TENS Talk

11 Pages·0.258 MB·English

by  Jennifer Elisabeth Maiden

In this comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide,
inducing women will learn the ins and outs of
successful TENS unit stimulation.

“Tens Talk!” Copyright 2019 Jennifer Elisabeth Maiden. All rights reserved.
No portion of this work may be reprinted, reproduced, or redistributed in
any form, either written, digital, or otherwise without the author’s sole
permission.
The idea of using a TENS unit was something I considered fairly early into my personal re-lactation journey;
it was about 8 weeks in when I first heard about this inducing technique and started doing quite a bit of
research into the subject. What I discovered regarding the effectiveness of TENS stimulation wasn't much
different from the varying opinions on any other inducing method: it worked for some women...and for
others? It did not.

At the time, I was taking something of a "minimalist" approach to nursing; I really wanted a simple means
of re-producing breast milk, and didn't want to get so caught up in the inducing grind that I lost sight of
the true meaning of my ANR. Plus, things were going so well for me that I didn't really find the need to
add another form of stimulation into my daily routine.

Still, the thought was there...and it continued to intrigue.

I did even more research and had the chance to speak with many women who had found great success
with TENS stimulation, and even though I'd never personally induced with the aid of a TENS, I still felt (and
still feel, as a matter of fact) quite comfortable suggesting both this inducing method--and the nifty little
Healthmate Forever PM8IS (which I've become very familiar with over the years) to others.

So, if you’re ready to give this inducing method a try, let’s talk TENS!

WHAT IS A TENS UNIT?

A Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Unit is a medical device comprised of channels and
electrodes (pads). A TENS Unit produces a very low electrical micro-current that flows from one electrode
(pad) of each unit channel to the other electrode of the same channel. A single channel unit contains one
channel and two electrodes while a double unit is comprised of two channels and four electrodes. The
original use of a TENS Unit was meant to stimulate the body's nerves in an effort to mask pain, but its
purpose in aiding lactation is to actively stimulate the nerves of the breast, particularly in the nipple and
areola, in an effort to release prolactin and encourage milk production.

When it comes to the world of inducing and re-lactation, the nursing woman is provided with a number
of milk-making options, and none of us are truly limited by choice. However, no matter which timeless,
tried and true technique, or combination of techniques, we choose to utilize to help us along the way,
none will bring us success if we don't use them correctly, and TENS Unit stimulation is no exception to
this rule!

While it is not meant to replace more traditional methods of breast stimulation, such as suckling, hand
expression, or pumping, the TENS Unit is increasing in popularity as an effective form of inducing lactation
for the busy and active woman. The unit, which is very compact and lightweight, can be slipped into a bra
or pocket, and because it produces no audible vibration or noise, it can be used discreetly while you're at
work, running errands, or involved in any other day-to-day activity.

SHOULD I USE A SINGLE OR DOUBLE UNIT?

If you choose to induce lactation by using the TENS method, it is best to select a double channel unit so
you will be able to conveniently stimulate both breasts simultaneously. The TENS Unit relies on the skin
of your breasts to act as an electrical conductor when the pads are in place.
HOW DO I USE MY TENS?

To properly use your TENS unit, stand in front of a mirror and use one channel for your left breast and the
second channel for your right breast. The pads may be marked to identify a positive (+) electrode and a
negative (-) electrode. Beginning with your left side, apply the positive electrode to your breast,
approximately one inch from the side of your nipple, and then apply the negative pad directly across from
it, one inch from the opposite side of your nipple. Repeat this process with the second channel, placing
the pads on either side of your right nipple. When looking in the mirror, the unit's channels, electrodes,
and your nipples should be well-aligned, and it should look something like this:

+Electrode (breast) Left nipple (breast) -Electrode (cleavage) -Electrode (breast) Right nipple (breast)
+Electrode, or:

(+ o -) (- o +), which signifies the proper electrode placement and alignment when looking in a mirror.

Once the pads are in place, you can get dressed and begin stimulation simply by turning on the unit.

A TENS Unit can be used every two hours for 15 minutes at a time. After 15 minutes, stimulation to
encourage prolactin release becomes ineffective, which further impedes the milk-making process.

NO TENS UNIT IS CREATED EQUALLY

Your TENS Unit may be equipped with a variety of mode, stimulation, and/or intensity options, and below
are a few basic setting guideline suggestions that you may find helpful:

Wave Form: Choose the form that is indicative of massage.

Amplitude: Use this to adjust the currency, setting it low to create a light tingling in the nipple and areola.

