I’m using my Infrex unit all the time (and the TENS unit simultaneously on acupuncture/acupressure sites at the recommendation of my physical therapist). I LOVE IT! It is really being very helpful to me in pain management. That said, my electrodes are wearing out, and I need to obtain more. My 3” Round are completely gone, so I am not able to use that protocol until I obtain more, so I was wondering if I could get a couple of spare sets of the things I use most in addition to the replacement set so that I don’t run out like this. I don’t know how that works with insurance/ Medicare, so please let me know on that front. If I can’t get several at a time, just let me know the frequency I can request to obtain what I need.

Also, as per my physical therapist, I am wearing the TENS 22 hours per day and then using both units sometimes simultaneously, combining approaches. He was very impressed with the unit, and I think you’ll likely have some additional clients from his referrals.
I am finding that the smaller electrodes are lasting 3-4 days because of the continual wear. And the larger electrodes are lasting about a week at most. That said, the Pre-Tens and the Clean-Cote are helping tremendously. They help both the condition of my skin and the life of the electrodes.

A few quick questions:

1) How much moisture are the multi-day electrodes supposed to tolerate? (showers, washing hands, etc.) I was afraid that a shower would ruin them.
2) I got one electrode in my last box that had a snap connection instead of a pin connection. Is that possible to use with my Infrex unit? I didn’t know how to hook it up.
3) Can I mix and match electrodes according to the site? For example, one of my protocols requires between the forefinger and thumb on the extensor surface (which is narrow and is in constant movement), two are on the forearm, and one is near the elbow joint (again a lot of movement and easy to bump). So, could I try a .75”X1.375” rectangle or even a 1.5”X2” rectangle on the thumb area while using the 2” electrodes on the rest?
4) What is the easiest way to determine which leads are used in the 2 Pole application? I can figure it out by trial and error a couple of times, and I can mark them with a silver sharpie or something, but I was wondering if there was a simple way of telling visually already that I just missed.
5) I love the Clean-Cote, but is there a way to remove that residue easily besides scrubbing vigorously in the shower?

If at all possible, I would like to request the following: (assuming that each package has four electrodes). Where possible, I prefer latex-free products, but if must use a latex product to obtain the smallest sizes I will do so. Also, I have sensitive skin, so where there is a reasonable option, please provide a skin-friendly electrode. For example, the

• 3 packages 3” Round Superior Starburst Model 628SB (latex free, with aloe)
• 3 packages Re-Flex Tantone 2”X2” square (I am hoping that these might stay adhered better to sites that are continually moving, such as my hands and wrist areas. If you think something else is better, please advise. If you have something that is slightly smaller like a 1.75”X1.75”, that would be even better.)
• 1 package Multi-Day 2.25” square gel pin connection (unless you can tell me how to use the snap connection)
• 1 lumbosacral 6”X4” butterfly – (Do I use the 2 pole or 4 pole protocol with that? I have been using the infrex on this region very often, so I thought this would be easier to use since I often have to ask for help in applying the electrodes there.)
• 1 package1 Re-Ply 2” round (tan)
• 1 package .75X1.375” rectangle
• 1 package 1.5”X2” rectangle

If you have questions or think I should consider something different, please don’t hesitate to call me at xxx-xxx-xxxxor or email me at __________

Thank you so much,
S S
DOB 9-9-1971

Answer To SS:

Hi SS,

   Thanks for the very nice email back.   I’m glad things are working well and once we get the insurance going think all will be fine.  I want to try to address several of your questions however many better answers are on our web site. 

   First off is if your physical therapist would like us to consign a couple of Infrex units to the dept. for patient trials we will be glad to do so.  Also if he/she does that please let me know as I want to send you some extra supplies as a “thank you” for helping us.   I’m also assuming you will not mind if I post your email to our blog, but I will not reveal your name or other identifying info.   Your letter has some very good, well thought out questions that many people need to know.   Also if your P.T. has any questions  then please have them call me.

  Now to some of your questions:

“ If I can’t get several at a time, just let me know the frequency I can request to obtain what I need. “ ( electrodes) – This to Linda but when possible, after insurance determined, then anytime we can send one shipment with more electrodes etc. then do so.  We can ship once with a year’s supply, but bill them out as allowable each month.  That way Sherri gets more electrodes because we only have one shipping charge rather than 12- 24 with minimal cost of $10 each when you put in handling.

“I am finding that the smaller electrodes are lasting 3-4 days because of the continual wear. “  Do not use any reusuable electrodes for “extended time periods” if you can prevent.  To increase the life of the electrodes it’s best to rotate them and the life is extended.  Example is if you are wearing electrodes 16 hours a day, it’s better to wear one set for 8 hours, then put on other electrodes for 8 hours.  That alone should minimally double the life span of the electrodes. As is seen on one of our electrode videos, store the unused pair in the refrigerator, wipe surface gently with toothbrush, and may occasionally need to dampen with water before putting back on.

