IF and IFC stands for Interferential -

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I hadn’t even considered using IFC in a bucket of water.  Thanks for the suggestion.  I’ll have to try it.  Would it also follow that an ice pack over the region (like on my low back) would enhance the therapeutic effect if used during the IF session?   That would be very easy to implement on any location, though not quite as cold as a bucket of ice water.   I don’t do well with heat, even though I like the way it feels.  It worsens my fatigue, so I’ll skip that one, even though it sounds really nice.

Speaking  of using the unit with the battery pack, I have noticed that it has a significant power drop when on battery supply.  (I know you mentioned to me earlier that this was the case).  At what level could I expect it to perform at full power (and not simply assume that my batteries were going bad)?  For example on a 4 pole IFC setup with four 3” electrodes in the low back region, I’ve raised the intensity to 99 for 30 minutes at a time.   A few times, I wanted to move locations and plug in elsewhere.  When I went on battery power, I noticed a significant drop in the stimulation.   Or sometimes I just wanted to finish a couple of chores before sitting down to finish my IF treatment.  What is a reasonable expectation on battery?

What about other pain reliever creams, such as Aspercreme, that contain salicilates, but not menthol.   Can I somehow pair those with the IF to get improved relief?  (I have found that my skin burns like fire with menthol….more than it should.)

Thank you for the time you take to thoroughly educate and assist your clients.  I am amazed and impressed.  In fact, that is something that I have already shared with a number of my friends (who are PT’s and OT’s).  More than anything, I am grateful!

Have a wonderful evening,
SS

Answer:

On warm versus cold you do whatever provides you relief.  Try the ice pack(chilling) in conjunction with IF and just see what happens.  We have one patient who is in his 40’s with some form of degenerative disease but he has to work each day.  He gets relief from cold so at work he takes his shoes and socks off, and sits at his desk with his feet on cold tile.   He does his IF couple times a day with feet being cooled down.  He also does not benefit from heat, but does so from cold and that is how he self treats.

On batteries, especially rechargeable versus disposable, a disposable is about 30% stronger than a rechargeable so that is one difference.  You will have more available power with disposable.  In actuality the Infrex Plus was not designed to use IF mode on batteries.  The batteries were more for tens and in situations where just could not use AC adaptor, then as an emergency Rx.  We were thinking of airplanes, cars, public waiting areas, etc.   If the unit ever takes off then we do have a plan to adapt the adaptor for plug in in car lighter ( that assume lighters still  in cars by time we get there!!!).

ON “menthol”, most topical pain products have menthol in them to some degree.  Menthol being some form of mint oil, ie peppermint, spearmint, mentha ,,,,,, .  Example if you remember Flex All.  It is basically the same product but with different amounts of mint oil.  Regular is 8%, chiropractic is 12%, and professional is 16%.  You can use ultrasound with flexall if you put the flexall in the coupling gel and you use the regular at 8% or chiro, but at Professional of 16% the oil content is so high that almost always there will be a skin irritation problem.   If you have problems with mint topically then make sure menthol is not the first ingredient mentioned on the “ingredients”, the farther down the ingredients menthol is then the better for you.

On Aspercreme with IF I don’t know.  Just try it and see how works and let us know. Electricity being used for topical meds works if the med is water based, not petroleum based.  Electricity does not drive medicinal ions in oils but will do so in water based, ie. Iontophoresis.  You might get greater absorption and depth of penetration possibly but not sure.   Also if you do try this then for sure if do with ice/chill then the vasoconstriction that will occur in the chilled area will help retain the meds longer which should increase absorption in the localized area.

Also some great stretches to loosen up tight shoulders.

If you are not as flexible as the gal in this video, just do what you can.

Do not strain yourself.

These are some great stretches for after a walk or any kind of exercise. Or even if you are on a long car ride and need to take a break at the rest stop for a stretch.

Lots of people hold tension in the shoulders and neck. This can be very relaxing and soothing.

Back Rx: A 15-Minute-a-Day Yoga-and Pilates-Based Program to End Low-Back Pain

Take a look at this video to learn about the study results.

The study dealt with people who suffered chronic pain from a variety of causes.

Mayo Clinic Study Suggests
Those Who Have Chronic Pain
May Need to Assess Vitamin D Status

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276 chronic pain patients were involved in the study. Vitamin D levels were measured with testing. Vitamin D testing is fairly inexpensive an simple process. Your doctor can check your levels for you. A strong association was found between vitamin D deficiency and the amount of narcotic pain medication that was required. Medications such as morphine and others.

Check out the video for more information.

Vitamin D comes from 3 main sources

• Exposure to the sun
• Food
• Dietary supplements

We will find and post some additional vitamin D videos in the near future. We would love to hear your comments on the pain vitamin D connection. Please use the comment box below to voice your opinion.

A Tennis ball is one good option.

You can place it against the wall, or on the floor and lie on it to hit anyplace on your back.

RE: How to Massage Yourself

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10 Tips for
Morning Stiffness

More Low Cost Pain Relief Options

A golf ball is a good option for the bottom of the feet. Sit in a chair, place the ball under your feet and roll it around. You can use as much or as little pressure that is right for you. Might help with plantar fasciitis, sore arches or achy feet.

• Corner of a doorway for rubbing the back, just be gentle.
• Placing the tennis ball inside a sock may give you more control over getting it to the right location. Hitting that sweet spot.
• A towel can work really nice as a back massager, especially after a nice hot shower.

Special thanks to the Masagenerd for providing these tips.

Explore more pain relief products.

