I just wanted you guys to know that I did receive my Infrex Plus  unit yesterday here in Rosarito, Mexico (2/27). I read through all the manuals (EVERY piece of lit that was in the box), charged my batteries, and got started. My partner and I had it hooked up on my leg from a point in the glute around the front of the thigh, then popliteal and down under my left foot (I had visions of Boris Karloff…).

I think I had everything tuned up to a nice level….I could feel the muscles twitching and there was SUCH a relief! This, along with my PT that’s coming up iw going to help me get back “on the mend”.

So, I understand that insurance has covered the biggest majority and I have a remainder of $895.00, correct? Now, this is something that I can make payments to you guys? I’ll be honest with you, I can’t afford to pay that chunk of change all at once and the only way would be for to do is to make make payments. Right now, I’m on a disability with my work but will be getting all that squared away as well. That’s nothing you’re interested in hearing at all, but it just gives you heads up on my end.

I want to start as soon as possible, however to start sending something and getting on track with this.

Bob, you said some words in one of the videos that I “Youtubed”: You mentioned just HOW important it was for people to actually get the relief they needed in their hands and not just getting “lip service” from companies. I can see how truly earnest you REALLY are about this.

If you will, when you have a chance, get back to me and let me know what kind of plan I can do as far as making monthly payments (that I can budget). I as SO greatly thankful that I found you online in my search for help.

Sincerely,
Douglas
Oh, by the way….I’m planning on being back home in Tennessee sometime late Spring…and hitting Raleigh around the same time. I would love to swing by Wake Forest and meet you if that’s at all possible.

My sister experienced increased heart beat when I gave her the last treatment. Is that a possibility?

thanks

Is it more effective than IFT?

thanks

MedFaxx Response:
If you have questions on which ultrasound works best for your condition and/or budget please let us know and will help you.   We generally suggest one buys the cheapest ultrasound possible for the specific condition being treated.    Many of the $1,000+ machines are actually clinical ultrasound machines designed to be able to treat any condition any patient coming to the clinic has.   Most home use of ultrasound is specific to a condition and there is no need for multiple frequencies, multiple head sizes, variable transducers.    Buy cheapest first such as our hand held, portable unit for $130.

I am a pain nurse from the Netherlands and i saw your video’s from MedFaxxinc. And the only thing I can say is that they are very helpful for me. This because I just started with TENS-treatment after I followed a course.
I show the patient the movies on the internet if they want to see or hear more about TENS, and the only thing I can say is that the patients are very glad to see your video’s on your webpage.

But I have also another question: do you have a book were you put all the treatments in and also the positions of the electrodes? If so, can you give me the title and the place where I can buy it?

With regards,

T. S.
The Netherlands

Hi T,

Thanks for the very nice comments.   So kind of you.

The answer to your question is “No don’t have a book”, but let me expand on that.

There really is no such thing as a “correct” electrode placement guide.  There is such a thing as an incorrect electrode placement guide such as:

1.  Do not put electrodes on bony prominences ( logic- bone is not conductor of electricity, but resistor, so little gained if bone close to surface and little moist tissue between electrode and bone)

2.  Do not use small electrodes for large pain areas ( current concentration hurts before relief gained)

3.  Do not put tens machines electrodes on head ( refer to 1 above)

Here is what is logical though and this varies from Rx to Rx and patient to patient and time of day to time  of day which is why can’t generalize:

1.  For tens basically want flow of current through area pain being felt ( logic:  pain moves and after treatment then another area may now hurt enough to warrant electrode change so change to target area ( use rifle scope analogy of zeroing in on pain with criss cross ( that’s your electrodes and the flow of current)

2.  What type machine using?  Tens, Hi volt, Russian, Interferential etc. as the current density of those machines changes electrode placement.  ( For Russian/Katz at 2,500 pps you need electrodes placed longitudally (sp) to go with muscle endplates, not transversally)

3.  Unlike acupuncture where one interferes with electrical flow using small pins in specific areas with an electode you are proactive and dispersing electricity  over a general area, not a specific area so need for specificity not as great.   Also acupuncture points, even though specific are specific to each person’s body vis a bis “cun” which is a standard measurement but standard only to the patient’s body, not anyone else.

Giving you some of a “non answer” but there are lots of charts, books etc. but they actually prevent you or your patients from learning what is really going on rather than asking for a “cook book” of pictures on electrode placement.

