E-Stim

[mom_2x_2002]

Hi Can anyone give me advice about e-stim? Hannah(2) LBP was seen by a nerve specialist yesterday who suggested we try e-stim. I am just curious if anyone else has had this done to there child? And if so how it was for the child. I have 3 dr. opionions on it. And 2/3 say try it. So just getting a feel for other opionions.

[francine]

Emily - check this page

http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/estim.html
(just in case you haven't seen that one yet)

We don't do NMES - we do TES at night and we have seen very good results with it. We saw fluidity of motion about 6 weeks after we started - it was truly a marked difference.

-francine

[browning93]

TES at night is what we use and we wouldn't be without it! Michaela didn't make any great improvements till we used the TES. If it's being recommended I'd go for it! LeeAnne

[blakesmom]

We uses an NMES machine on Blake for his tricep for strengthening, the biceps were overpowering, thus he had a contracture. It is only used for short times during the day, preferable during therapy times(we did it when doing a lot of weight bearing). We told him it was his "tickles". We used it for about 9months and it worked o.k., but he plateaued and so TCH said to stop. It isn't exactly painful, but uncomfortable. He tolerated it if we would put a video on when we first applied the contacts and turned on the machine, he didn't like it at first, but he got used to it. He was about 2 1/2 when we started.

Hope this helped.

Crystal S.

[karen r]

What kind of e-stim does the nerve specialist recommend: TES (nighttime) or NMES (daytime)? We started both for our daughter when she was 2 1/2 yrs. old. We've logged over 3000 hrs. with TES. We started the NMES after we were established with TES so the transition to the electrodes wasn't difficult. The TES is very comfortable for our daughter; she doesn't mind it at all. We focus on the biceps; that's the last muscle to come in (she had primary surgery at 5 mo. old/secondary surgery for neurolosis of different nerves in her upper arm before she was 3 yrs. old). You'll have to find therapists trained in the treatment you need.

I think both types have benefited my daughter. We saw results from TES within a month or so: fluidity of movement for example. NMES causes a contraction of the muscle but it's uncomfortable so we have to really control the impulse. We do it a couple times a day for about 15 min. each. We see a local doctor once a week who uses e-stim in her practice. Otherwise, I do it at home. I think NMES has benefited my daughter too because it forces a contraction, strenghtening the muscle(s). You have to be dedicated to each kind of e-stim, otherwise it's a waste of time/money. It's a big committment on the part of the parent(s).

[mom_2x_2002]

The specialist said the one at night. I think we are going to give it a try. I guess it won't hurt. Thanks

Nicki

[francine]

nicki! sorry - I got my aliases mixed up...there are two that are almost alike I guess. Forgive me.

Btw - TES is a long term commitment - you can think of about 3-4 years early on, then a small break - then another 3-4 years to cover puberty. It's not something you will try and see results in a week or two either. Marked results are long term. We were told (for Maia's situation) that we would get at maximum 25% additional muscle growth doing it for 8 years. We're committed to it however. It brings more blood and growth hormones to the atrophied muscles and this is always a good thing anyway.

good luck,
francine