ones - there's only room at the (spinal?) gateway for one to pass through.

So if you send a new impulse to stimulate the nerve with the machine, it can over-ride the "chronic pain" impulse at the gateway and hence stop it getting through, hence stop that pain. Although theoretically they'd therefore only relieve pain while switched on (& electrodes stuck on your back / where ever), many find the relief lasts longer, after the treatment.

They used to be used a lot in pain clinics and by physios, but maybe I'm out of date here.

[Mary Poppins]

I am about to order a TENS machine from mothercare for use during my labour as they are supposed to be really good. I have never heard of them for use on horses, or for any non-pregnancy use though. I would imagine that you would have to be very careful using one as I have been told they are dangerous if you use them on the wrong part of the body. In labour they are used on the lower part of the back - if they are used too near the heart they can cause complications apparently. However, this may just be because I am using it for a pregnancy and there is the baby to consider.

[Rhein]

Becs is right (and not out of date at all :) ).
TENS machines are used for pain relief. Most commonly used for intractable back or neck pain by pain releif clinics or physios. But can be used on most "nerve related" pain. If you use them often then there is as Becs suggests a residual effect whereby the pain does not return with the same intensity for gradually longer periods. And of course they're often advocated during labour.

If you turn them up high enough you will get the muscle supplied by the underlying nerves to twitch - but it doesn't exercise the muscle in any way at all.
I'm not sure what the theory behind using one on a horse would be; other than for pain refeif. Then again, how on earth would you know when you had the precisely correct location and the precise electical stimulation to be effective. In man you rely in trying slightly different nerve pathways and different electrical impulses (pulsed, continuous, variable, long, short etc) and different strengths; until the patient tells you what is best for them. Can't really see how it can work in a horse I'm afraid :confused:

Mary Poppins - practice a lot with your TENS machine when you get it. They have different settings and strengths, as well as a multitude of places you can put them. Even what they suggest on the packet as the ideal positions in pregnancy may not be the best for you. So plenty of practice before you need it will help you get the best out of it (although of course you won't really know precisely where and at what strength you need it until the time comes :rolleyes: ). Good luck with the baby - how exciting :)

[andreaB]

i used a tens machine on my horse for about a 6 weeks , daily ,building up to about 30 mins a day , at the advise of my physio , for a back problem

he hated it to start with but once i had got him used to it it worked really well & along with a specific exercise routine certainly helped improve the muscle in the area's we used it

was very worth while in our case although i would say don't expect a quick fix , its is more of a medium term thing

[digitalangel]

wow thanks guys ;~)

Rhein: the physio was very specific on the settings - 3hrtz and 200-230 pulse width for 20 minutes a day for 2 weeks, then every other day for another two weeks. the intensity is abuot halfway - any more and he shows discomfort.

Andreab - excellent - what kind of back problem was it?

[andreaB]

associated with spavin & uneven muscle as a result

[laurenefb]

I use a TENS machine every other day on my horse, for ten minutes each time. We've used it for as long as I can remember (two or three years!). The little pads go anywhere on his back behind where the saddle would sit.