Have you tried Electrotherapy? Get a Free, in home, 30-day  trial.

A lot of folks feel a big improvement once it is over with though.

We all have muscles that have tightened up and created knots.

Massage Therapy: What to Expect and How to Prepare : Trigger Point Technique: What to Expect from Massage Therapy

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More Trigger Point Videos

What Causes Trigger Points?

• Repetitive use
• Trauma
• Injury
• Surgery
• Stress can be a contributing factor

Massage, Chiropractic and Self-Treatment

People often enlist the help of massage therapists or chiropractors to alliviate pain caused be a trigger point.

With a little education is is possible to have a friend apply the pressure needed to work with a trigger point. It is alos possible to self treat a trigger point. There are devices available to to assist in accessing  trigger points on the back, neck and other hard to reach places.

Take a look at this page for a video and explaination Trigger Point self-treatment program.

Sciatica Rescue

My sciatica pain suddenly flared up the other day, while I was playing disc golf.

Luckily, I had a battery powered, portable Interferential unit, in my van.

I hooked up the electrodes and fired it up.

Sweet Pain Relief

As soon as I got the intensity of the unit cracked up to the right level, sweet pain relief was on the way. I strapped the fanny pack around my waste, zipped in the interferential unit and continued playing disc golf.

Wonderful Pain Free Experience

I had a wonderful time, enjoying the fresh air, green trees and satisfying pain relief. I even got a good does of vitamin D. From what I’ve read, exposing your skin to the sun helps your own body to produce vitamin D. I was careful of course not to let myself get burned. Much of the course was shaded by trees, I wasn’t getting blasted by a lot of direct sun.

If you enjoyed this video on sciatica, please leave your comments below, we would love to hear from you. If  you have  a   – Sciatica Success Story, we would love to hear it.

Put it to the Test for Yourself

You can get your own portable Interferential unit on a trial basis to see if it works for you. Explore the right sidebar of this site to find out more.

Stress Solution

Stress can add to any chronic pain situation.

Worry, fear, anxiety in the mind can increase pain in the body.

Relaxation techniques are the antidote to excess stress and muscle tension.

Restorative yoga provide the mind and body with deep relaxation, that in my book, beats meditation and other relaxation methods.

The Stress Solution

Get Comfortable and Relax

The key here is to make the body completely comfortable. Cushions, pillows, blankets and other props help to make this possible.

Turn off the phone, TV and radio. Find a place to lie down and totally let go. Let your friends and family know you need a break.

Lying in silence is great, but sometimes I like to use meditation CD’s that promote alpha,  theta and delta brainwaves.

Consciously relax every muslce in your body. Let gravity take over and let the body sink into the pillows and cushions.

Break the Pain – Stress Cycle

Let’s face it having chronic pain is stressful, and stress makes chronic pain worse. It’s a vicious cycle. Relaxation helps to break up that vicious cycle.

A Natural Pain Reducing Method

More and more people are looking to alternatives to additive pain pills and surgery. I love restorative yoga, because it is a totally natural way to relax.

Get all the videos in our series - TOP 10 Natural Pain Relievers

Caffeine and Pain

Stiff Neck and Sore Back

Caffeine certainly contributes to pain in my body. I can feel it, oftentimes while drinking a cup of coffee. My neck starts to tighten up, my jaw gets cranky, and the lower back starts to get sore.
Switching to white tea, made a noticeable difference within days. white tea contains less

caffeine than green tea, which has less than black tea, which has much less than coffee. – Especially if it came from Starbucks or some other high end coffee shop.

Inflammation and Muscle Tension

Coffee has been linked to inflammation, which is a factor in pain.
Too much caffeine can lead to muscle tension, which can add to aches and pains.

Not to mention the fact that caffeine clearly contributes to stress. We have all heard about the negative effects of stress. The adrenal glands take a beating, when the caffeine load gets too high.

So the bottom line: Is coffee or tea right for you? These drinks actually do have some health benefits, like antioxidants. And they do come from plants, so coffee could be considered a vegetable.  – It’s a stretch I know…

In another video, I’ll be sharing a simple technique, that will help you determine if caffeiene is right for you, how much and in what form. It’s a dead easy technique, anyone can do at home.

TOP 10 Pain Relievers

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If you are the kind of person who likes to rely on nature for your pain solutions, this is the place for you.

Check out all of the top 10 natural pain relievers.

Epsom Salt Bath with Lavender

• Hot tub or bath tub
• Load up on epsom salt and/or dead sea salt
• Rub lavender on the sore spot
• soak in the heat and relax

Reduce Caffeine

Reduce Caffeine

• Makes muscles tight
• Caffeine adds to stress
• Coffee is very inflammatory

Vitamin Mineral Supplement

• Magnesium helps muscles to relax
• B vitamins help with stress
• A well nourished body heals faster

Massage

• Human touch is good for you
• Loosens tight muscles

Chiropractic

• Can help determine the real cause of pain
• Lots people have gotten great results from more than just back and neck pain

Ice pak

• Place over sore spot with a towel on the skin

Gentle stretching

• Yoga is well known for it’s therapeutic effects
• Key is to find a good teacher

Diet Modifications

• Eat fewer inflammatory foods
• Consume Omega 3, cold water fish or fish oil

Electrotherapy

• Interferential
• TENS

Sleep Better

Get More Restorative Sleep

• Relaxing herbs
• Be sure you are comfortable
• Make the room dark for shut-eye
• The body does it’s best healing while sleeping deeply

Disclaimer: Check with your doctor before trying anything mentioned on this page. What works great for one person, may be bad for the next. Everyone is different