Pulse Width: This function determines how long each pulse lasts and should be set in a manner that is
comparable to that of an infant's suction, which is normally half of a second in length; you can set the
width to the longest possible pulse, which is typically 250 us.

Frequency: This setting is used to determine how often your breast will be stimulated while the TENS is in
use and should also closely compare to the rate of an infant's suckling mouth, so set this to 70.

Although quite useful in helping to stimulate the breasts, a TENS Unit cannot empty them, and because
proper milk removal is key to lactation success, you will need to use a form of expression following TENS
stimulation.

ARE TENS UNITS SAFE?

A final and very important note concerning the use of a TENS Unit is a matter of heart health and physical
well-being. The amperage of an electrical current can cause heart arrhythmia, although most physicians
agree that, because TENS units have a very small micro-amperage current, it would be unlikely that the
device would cause problems for most women, concurring that it is safer to use a double channel unit
with four pads, placing two electrodes on each breast rather than a single channel unit, as this allows the
current to travel through the electrodes rather than through the chest. If you have an implanted
pacemaker or defibrillator, you should not use a TENS unit.

As always, it is best to consult your health care provider with health concerns and safety issues. He or she
will be able to answer any questions that you may have regarding the personal use of a TENS unit, and
help you decide if the device is right for you.

PUTTING MY OWN TENS TO THE LACTATION TEST!

There are many TENS Units available on the market, but my personal favorite is the Healthmate Forever
TENS Unit PM8IS because it takes a lot of the guesswork out of the inducing and maintenance process!

On the PM8IS, Mode number 1 is Tapping, and while I thought this might be a viable inducing tool, after
testing it, I found that it is not. No matter the intensity and frequency combinations I tried, it was far too
intense (and by intense, I mean super painful) for the delicate tissue of the breasts.
(Ouch!)

Tuina and Cupping are two practices used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that are now believed
to be effective means of aiding in the lactation process--and both massage modes are built into the PM8IS,
which means you'll be stimulating those breasts in minutes, with just the touch of two buttons.

Never touch the electrodes or apply the pads to the breasts (or any other body part) while the unit is
turned on. This will cause an electrical shock. Be sure the unit is turned off before removing the pads from
your lovely ladies. (Did I learn this from experience? Nope, but poor Mr. S did, quite by
accident, and gave himself a jolt!)

The idea behind using a TENS Unit to successfully trigger breast milk production and flow is to set its
functions to perfectly mimic an infant's suckling patterns; while there are some basic guidelines as to how
to do this already set into place, it can be difficult to follow them because every TENS works a bit
differently, and not all units on the market offer the same functions, features, and modes. This means, of
course, that it can take a bit of time--and a lot of practice--to find your ideal frequency, amplitude, and/or
pulse settings.

The photo below shows the PM8IS as it appears when the unit is turned on. The circular numerical
display indicates mode; the horizontal lines to the left display frequency (or how many times your unit
will stimulate per second) while the horizontal bars to the right show intensity (or how forcefully your
unit will stimulate during the inducing process.)
While this unit offers a total of 8 modes (3 for massage and 5 to provide pain relief), only Modes 2
(Tuina) and 3 (Cupping) will be necessary for inducing and/or maintaining.

o When using Tuina mode, set the frequency to 4 with an intensity of either 3 or 4.
o When using Cupping mode, set the frequency to 10 with an intensity of 3.

You can consider switching between Modes 2 and 3 throughout the day. Begin by using Tuina massage
for the entire 15 minutes, and then use the Cupping feature during your next inducing session. Continue
to alternate throughout the day, ending your stimulation with 15 minutes of Tuina.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE PM8IS

The Basics

The PM8IS will arrive neatly packaged in a small, compact box, and it includes everything you'll need to
begin stimulating within minutes.

o 1 FDA cleared Class II OTC unit
o 4 self-adhesive reusable gel pads
o 2 sets of electrode wires
o 2 AAA batteries
o 1 pad holder
o User manual
o Warranty card

The PM8IS is considered a double channel unit, which means each electrode (or lead) wire will require the
use of 2 pads. Not only does this provide you with the ability to stimulate your breasts simultaneously, it
gives you a bit of a safety net, as, when it comes to breast stimulation, double channel units are considered
a safer alternative to single channel models.
Its ergonomic design offers a sleek, lightweight, palm-sized, and very easy to manage unit that measures
2.75" x 4.25" x .75" and weighs just about 3.3 ounces. It's incredibly quiet, very discreet, and the batteries,
which are easy to insert, remove, and replace, mean that you can induce on the go without having to
worry about finding an outlet or other power source. The length of the electrode wires gives you plenty
of wiggle room, and the attached belt clip provides a lot of flexibility. Discretion is extremely important to
me, and I've found that I can use my PM8IS practically anywhere without drawing unwanted attention my
way.

