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By Joel Laneville

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TENS Unit Review: Icy Hot Smart Relief vs. HM8ML HealthmateForever

January 2, 2019 By Joel Leave a Comment

Aches and pains are a part of life. The older we get the more we tend to notice and feel those aches and pains. To help with those aches and pains, I have used TENS Units for relief.

TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator. A TENS Unit helps relieve pain by sending small electrical impulses through electrodes. These electrodes are placed on your skin and send stimulating pulses along nerve strands. The impulses help reduce pain by signaling your body to release endorphins, which act as a natural painkiller.

There are many different TENS Units on the market today, but I want to review with you the two that I have used.

Icy Hot Smart Relief Back & Hip

The first TENS Unit that I tried was the Icy Hot Smart Relief Back & Hip. After experiencing some pain in my lower back after doing yard work, I decided to give it a try.

The Pros

You can pick one of these units up at most of your local grocery stores in the pharmacy section.

Replaceable Battery
This unit takes a standard 3V (CR 3032) watch battery.

Automatic Shut-off
After 30 minutes of use, the unit automatically shuts-off.

Reusable
Everything is reusable. As long as you take care of the electrode pads, you can use them over and over again.

Portable
The unit is portable and doesn’t have any wires. You can use it while doing your normal daily activities without anyone knowing.

Intensity Levels
You can adjust the intensity levels to fit your needs. There are a total of 63 levels.

Cost
The Icy Hot TENS Unit costs about $30.

The Cons

There are a few cons that I wanted to point out as well.

Hard to Use
While the unit does work, I have noticed that it works best right out of the box. After a while, it is hard for me to get the unit to work even after replacing the battery.

Intensity Levels
While the unit does have 63 Levels, it does not have a screen display to see what level you are on. Also, if it is on your back, it is hard to access the buttons on the control unit.

 

HM8ML HealthmateForever TENS Unit & Muscle Stimulator

I aggravated my lower back again recently. Getting kids in and out of their car seats is tricky. And as the kids get older, they get heavier. The twisting and turning, combined with their weight can put anyone’s back at risk for aggravation. I’ve received many adjustments and muscle stimulation treatments from my chiropractor but decided to try HM8ML HealthmateForever TENS Unit & Muscle Stimulator to use at home.

The Pros

After using the HealthmateForever TENS Unit, I have fallen in love with a few of their features.

Rechargable
This unit has a built-in lithium battery with up to 10 hours of continuous use.

LCD Display
The unit has an LCD display, and it is easy to check all your settings before and during use.

8 Modes
The HM8ML has 8 modes. This means that it is not just for your back. You can place the electrode pads to help with the following areas of pain:

  • Lower Back
  • Sciatic
  • Deltoid
  • Upper Arm
  • Elbow
  • Hip & Thigh
  • Knee
  • Calf
  • Abs/Shoulder
  • Ankle/Foot

Adjustable Timer
You can adjust the treatment to be 10 to 60 minutes long.

Portable
The unit is portable. You can use it while doing your normal daily activities; however, you do have the wire to contend with.

Reusable
Everything is reusable. As long as you take care of the electrode pads, you can use them over and over again.

Intensity Levels
There are 20 levels of intensity that you can adjust to fit your comfort.

Outputs
The control unit has 2 outputs. This means you can run 4 electrode pads at the same time.

Cost
The HealthmateForever TENS Unit costs about $30.

The Cons

While there are a lot of pros, there are a few minor disadvantages.

Wires
The wires are hard to conceal.

Control Unit Quality
The control unit feels lightweight and inexpensive, more like a kid’s toy than a well-built control unit.

 

Risks of Using a TENS Unit

While I love using a TENS Unit, I consulted my doctor before buying one, and you should, too. A TENS Unit is not for everyone.

If you say yes to any of the following, you should NOT use a TENS Unit:

  • You have poor sensation.
  • You are pregnant.
  • You have cancer.
  • You have a pacemaker.

A TENS Unit should never be used around the following areas:

  • Around the heart
  • On the head
  • Over the throat
  • Over breast tissue
  • Directly over the spinal column
  • Broken skin areas or wounds

 

Final decision

After using both TENS Units, my top choice is the HM8ML HealthmateForever TENS Unit & Muscle Stimulator. Here’s why:

  • Low Cost
  • LCD Screen
  • Rechargeable
  • Intensity levels are much better
  • Ability to run 4 electrodes at a time
  • Costs a few dollars less than the Icy Hot Smart Relief kit
  • Electrode Pads are reusable

The only issue that I have come across is that I need assistance to properly place the electrode pads on my back. I usually feel relief after using the HM8ML HealthmateForever TENS Unit & Muscle Stimulator.

If your area of pain does not improve, you will need to consult a doctor as your issue may need further chiropractic care, physical therapy, or another form of treatment in order to get better.

Do you have any experience with TENS Units? Which one have you used? Let me know about your experiences in the comments below.

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