Select TENS Pain Management System (Image courtesy Empi)By Andrew Liszewski

Since sitting in an office chair in front of a computer doesn’t seem to be the most natural position for the human body, it’s not surprising that so many people suffer from back pain these days. But instead of popping pain killers all day, or sitting on a large inflatable ball to ease the pain, you might want to see if your doctor will prescribe you a TENS unit from Empi.

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation, and that’s basically what the device does. It uses a set of electrodes attached to the skin that deliver up to 60 milliamps of current into the nerves where the pain occurs. This jolt serves to disrupt the pain signals coming from those nerves, and instead of hurting, the area ends up feeling tingly or even numb.

The output current can be adjusted, so you really only want to dial in enough juice for the pain to disappear, and it seems to include individual settings for the knees, shoulders, lower back & hips, upper back, and your hands & wrists. Normally I’d raise an eyebrow or 2 at an electronic device that promises relief from pain, but according to Joel Durham Jr. who writes for ExtremeTech, the TENS was quite effective at relieving his own back pain. And while this doesn’t seem like the kind of device you should use without the approval of your doctor, they do appear to be available for sale online to the general public, but expect to pay upwards of $800 if you’re interested.

[ Empi Select TENS Pain Management System ] VIA [ ExtremeTech ]

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9 COMMENTS

  1. What an outrageous CON. You can buy a unit that does EXACTLY the same thing for around $200 – made by Omron who’s products are first class. I have one and yes, they really do help aching muscles. Highly recommended.

  3. um, or you can get one implanted into your spine and not get any muscle/skin/general stimulation and nerve stimulation only. medtronic.com

  4. Your unit does not do the same as an Empi unit. You need to do some research before you open your mouth and sound like as ass because you clearly don't know what your talking about.

  5. Mike,

    Aside from your quick response to Collin, can you explain how the EMPI is superior to other TENS units that are in the $50-100? I need one and I can get a prescription for it, but I don't understand why they are so much more. I asked my PT and he said he didn't know what the difference was between the $800 and $100 units. One must assume that there is a difference, but is it like the difference between a 1974 Bordeaux red wine, which I couldn't afford, so I go for the 2006? (quality and status combined) I know there is a great difference between a 35 year old wine (that isn't corked) and one that is 3 years old.

    I just can't figure out what is different between these tens units. I'm asking for advise here- so please consider going into detail.
    thanks

  6. Mike,

    Aside from your quick response to Collin, can you explain how the EMPI is superior to other TENS units that are in the $50-100? I need one and I can get a prescription for it, but I don't understand why they are so much more. I asked my PT and he said he didn't know what the difference was between the $800 and $100 units. One must assume that there is a difference, but is it like the difference between a 1974 Bordeaux red wine, which I couldn't afford, so I go for the 2006? (quality and status combined) I know there is a great difference between a 35 year old wine (that isn't corked) and one that is 3 years old.

    I just can't figure out what is different between these tens units. I'm asking for advise here- so please consider going into detail.
    thanks

  7. I have one I bought for 700.00 cash used it once and never was reinbuirsed, it is a 300pv kit with the case andpads abattery charger, I didn’t sign the documents either make me an offer on all of it, and I’ll send it to you.  I am at [email protected]

  8. I just got one of these exact machines today. My insurance was billed $795 for it! This is no joke that they really are that expensive. I did have one years ago that was very cheap and garbage compared to this one. So far I have no complaints about it.

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