HoMedics iheal

Has anyone used this pain relief which works on pulsed, electro-magnetic field? It says not for pacemaker users but I wonder whether it's just CYA again. If I wanted to use it on lower back or knees is it likely to cause any problem? Would I be ok to try it, and what should I look out for ?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Sue

6 Comments

Thanks !

by Suzie_G - 2014-04-05 06:04:14

Well that is fairly conclusive ! I will leave the iheal to the OH and put up with the pain.

Thank you for your help.
Sue.

don

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-05 07:04:18

You know that was a high compliment, right?

proceed with caution

by Tracey_E - 2014-04-05 08:04:56

I don't know exactly how it works but even I, who generally assumes 99% of caution labels are cya, would probably pass on this. I'll be interested to see what Don has to say, he understands more about how a pulsing field would work than I do. You could maybe try it on an extremity, definitely keep it away from your torso. That's what I was told when I went to PT and they wanted to use electro-stim. Maybe take it to a pm check and ask your rep? I did that when I bought the magnetic cover for my ipad. I am fairly careless around little magnets but thought the cover might be over the top. (it was not, I use it all the time)

There is a switch in the pm. A magnet pulls that switch closed when they test it. When that happens, it paces at a steady rate (usually 60) until the magnet is moved, then the switch opens and it returns to full function with no harm done. So, if you accidentally got too close to a magnet, you'd feel like you do when they test it. Really, while it's best to avoid it of course, it's pretty harmless unless you're near a big industrial magnet, something strong enough to do more than pull the switch closed.

Waiting for one of the engineer geeks to come in with a better explanation...

Hey! I've acheived...

by donr - 2014-04-05 09:04:34

...GEEK status! That's almost as good as a PhD! Bestowed by Tracey. Gee, Tracey, I'm honored. Makes me feel all humble - but just a little bit proud!

Ah,but back to the subject at hand. The home remedy TENS unit.

I read the manual on line & would NOT use one. Why? Because they tell us NOT to if we have a PM/ICD. Now that was written by their striped britches lawyer to cover a humongous Butt, but it is too much risk to take for the small potential gain.

This device operates using low level electric currents, as opposed to radiated EM fields. This NOT like a diathermy machine, which radiates EM energy into the body to generate local heat for sore, achy muscles.It has TWO electric poles - Plus & Minus; the small electric currents flow between them & since they are on either side of the device, & do not penetrate deeply into the body.

However - IF there is an electric current, no matter how small, there is an associated magnetic field. It will be weak, because this device generates only weak currents. It is, however, not something we should mess with - especially on the torso. Arms or legs - well, maybe, since they are pretty remote from the heart area. But is it worth it? In my book NO.

A note about the electric current - The device generates 35 very narrow pulses per second. Those very narrow pulses are getting into the very low end of the range of capability to radiate energy. Another reason for not taking the chance of interference w/ your PM/ICD.

Time to put my pocket protector away for a while & yield the podium to KAG, another Geek, who may agree or disagree w/ me.

Donr

Of course...

by donr - 2014-04-05 09:04:41

....that was a compliment. All of us strive to achieve Geek Status.
Finally made it after 55 plus yrs!

Din

Wow, now I'm honored

by KAG - 2014-04-06 11:04:30

Donr called me a Geek.

I'm not familiar with these devices, but know that Don would have done meticulous research on them. Based on Don's description I wouldn't use them on my torso, but maybe would consider an extremity. Only because the current is low and doesn't penetrate. I'd be laying down and prepared to have the person doing it ready to quickly pull it away. Is it worth it? I'd probably not do it.

I'm not sure of the value of these devices. If the point is to get your blood flowing and loosen up your muscles, I'd think that heat and/or massage would have similar effects.

A proud Geek
Kathy

You know you're wired when...

Airport security gives you free massages.

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