TENS Unit Usage

[PickMe69]

My dad has a TENS machine for his knee (tore his ACL/PCL taking second base too quick in a softball game haha)... Well thursday I was doing some push ups as part of my HIIT, doing them quickly to get my heart rate up and all the sudden, SNAP!, my shoulder had a quick sharp pain shoot through it. I stopped and it went away... So friday I was incline benching, as is part of my 5x5, and was on my second to last set when it pulled again, again I stopped and it didn't hurt at all, so I figured I'd try for that last set being careful, and sharp pain went through it as I came down, had to have someone snatch the weight up because my left arm couldn't stabilize it at all... afterwards I went and did squats (which I got a PR on!) and called it a day...

This morning I remembered my dad had that TENS machine, so I pulled it out and did it for about 20 minutes at 14-18 mA. I was told that it increases blood flow to the wounded area speeding up the healing process. I figure I'll do it like 2-3 more times today and tomorrow. Plus I added a L-Glutamine supplement to my diet yesterday. I hope to be recovered by Monday, so I don't have to skip much of a beat on my Workouts... Whatcha'll think?

P.S. I went to the gym this morning, I felt a little extra pressure on my left shoulder (the hurt one) when I was doing Jump Ropes, but aside from that there has been no continuous pain.

 

[moya]

i dont think it will completely heal by then... but i dont think you should necessarily stop working the area either... just take it a bit easier... no PR attempts or the like...
are you on cycle?...

 

[PickMe69]

i dont think it will completely heal by then... but i dont think you should necessarily stop working the area either... just take it a bit easier... no PR attempts or the like...
are you on cycle?...

Nope, Currently taking Needto's PWO Powerchews (therefore a light creatine supplement), whey protein, casein protein, and just started L-Glutamine on friday (which I can already fell a difference in healing times).

I think I might drop 5 pounds below the PR I was supposed to get on friday, pretty much set myself back a week... Or do you think I should just stop a set short of my final set, ending at about 80% max out reps?

 

[stevesmi]

muscle pulls don't take long to heal.

i've got a TENS unit at home too, they are good to get the blood flowing and loosen up muscles.

 

[PickMe69]

muscle pulls don't take long to heal.

i've got a TENS unit at home too, they are good to get the blood flowing and loosen up muscles.

Problem is... its a week later and it is still giving me a little hell. It's not my shoulder though, its under my arm, like below the bicep, mainly in my arm pit. When I push the weight I can apply strength but I can't stabilize it.

 

[the.gladiator1987]

Bro I would just go light and let it heal, do your TENS machine, and it will be gone soon!

 

[C0LUMB0]

Problem is... its a week later and it is still giving me a little hell. It's not my shoulder though, its under my arm, like below the bicep, mainly in my arm pit. When I push the weight I can apply strength but I can't stabilize it.

might be a small tear on a tendon. ice and rest will help alot more than a TENS machine.
The TENS can sometimes mask the problem ,i know they can give temporary relive but 10 minutes is the max i would use it on any one area ( got that info from my physio )

good look with your recovery.

 

[stevesmi]

Problem is... its a week later and it is still giving me a little hell. It's not my shoulder though, its under my arm, like below the bicep, mainly in my arm pit. When I push the weight I can apply strength but I can't stabilize it.

if its a deep tear its gonna take a bit longer.. be a lil patient.

 

[Judo Tom]

muscles heal pretty quickly... lots of blood flow and its easy to get extra blood flow there

tendons/ligament/soft tissue heals very slowly... not much blood flow and hard to get extra blood to flow there

TENS will help more with soft tissue because it can get a bit more blood to flow to the area.