1)    How much moisture are the multi-day electrodes supposed to tolerate? (showers, washing hands, etc.)  I was afraid that a shower would ruin them. ( Shower will not ruin as that is a main reason for having that type electrode)

This multiday electrode is generally not a very good electrode and especially so when doing interferential therapy on the Infrex.  Reason  for IF treatment is the surface area for stimulation is very small and therefore the stimulus is concentrated in very small area – not good with interferential.

Other issue with this electrode is not skin friendly at all, occluding skin for long periods so breakdown more likely.  You doing right thing with the skin prep and clean cote so keep that up. 

Gravity is constantly pulling gel etc. down on that electrode as you wear it.  You stand up or sit up and gravity starts trying to get the gel out which means might have “leakage” on bottom edge breaking through the adhesive that is holding electrode on and dry out.  If dries out you will start feeling a “pin stick” because the current is concentrated in only areas where conductive gel/medium is.  This electrode is fine if you are happy and can be very good for small areas like hocu, space between thumb and forefinger in web space.

2)    I got one electrode in my last box that had a snap connection instead of a pin connection.  Is that possible to use with my Infrex unit?  I didn’t know how to hook it up. No was a mistake – Sorry.

3)    Can I mix and match electrodes according to the site?  For example, one of my protocols requires between the forefinger and thumb on the extensor surface (which is narrow and is in constant movement), two are on the forearm, and one is near the elbow joint (again a lot of movement and easy to bump).  So, could I try a .75”X1.375” rectangle or even a 1.5”X2” rectangle on the thumb area while using the 2” electrodes on the rest? 

Yes and that is really a good strategy.  Your therapist seems very knowledgeable and is unique in helping you with more knowledge than most have.  This is very good to cut and shape electrodes for the specic areas.  As an example if you are having pain in the “lower back” in large area then generally use larger electrodes, but if on small joint like wrist then use smaller electrodes.  Mixing and matching is perfect way to go.

Another useful tip is you can always use an “ace” wrap/bandage and secure electrodes like on your forearm by simply binding with the Ace and securing that way if helps.

4)    What is the easiest way to determine which leads are used in the 2 Pole application?  I can figure it out by trial and error a couple of times, and I can mark them with a silver sharpie or something, but I was wondering if there was a simple  way of telling visually already that I just missed. 

Might want to take magic marker as you’ve done  and mark the two cables if that makes it easier.  Now important point is when you have electrodes on and working, yet one electrode area felt more than the other, don’t’ change the electrode location but simply pull out cables at electrode and switch.  One electrode always has more of the positive/negative charge than the other and one always dominants.  If electrode you are feeling most is not one where most pain is, then switch cable and now the electrode over most painful area should be felt more and should help more.  Not sure what going on but most of our cables for Infrex are color coded to start with.  I do know that we do have some that were not color coded but you’ve overcome that with your markings which was smart.

5)    I love the Clean-Cote, but is there  a way to remove that residue easily besides scrubbing vigorously in the shower?   Acetone ( finger nail polish remover ingredient)  which can get at drugstore or we have some removal pads you can wipe with.

Watch this short video – http://bit.ly/Waterfriendlyelectricity4pain

Find Electrodes here

This particular unit can work on 2 different areas of pain at the same time.

You can adjust the strength of the setting independently for each channel.

Interferential therapy works great for some people and not at all for others. It just depends on the casue of pain and where it is at in the body.

That is why Medfaxx Inc., offers a free trial. They don’t even charge for shipping and provide a return envelope, so there is no cost to try it out. If it does work good for you, they will help you work with your insurance company to get coverage fro the unit.

Those with no isnurance and limited funds, don’t despair. Medfaxx is more than happy to work something out with you. Their mission is to help people eliminate pain.

Click here to get your unit, free to try.

Interferential

Reduce Pain
Promotes Healing
Stimulates Endorphin Release
Increases Range of Motion

Interferential therapy uses tiny electrical currents, that intersect below the surface of the skin. This promotes endorphin release in the body. Endorphins are the bodies, natural, built in pain killers.

Interferential therapy is especially helpful for:

• Ligament sprains
• Muscle tightness and pain
• Muscle strains
• Muscle spasms
• Chronic and acute pain
• Tissue Injuries

There are also a number of other conditions for which interferential current therapy could be useful. You should talk to your doctor about your specific situation.

Your practitioner may suggest interferential therapy in conjunction with other therapies such as, adjustments, stretching and exercising, physical therapy and other types of physiotherapy. Always follow your health care providers instructions for the best long term healing outcome.

Everyone is different and interferential therapy is not for everybody. There a a few conditions for which interferential treatment would be contraindicated. Having a cardiac pacemaker is one. Placing the electrodes over the abdomen of a pregnant women is another. Again check with your personal health professional for guidance on your unique situation.

If you think that you could benefit from interferential therapy, Medfaxx is offering a free trial of a portable, at home unit. Just click here to find out more.

Watch Knee Pain Video - Click Image

A friend has just undergone her second knee replacement surgery and was in excruciating pain.  Prior to now she was using heavy duty narcotic pain meds and was tired of being doped out but also had this severe pain throughout her leg.  The first replacement knee surgery did not take, therefore this second procedure which was much more painful.

