50-year-old technology that helps relieve pain, reduced to the size of less than the palm of your hand. So we put the new electrical stimulation device, which is distributed in Israel, to the test.
By ZEEV YANAIUpdated: AUGUST 7, 2024 08:49 TENS Hidow device (photo credit: PUBLIC RELATIONS)
Well, it's time to reveal the best-kept secret of athletes - sports are harmful to health. Although, for the most part, sports are less harmful to our body than sitting comfortably on the couch. But nevertheless, those involved in sports, even if they are amateurs, occasionally find themselves injured and even quite professionally.
Even I, who spend many hours in what very generous people would call "running", discover again and again the price of a healthy lifestyle: having a long-term relationship with physical therapists and other healers for pain, inflammation and tight muscles.
I got to know the Hidow Tens device, which treats with electrical stimulation, at the physiotherapy institutes. In some it is the size of a huge car battery, in others (as in the case of the XPD I examined) it is small, elegant and disappears in the palm of the hand. In any case, the device connects pads to you via cables, while in your mind questions arise whether this is healing or torture. The answer is yes…
The first use: Treatment of pain, tense muscles and inflammation
The electrodes that adhere to the skin transmit electric currents between them that affect the muscles and nerves. The XPD device works with two technologies. The first is TENS, which focuses on immediate pain relief. The electrical stimulation on the one hand blocks the passage of the pain signal from the painful point to the brain. According to the company, it also contributes to the release of endorphins, which also relieve pain. The importer states that this is the only Tens device in Israel with FDA approval.
My initial experiment with the device was after the Herzliya race. The result in time was excellent. The result for my right foot was less. An old pain resurfaced after two years of blessed absence. Alludes to its continuation - inflammation to disable me sometimes for weeks. I remembered the package that arrived in the mail, and I said to myself, that this time I would not wait for an appointment for physical therapy and take care of myself. In less than an hour of treatment, the pain was gone. After three such treatments in the following days - the pain that always turned into inflammation disappeared. Five weeks later, and the pain has not returned. The device worked for me.
The XPD, sold in Israel exclusively by the AA network. Orthopedics, is used to treat a wide variety of problems and different types of pain, starting with muscle pain, back, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, ears and head to treating problems such as mental stress, chronic pain conditions, menstrual pain and body discomfort. It should not be used on pregnant women, those with pacemakers, in conditions of epilepsy, open wounds or skin problems.
TENS Hidow device (credit: PUBLIC RELATIONS)
The second use: Training without training
The second technology is called EMS, in which electrical stimulation is sent to the treated muscle and causes it to contract and relax automatically and without effort on the part of the patient/user. This, even in situations where it is difficult to perform the operation alone. In this way the muscle is re-educated to function properly, strengthened and developed. According to the concept that guides the world of EMS.
So what's in the box?
The XPD comes in two versions. One has 12 programs that perform different types of treatment operations, and the other has 18. Using a button, select the program, the duration (10-60 minutes) and adjust the intensity, which can be increased or decreased. It is recommended to choose the strength yourself and not let an angry child decide on it. don't ask how i know
The device allows working with two sets of pads. This way you can treat two areas at the same time. The package comes with one set of large round pads and one set of large rectangular pads. You can purchase additional aids for the treatment of designated areas, such as a belt or designated hugs for the knee, elbow or waist.
Price: NIS 800 for 12 programs, 18 programs for NIS 1,165 and additional electrodes and aids ranging from NIS 25 to 250 (on the AA Orthopedia network website).