Hope this makes some sense and if not please let me know.

Thanks.

Bobj

Hi Kin,

Carryover is not related to a numbing sensation per se, or at least to my knowledge it is not. You can create what is called “paresthesia” with high frequency estim. Much of how our body responds to electrical stimulus is not known. When you put positive and negative charges in the body you create a cascade effect of numerous electrical changes which are defined as literally changing the chemical structure of cells, nerves, inter and intra cellular spaces. With interferential one can cause more changes, very rapidly in the body. With pain the changes tend to be beneficial and one has immediate pain relief results. That relief is very much predicated upon the chemical changes one did during the period of stimulation. That relief remains as long as there is similar chemistry in the area or the change has affected how the brain reacted to the changes. The brain can change chemistry within our body and does constantly. Interferential on an “as needed” basis appears to be teaching the brain to either send in different chemical responses or not allow certain previous chemical reactions to occur. It’s not always what is done, but often what is not done.

Tens basically does not “heal” anything although it can be used to heal bones that are not growing together or soft tissue injuries such as bed sores, sports medicine injuries etc. IF ( interferential) has the ability, if used as a preventive, to actually cause permanent changes and falls in the category of a “healing current”.

1. It is untrue that muscle stim can not be applied to the neck. “muscle stim” is not what either tens or interferential is really designed to do. We can pump a muscle, cause a contraction, but most muscle stim units are used for rehab. following injury and have a whole set of parameters not found in most estim units. The term is very much abused and misleading, but that is the norm. Don’t accept the term unless someone can expressly tell you the difference. We have a video about muscle stim on our web site you should watch. Type in the search the term and follow the results you get.

2. Pads applied in different areas, depending on condition at time of using the unit.

3. Your aunt probably needs to change her diet and if unwilling to do so then forget about it. E stim is used to increase blood flow, pump muscles to increase blood flow and is generally very good at doing it as long as there are no occlusions to the blood going into an area such as plaque, constricted vessels etc.

We need a prescription to dispense in the U.S. the Infrex or actually a tens unit. Infrex has a tens mode in it though.

bobj

From: kin
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2012 1:01 AM
To: Bob Johnson
Subject: Re: TENS or INFREX

Hi Bob,

I really appreciate your responses.

I had read about carryover. Guess I didn’t understand if carryover results due to a “numbed” nerve (or whatever is affecting the nerve so the pain is reduced?), or because of increased blood flow to the muscle(s) – which is more of a healing condition. That was why I asked which device works best to “heal” the condition — as opposed to “numbing” it. It sounds like you are saying that both would work but that the in Infrex would have more healing effect because of the greater pulse rate per second.

Most important questions yet:
1. I was told that muscle stim can’t be applied to the upper neck muscles, is that true?
2. Where would pads be applied if I get a Tens or an Infrex for my condition?

3. I have a friend who was told she may have to get her lower leg amputated (due to poor circulation). Would an Infrex device save her left leg- even if she doesn’t change her diet?

If your answer is yes, then do I need to ask her to find a doctor in  CA. that can prescribe her one (so insurance will pay)? If so, do you know of any Physicians in Ca. I could send her to?

Thanks again,
Kin

— On Mon, 1/16/12, Bob Johnsonwrote:

From: Bob Johnson
Subject: 2nd comment on RE: TENS or INFREX
To: “kin
Date: Monday, January 16, 2012, 7:54 AM
Hi Kin,

At office now so can give you better answer than from my Blackberry.

To clarify previous answer. Tens may help you but a tens unit goes off and on ( frequency/rate/Pulses Per second) at most 150 times per second versus interferential doing same thing 8,001 – 8,150 times per second. The higher frequency allows more electricity to penetrate to muscles, nerves etc. and actually simulate “deeper”. Difference for patient is longer lasting relief when not using the unit. Type in “carryover” on our web site to get more information on this.

Also the comment “my brain doesn’t work as well” regarding the muscle tension, is not surprising. Reason is with “tightness” in muscles in neck/shoulders there is generally a degree of blood vessel constriction which slows the blood flow to the brain, as well as restricting blood from brain which means the blood, after delivering nutrients, O2 etc. is remaining for longer time period in unusable condition. This physiological process often leads to less mental alertness.

