Tens

[icjen]

Do you need a doctors order to use a TENS unit? Do you need to be in PT? Does insurance cover this? Does it help with pressure and frequency too or is it just meant for pain relief?

[Sarojini]

You generally need a prescription to get a TENS unit, but you don't have to be in PT -- you will need the doctor to help you learn to use it. My insurance covered mine.

I find that it does sometimes help with frequency and urgency, depending on where you place the electrodes, so I wear it on long car trips. It seems the electric buzz from the unit tends to distract the nerves a little to keep them from signaling pain/urgency.

[Jean12]

I have been going to the pain clinic and one of the things we were going to try was a TENS unit. I was approved in November but when I went back in the beginning of January my dr. tells me that Blue Cross no longer covers the unit or the trial. I'm so discouraged, now I don't know what to do. I'm just considereing all my options. I will meet on Friday with the NP from my Uro's office; she's the one who has been treating me and go over all of the suggestions, botox, interstim, TENS etc. Unfortunately, I just found out she is leaving and I'm devistated.

Jean

[kelly McC]

my insurance company covered mine I had a pt write mine but my Uro's office was willing to write as well. Someone does have to show you how to use it..
Good Luck,
Kelly