This has been an interesting week. I’ve had the opportunity to show her how to use the Infrex Plus unit.

Enlightening Experience

It has been literally decades since I’ve gone to a patient’s home to help so  new experience, but also very enlightening to me since once you see a patient it helps you keep focused on what your real mission is,  helping others not have pain and heal.   Here were my observations:

1.  The first day one major complication was the muscle cramping which occurred during any movement ( cpm being used as well as ice machine ).  Our first mission was to stop the cramping and our remedy was multiple IFT treatments on,  an as needed basis,  to calm the muscles trying  to move them away from tenseness to relaxation.   By second day with approximately 8 or 9,  30 minute interferential treatments the cramping was gone.

2.  The patient described the first day that the one place she was hurting most was the popliteal space ( directly behind knee in crease ) and wanted an electrode put there.  Well the normal electrodes we provided were lacking sufficient “tackiness” and would not stick well enough to go over popliteal area.  On day two I returned with a superior silver electrode which is much tackier and stuck well even allowing some movement.   Going forth we need to look at a larger, better adhering electrode for the patient.  It’ s on our “to do” list as I write.

3.  First day ( this is not first day after surgery, but first day when patient had actually called us,  since she could not take it anymore – hopefully later I’ll find out how long we were post surgery with her ), I saw our patient literally crying and agonizing over her pain so,  in addition to use of interferential,  I left her:

a.  one bergamot oil scented patch which is labeled to relieve “stress” and this was put on her chest so essential oils could be inhaled.

b.  put on lateral inside of knee one Tiger Balm patch

c.  on outside, lateral on affected knee,  rubbed Sombra lotion on.

All of above was done so we could immediately address her most  pressing needs first – pain, much of it due to cramping of leg muscles.  We attacked it with all we had as many of the above products are what are most effective over time for most of our chronic pain patients.

4.  Second day back I showed her and her husband, daughter,  and sister how to use the Tens aspect of the unit.  Width was set at 350 microseconds as we wanted greatest penetration.  Tens was not introduced nor explained on the first day, only on second, and reason for that was wanted to get new electrodes so could put on popliteal space and also patient in so much pain first day doubt she and her sister would have remembered too much information.  She had used only IFT first day and after that first day she was wanting to see if ok for her to get up and walk around house some so showed her tens as as assist modality so she could be more mobile and yet still use tens part as needed.   She had been told our preference was to use the IFT mode with the AC adaptor when possible.  The patient seemed to still prefer the interferential, IFT mode but did like the Tens and was going to use that.

5.  Also on first day had left her one lavender patch to place on her chest to help her sleep as she was in a sleep deprivation situation due to the pain which only made things worse.   By second day she was sleeping longer and more often.

What was learned:

* Better electrodes needed especially for acute situations – electrode tackiness should not dictate placement.

* Use topical pain relieving products when possible and if sleep cycle disrupted then do not fear using essential oils for inhalation.

* Try to intervene as early as possible with IFT post surgery – there’s no reason for the patient to suffer through this when if can start prior to the pain cycle starting then should be better results.  It’s harder to intervene and stop pain once it has been present for long time periods and already into the drug program.

* Cramping is extremely excruciating pain in the affected leg so use interferential to relax the muscles so that does not happen.

* Let the patient decide how often and for how long they want to use Ift mode when in pain.  On this patient she used multiple times during the first 24 hours depending on when was hurting.  I’m not sure one can “overtreat”   but this patient was bedridden the first day of treatment with the unit.

* It’s well documented and known that electrostim will make happen ( 80% of non-union fracture cases ) the healing of bone tissue so seems like e-stim could have helped in first surgery to heal,  rather than redo ( do not know what the complicating factors were such as infection, diabetes etc. so only can guess ). Would estim have prevented the first surgery from failing to mend?  Do not know but would have been cheap and easy to use the unit.  No telling what the second surgery costs and for sure there was a lot of patient discomfort due to pain and missed work.   This lady has a very active physical job.

* Estim,  such as PGS or Tens,  has been shown to help decubitus ulcers heal and accelerate soft tissue heal time in surgical situations so why not use anytime post surgery to facilitate faster heal rates, and less pain through the process.

*  Interferential is a very desirable muscle relaxing form of estim and if had been used earlier maybe the patient would not have had to endure the pain from cramping she did.

* EDUCATE the patient and family (caregivers) well so they understand and also can either help the patient or the patient can self help.  Better understanding then better results will happen.

Will drop by patient’s home tonight to leave some essential oil patches and couple of topical pain patches but from first day of usage of IFT, to second day of explanation of how to use the tens mode, she had improved dramatically as far as pain goes and could now sleep and cramps gone.  Made me feel good that we might have something going here that can help lots of folks not go through this.

Also very appreciative of the orthopedic doctor who was willing to do whatever he could to help his patient.   One phone call and prescription was here.

bobj