By relaxing the muscles the blood flow is improved as well as the alertness.

Hope this helps explain.

bobj

From: kin
Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 6:23 PM
To: Bob Johnson
Subject: TENS or INFREX

Dear MedFaxx,

I have chronic pain in my upper neck muscles (around the C1 and C2 area). I notice when the upper neck muscles are really tight, my brain doesn’t work as well. Which device would be best suited for this condition (TENS or INFREX)? My hope is not so much to “dull” the pain, but to resolve the muscle issue and the restricted blood flow that accompanies it (good posture and chiro adjustments over the last 10 years haven’t been enough to help condition).

Thank you,
Kim

She mentions drinking plenty of water, which is a no brainer.

Beyond that she introduces the topic of massage, which many people find helpful.

Getting good nutrition can also helpful. Exercise helps the muscles and blood flow.

Holistic Stress Management & Relaxation, Yoga and Massage Therapy

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Feel your best by checking out some of the cool ideas in this video.

Many people don’t thank that relaxation is not a valuable use of time. However, reserving 15-20 minutes per day to meditate, do yoga or practice some other form of stress control can be very beneficial.

You can’t get rid of stress, but you can learn how to deal with it more effectively.

Start by wearing comfortable clothing.

Use an exercise or yoga mat on the floor for cushion.

Check out the video for complete instructions.

How To Stretch For Back Pain: Lower Body Russian Twist

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Often back pain occurs from doing activities you are not used to, like shoveling snow for example.

Lower Body Russian Twist can also be done with an exercise ball.

Check out this interview with Todd Durkin M.A. C.S.C.S. and Sean Croxton.

The answer will surprise you.

Fascia is all throughout the body and can affect pain in many areas at once.

Pain, Posture, and Fascia

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Fascia can not only hold on to physical pain, but mental, emotional pain as well. So people that have had traumatic events happen to them, may have pain, stored in the fascia.

Check out the video for more info.

Bob,

My 80 year old mother, a life long right leg amputee, had knee replacement surgery about 6 weeks ago. While she is mobile and is celebrating her increasing accomplishments, she is suffering from reoccurring leg cramps in her calf muscle (which she refers to as a “charley horse”). She describes the leg cramps as being very painful (note: she has a very high tolerance for pain, so I believe her). Her doctors have said that they have never heard of post operative leg cramps, and so, have not offered any possible solutions.

As a runner, I start eating bananas when I get cramps, but she is allergic to them… so this is not a possibility.

Questions: Have you ever heard of this situation following knee replacement surgery? Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks (in advance),

John P.

Answer to consider:

Hi John,

Historically when a person was having surgery they would put a tens unit on them immediately post operatively and at first the assumptions were the stimulation would:

1.        Lessen need for pain meds

2.       In abdominal area would reduce “gas”, therefore less pain.

Over time it became apparent:

1.        For most surgeries not worth the time, hassle, cost to use tens when drugs did the job and patient only used for couple days in most cases

2.       The “less gas” was probably the result of restoring muscle tone by accelerating tissue repair with the electricity.  The muscle had been literally “cut” and the stimulation we know accelerates tissue repair.

In your Mom’s case what may be happening is she is “favoring” her leg, due to the pain from the knee, and has put additional stress on the calf muscle not only due to pain but has probably shifted her posture which adds additional stress.   Now the issue is not to treat the cramps but to prevent the cramps.

One of reasons tens has helped is it literally reduces the “tenseness, tightness” of the muscles involved and there is less “tightening” of the muscles which often results in “spasms”.  One would intervene when it is felt the calf muscles are getting tense and apply the estim then.  The estim will literally make the muscle relax and prevent the buildup of lactic acid which is what happens when muscles are in constant tightness.  The lactic acid from the fatigue builds up and the result is muscle spasticity or spasms/cramps.

Also before doing any tens have her use warm, MOIST heat to her calf couple times per day to prevent.  The moist heat attracts blood which in turn removes the lactic acid that is building up to cause the cramps.

Both of the above methods do not involve drugs and can be done externally so there is or should be no questions on her alertness, drug interactions, dosage etc.   Of course the two above will be even better if used conjunctively.    When your Mom can, be sure to make sure she is inverting her foot to stretch those calf muscles and increase the elasticity as long term that is also a solution.

Happy Thanksgiving.

bobj