The hand-shaped gel pads are very nice and comfy, and they stay firmly in place even after repeated use,
(After stimulating for approximately 45 hours over a month-long period of time , I was still able to use my
original pads.) but their size may be an issue for women with smaller breasts; after giving the hand pads
a try and deciding if they cover too much of your areolae, you can purchase a set of smaller, oval shaped
pads to use with your PM8IS.

Some of my favorite features include:

o The backlit animated LCD screen
o Varying massage modes
o Adjustable frequency and intensity

The LCD screen is small, measuring just 1.5" x 1", but it is crisp, clear, easy to read, and lights up beautifully,
and the unit offers 8 massage modes; 1,2, and 3 are considered standard (and these are really the only
ones you'll need for inducing), and the remaining 5 are designed to provide pain relief to more specific
areas of the body. Another wonderful thing about the PM8IS is that it allows you to fully customize your
personal inducing experience by sort of mixing and matching the frequency and intensity of the
stimulation session.

Mode Selection

When using the PM8IS, I tried several combinations to determine what would best simulate traditional
suckling, but I focused on Mode #2 (Tuina) and Mode #3 (Cupping). This is because both TCM massage
techniques have long been used to successfully trigger lactation and promote breast milk production and
flow. I loved that this TENS took the guesswork out of the inducing process, and made the experience so
simple for me!

You really learn early on what works for you--and what doesn't. I was reminded of this when I gave mode
#1 a whirl. Tapping, it is referred to. No. Tattooing is more like it. My goodness, I could not turn the unit
off fast enough. No matter how low I adjusted the frequency and intensity, mode 1 was absolutely too
intense for my breasts. It hurt...a lot. So, unless you're into that sort of thing, are equipped with a
superhuman pain tolerance level, or happen to have breasts of steel, I would not recommend the Tapping
mode for lactation inducing.

No Fuss, No Muss

I like the simple things in life, and when it comes to the art of lactation, sometimes very little can be
defined as simple. However, using the PM8IS is simple, and because it's so powerful and efficient, it makes
you believe that it is truly getting the job done! A wonderful bonus to having this cute little hands-free
stimulator is the ease of use. There isn't a plastic bag filled with loose parts, a lot of complicated
instructions to follow, or knobs, buttons, and levers to configure. It is a beautifully streamlined unit that
allows you to begin stimulating within moments of following these simple steps.

1. Insert the included AAA batteries into the compartment located at the back of the device just below
the belt clip.

2. Plug the electrode wires into the tiny ports located at the top of the unit.

3. Snap the pads into place.

4. Place them on your breasts.

5. Turn on the unit, select your mode, frequency, and intensity, and begin stimulating.

This image shows the PM8IS' front panel:

The sample screen displays the mode selection options (this is the numbered circle; your number will
begin to flash once you've selected a form of stimulation by pressing the round MODE button located just
below the screen), a frequency set to 10 (the horizontal bars to the left of the 60 minute auto timer
display; you control the frequency by pressing the + or - buttons located to the left of the MODE button),
and a level 10 intensity (the horizontal bars to the right of the mode selection; you control the intensity
by pressing the + or -buttons located to the right of the MODE button).

That's all there is to it!

You really can't get much easier than that!
Because it's so lightweight and compact, the PM8IS is portable and travel-friendly, and can be easily
disassembled and re-packaged in its original box for discreet and easy storage. (I keep mine in my nursing
bag!)

Clean up is a breeze; just wipe down your unit with a soft, barely damp cloth, and you're ready to go!

Entering the Guilt-Free Zone

We've all been there. You know what I'm talking about: those days when you don't have the time (or
even energy) to pull out the pump or set your otherwise busy hands to work on your breasts. It happens
and it is okay. This is just another reality of inducing. But that doesn't mean that taking some time off
doesn't cause unnecessary feelings of guilt or stress. The PM8IS can take care of that for you by providing
a day's worth of effective, hands-free deep tissue stimulation. Just remember, on most days, this is an
addition rather than an alternative; I have never spoken to anyone who has managed to induce lactation
by relying solely on a TENS unit, but there's no harm in taking a break and letting your PM8IS do the job
every so often!

