TENS/EMS question

I am new to this NG and need some information. I have problem with lower
back pain. I first had it 10-12 years ago and it has returned. The last
time I went to physical therapy and learned exercises to help this and I
also received some massage/electro stimulus as treatment.

Now, my doctor has told me to get a TENS unit. This is not like the electro
stimulus that I had before which I think was aimed at building muscle in the
lower back/abdomen. This thing masks pain, which really doesn't sound like
a good idea for me as I would prefer to fix the root cause. It seems like
TENS would be good if the root cause was known and couldn't be fixed so that
finding a pain management thing would be a good route. What do you think?

Second, if I get a TENS unit, which one to get? It looks to me like they
are all imported $5 pieces of asian crap pushed into our hands by the
healthcare industry. No two have the same name and there are literally
1000's of these things. Few give you any features or specifications and
instead claim specs like "easy to wear" and "easy to read".... my
aeropostale Tee shirt fits their specs perfectly. Every company out there
seems to be a ditributor of these things and the manufacturers are unknown.
So, which brands/sources do you suggest?

Third, while looking at TENS units I see EMS devices. These are of more
interest to me. In fact, these things seem to do the exact same things,
some are even in the exact same cases/packages. Prolly just different
software in them. So, what do I get (brand/unit)? IS a "dual unit" capable
of TENS and EMS a good idea? Is there a combo I should get? How many
channels do I get? etc.

Sorry for the stupid questions but I want to get moving on this and I don't
want to end up at PT with them pushing some $5 piece of asian crap into my
hands (and charging insurance $250) and then I find out I really should have
gotten something else. I am betting that this group has suffered through
this situation already and can point me in the right direction quickly....

Thanks for your help!
-Sax


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