Excruciating Back Pain- 36 weeks Pregnant?!
Question: Excruciating Back Pain- 36 weeks Pregnant.?
I had bad muscle pain in my lower back for a few weeks when I tried a tens machine. It helped immensly and i started to use it more and more (3-4 times a day, 30 mins each time for 3 days) and on the 3rd day I woke up with excruciating back pain- completely different to my previous pain. It feels more like nerve pain in my spine rather than muscle pain.
I don't know whether it is because I slept differently (i used a body pillow under my back that night) or whether it is because bub has moved but it has now lasted fo 3 days and I cant fix it. I'm woried I have done nerve damage from using the TENS (Accupuncture) machine for so long. Please help.Health Question & Answer
I don't know whether it is because I slept differently (i used a body pillow under my back that night) or whether it is because bub has moved but it has now lasted fo 3 days and I cant fix it. I'm woried I have done nerve damage from using the TENS (Accupuncture) machine for so long. Please help.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
TENS machines -to the best of my knowledge- are similar to EMS (electro-muscular stimulation) machines.
The primary effect regarding pain reduction is because the impulses from the machine override the impulses from the free nerve endings (pain receptors) similarly to how cold or heat will do the same.
TENS machines also help by maintaining functional movement of injured tissue so adhesions do not occur during recovery.
The side effect of use, however is that it does fatigue the tissue and can lead to inflammation and muscle tearing if overused.
Since you are INSANELY pregnant at the moment, the muscles in your back are already very fatigued (understandably why you started using the unit in the first place) and the unit placed more stress on the fibres.
Sounds like too much of a good thing to me.
If you are worried about nerve damage, nerve pain is usually buzzing, tingling, jolting, or burning.
If its muscular, its achy, specific and localized. It might be a throbbing pain if there is inflammation present.
Best advice is start with RICE from first aid (Rest, Ice ... and forget the other two)
Congrads on the bambini, sorry bout the back :/Health Question & Answer
The primary effect regarding pain reduction is because the impulses from the machine override the impulses from the free nerve endings (pain receptors) similarly to how cold or heat will do the same.
TENS machines also help by maintaining functional movement of injured tissue so adhesions do not occur during recovery.
The side effect of use, however is that it does fatigue the tissue and can lead to inflammation and muscle tearing if overused.
Since you are INSANELY pregnant at the moment, the muscles in your back are already very fatigued (understandably why you started using the unit in the first place) and the unit placed more stress on the fibres.
Sounds like too much of a good thing to me.
If you are worried about nerve damage, nerve pain is usually buzzing, tingling, jolting, or burning.
If its muscular, its achy, specific and localized. It might be a throbbing pain if there is inflammation present.
Best advice is start with RICE from first aid (Rest, Ice ... and forget the other two)
Congrads on the bambini, sorry bout the back :/Health Question & Answer