Length of Stimulation
The prescribed TENS "protocol" suggests a woman stimulate her breasts for 15 minutes every two hours,
and this is an excellent rule of thumb, one I followed while using my own TENS. I spaced my stimulation
sessions out to allow an hour between nursing and pumping sessions, and ended up stimulating about 90
minutes (or six times) per day.

The only downfall to the PM8IS is its built-in 60-minute timer. Since the unit will provide an hour's worth
of continuous massage, you'll have to keep track of time and manually turn the machine off after you're
done inducing. (In a more traditional world, this feature would be a definite plus; for us in the adult nursing
world, not so much.) I switched between modes 2 and 3 throughout the day.

A Pleasant Tingling Sensation

This is a phrase used to describe not only the sensations a TENS evokes when it is placed onto the breasts,
but as a way to gauge its effectiveness, as in you'll know it's working when you begin to feel a pleasant
tingling sensation.

Is it an accurate assessment?

I wouldn't describe the feels in quite the same way, but you'll definitely know that the PM8IS is working
its milk-making magic! Thanks to its design and mode options, you can honestly feel it providing the deep
massage stimulation required during the use of more traditional manual expression techniques. The
stimulation felt very nice; it was intense, but comfortably so, and afterwards, my breasts felt warm,
relaxed, and "worked out". If you experience tightness or pain, you'll probably need to lower your level of
intensity. (Oh, and did I happen to mention that you should
avoid Tapping? Trust me, it's worth repeating. )

A TENS Will Make You Leak

I've heard that a TENS will cause breast milk to run, but, even as a fully lactated woman, I personally did
not experience this problem, although I was prepared for it. A few times, I did find a wet spot or two in
my bra following stimulation, but for the most part, I remained completely dry. I think the leakage issue
probably has a lot to do with breast capacity and the individual woman who uses the unit. Even as an
exclusively breastfeeding mother, I was never much of a "leaker". When first beginning the inducing
process, this isn't going to be a concern anyway. Later on, you can determine how your body responds to
TENS stimulation and be ready for any inevitabilities.

Breast Milk Without Breaking the Bank

Depending on how you choose to induce, the process can be expensive, but it definitely doesn't have to
be. At under $30.00, the PM8IS is an economical addition to your little milk-making arsenal, and if you
purchase your unit from the Healthmate Forever website, you can usually find coupon/discount codes
that can be applied to your purchase. (Extra savings? Yes, please!)

Also Good to Know

Purchasing the PM8IS can be done in a matter of moments. The Healthmate Forever site provides a
smooth and streamlined secure checkout process that even allows you to buy using your Paypal
account. 3-5 day domestic shipping is absolutely free, and International shipping is available.
Finding accessories and replacement parts is a breeze; the site has everything you need at affordable
prices. There are 4 PM8IS accessory kits available, and you can easily add one to your order.

This unit is listed beneath the site's BEST SELLERS list, and has received a 5-star rating across the board.

And, now, to answer the pressing question...

Did it work?

I think I might be a little too far along in my personal lactation journey to honestly determine the 100
percent effectiveness of using a TENS unit to produce breast milk. My body is currently in "maintenance
mode" (which means I'm working to maintain my pre-existing supply rather than trying to build it), so I
did not experience an increase in volume or output, although let-down did seem to occur even easier and
much faster after stimulation, which is a pretty wonderful thing since triggering MER can be incredibly
difficult for many adult nursing women. But again, like anything else in the world of inducing, my results
are individualized, and others may experience something a little different from using TENS stimulation.

Unfortunately, life has presented me with several new stressors over the past 6 months, and my PM8IS
has provided a lot of relief, ensuring that I'm able to maintain wherever the day may take me (and, boy,
has it taken me to some unexpected places!) and giving me some much-needed peace of mind.

After two months of daily TENS-ing, I can truthfully say that I do believe this is an effective form of inducing
and maintaining that easily provides hours of additional and easy-to-manage breast stimulation. As a
matter of fact, I plan to continue using my own unit during the upcoming days and weeks that follow. I'm
a total fangirl of TENS stimulation and the PM8IS, and highly recommend both the technique and this
particular product toothers!

For more information, or to purchase your PM8IS, please visit www.healthmateforever.com!
*AUTHOR’S NOTE: While this information was previously published in 2019, I continue to use the PM8IS
during my daily inducing routine. The unit has withstood the test of time with no issues and continues to
provide the same effectiveness. As reported in this guide, my results have remained unchanged.